OTTAWA – Michaelle Jean says her term as Canada’s Governor General will end in September. Jean confirmed her departure after arriving in Senegal, the first stop of a 10-day official visit to Africa.
"I’m very focused right now on what I want to achieve until the end of my tenure, which will come at the end of September," Jean told reporters. "Normally, I was appointed for five years. And the end comes at the fifth anniversary of the installation, which is the end of September."
Jean’s comments were provided to Canwest News Service by her press office at Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General.
Talk of Jean’s departure has been swirling for weeks in Ottawa, following media reports Prime Minister Stephen Harper would not be extending her term.
The move clears the way for Harper’s first appointment to the high-profile and largely ceremonial post as Canada’s head of state.
Jean, a former CBC journalist who came to Canada from Haiti as a refugee, was appointed by former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin.
Since then, Jean, her husband and daughter have become familiar faces across the country.
Elegant, articulate and photogenic, Jean, 52, has earned a reputation as a passionate spokeswoman and model for young people and struggling visible minorities. She recently made an emotional return to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
The guessing game about who might succeed Jean and when Harper will make the call has been going on for weeks.
Some speculate Harper he will either name his pick for governor general on the eve of the Queen’s July visit to Ottawa, or while she is here.
Although Harper has not tipped his hand on who might be in line, several names have been tossed around in the media.
They include Rick Hansen, the man-on-motion hero from British Columbia, Inuit Leader Mary Simon, Newfoundlander Rick Hillier, the blunt-talking former defence chief, John de Chastelain, a former army chief and respected diplomat, and Preston Manning, the founder of the Reform party.
Considering the last two governors general have been women, Adrienne Clarkson followed by Jean, Harper may be under some pressure this time round to appoint a man.
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