Source: National Post

Last week, Post columnist Don Martin wrote of impending plans to replace the current Governor General, Michaelle Jean, with a new, more Harper-friendly model, perhaps as early as this summer. Early speculation has identified two likely candidates: retired Canadian Forces General John de Chastelain, a former ambassador to Washington and the man who oversaw the disarmament process in Ireland, and Mary Simon, a former ambassador (to Denmark) herself, as well as a professor and an Inuit leader.

As Martin mused, the selection of an Inuit to serve as the Governor General would be yet another tangible sign of Prime Minister Harper's desire to turn Canada into a northern power. (Personally, I think those six to eight Arctic patrol warships he promised would also be a pretty tangible sign. Any word on those, guys? Anyone? Anyone?)

Martin had something else interesting to say, though, about how the Prime Minister might go about choosing the next GG: "... Ms. Jean's resume is filled with everything Mr. Harper will reject for consideration as his governor general designate. Ms. Jean was a CBC television talent with an arts and culture pedigree and sovereignist links through her filmmaker husband. Mr. Harper will undoubtedly appoint someone less representative of the gala gang and more in keeping with his political agenda."

Well, as it turns out, Simon actually was a CBC journalist once, as a producer and announcer for CBC North. Interesting. (To his credit, Don knew this, but given that she's done a lot of things since, he decided to cut her a break. It's not like she'd move from right behind the anchor's desk to Rideau Hall.) But here's something even more interesting: Out of the last five Governors General, fully four have been former CBC journos. Eighty percent, in other words. Is prior experience at the Ceeb literally a requirement for the job?

It seems hard to believe, but it's true. Check out the list:

Michaelle Jean, served 2005-present: Began working for French-language Radio Canada in 1988 and moved over to English programming for the CBC by 1992.

Adrienne Clarkson, served 2000-2005: Starting working for the CBC first in 1964 as a freelance book reviewer, quickly rose through the ranks and became host of The Fifth Estate in 1975. She left the network for some time but returned to host her own show again in 1988.

Roméo LeBlanc, served 1995-1999: Worked as a journalist for Radio-Canada for seven years in the 1960s.

Ray Hnatyshyn, served 1990-1995: The exception that proves the rule, was a lawyer and politician before becoming the Governor General.

Jeanne Sauvé, served 1984-1989: French-language radio host for Radio-Canada over a career spanning 20 years.

None of this is to say that they weren't qualified, or to deny that the CBC has cranked out some good journalists. The people listed above were for the most part fine public servants and excellent representatives for Canada, serving with integrity and distinction. And whatever doubts I have about the merits of a taxpayer-funded media network, I don't confuse my dislike for the public funding with dislike for the reporting the CBC does, which is generally pretty good. (Excellent, in some cases.)

But the Governor General isn't just about representing Her Majesty in Canada, any more. It's about representing Canadians to the world, and let's face it, in a country as big and occasionally grumpy as ours, sometimes about representing us to each other. It's an important role and I don't begrudge them the money that goes into supplying the necessary military assets and all the pomp and circumstance the job requires. Maybe, though, before we appoint a new GG, we can  ask ourselves if CBC journalists are really the only thing joining us all together?

I have to walk a fine line here, because like I said above, I don't have problems with the prior GGs, nor do I think that Mary Simon would be a poor choice. Indeed, from what little of her I know, it seems she'd be a good one. But it's a big country, with tens of millions of people in it, and there are so many ways that Canadians can serve the public good that don't involve working for the CBC, or even being a journalist (not that I don't think I'd be great).

I guess what really worries me is that if this continues down a similar path, we'll be left with an ever dwindling pool of people to choose from. Peter Mansbridge? Why not? If anyone could make some bad news sound good with a rich, soothing delivery and a confident blank stare into a camera, it'd be him. Ron MacLean? Well, he'd obviously be good as a mediator of passionate disputes, God knows he has enough practice.

What about David Suzuki? I'm sure there's a depressing number of Canadians who'd think that's a grand idea, actually, but fortunately for the rest of us, he's too busy breaking into houses to sabotage beer fridges and play Lightbulb Fairy to take on the added responsibilities.

I don't know who the next Governor General will be. Whomever it is, I trust will do a fine job. But it'd be nice to see the net cast a bit wider this time. Let's see what other media organizations, or — dare I say it? — other professions altogether might be able to accomplish. The CBC can have the next one.

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