A New Mission for Julie Payette
2017/2018 • Issue 1 What in the World? • Level 2 • Article - 1 -
On July 13, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Julie Payette will become Canada’s 29th governor general. The 53-year-old former astronaut takes on the new mission this fall, when David Johnston, the current governor general, steps down. She will be the fourth woman to assume the role.
“From the first moment the idea came up, it was obvious to me that she would make an extraordinary governor general,” said the Prime Minister. “She is unquestionablyqualified.”
Talent And Hard Work
The Montreal native speaks both English and French, as well as Russian, Spanish, Italian, and German.
As a two-time shuttle astronaut, Ms. Payette is an accomplished scientist, engineer, and licenced pilot. She is also a skilled scuba diver, a gifted athlete, and a talented singer and musician who has performed with the Montreal Symphony and the celebrated Tafelmusik Chamber Choir in Toronto. In 2010, she carried the Olympic flag at the opening of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Diplomacy And Duty
The skills and experiences that made Ms. Payette one of Canada’s top astronauts should serve her well as governor general. She will play an ambassadorial role, hosting foreign heads of state and paying them official visits in return. She’ll also represent Canada at domestic events, ceremonies, and official visits.
Her duties include giving royal assent to new laws and swearing in the prime minister, other elected officials, and Supreme Court justices. She delivers the throne speech that officially opens every new session of Parliament. She also dissolves Parliament when a government’s time is up.
“It is a critical non-partisan role that can have a direct effect on the stability of Canada’s government,” said Andrew Scheer, the new leader of the federal Conservative Party.
Canada’s governor general is also Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, and she has the honour of awarding military medals and civilian honours like the Order of Canada.
Home Away From Home
Astronauts often sleep in very small places. Governors general, however, have a bit more room to spread their wings. Ms. Payette will perform many of her duties at one of her two official residences. Rideau Hall in Ottawa is a gracious 175-room residence surrounded by a 35-hectare park. An elegantly furnished wing of the historic Citadelle of Quebec is also at her disposal.
Both residences will fly the Governor General’s flag if she is present.
High Praise
Although Prime Minister Trudeau had a list of several promising candidates to consider, Ms. Payette was the only person he interviewed for the position.
“I know that Mme. Payette is going to make an extraordinary governor general. She represents the very best of Canadian values: openness to the world, curiosity, intellectual rigour and inspiration. She will continue to inspire generations of Canadians as she represents us at the very highestlevel.”
“I am very happy to have a second chance to represent Canada,” Ms.Payette said in response. “I have done so for years as an astronaut in outer space, and now I have the chance to do so again, but this time onEarth.
“I’m here to serve all Canadians of all backgrounds, of all walks of life, either new or not so new. It will be my pleasure.”
2017/2018 • Issue 1 What in the World? • Level 2 • Article - 1 -
From Aristocrats To Astronauts
Canada is a constitutional monarchy. We govern the country according to our own constitution, with the reigning king or queen of England as our head of state.
The governor general stands in for the monarch on state occasions. Though the role is largely ceremonial today, that wasn’t always the case.
From 1867 to 1952, Canada’s governors general were British aristocrats with titles like ‘duke’ or ‘lord’. In the early years, Canada’s government had autonomy over internal affairs, but the monarch, communicating via the governor general, had the final say on foreign affairs. As we matured from colony to country, the balance began to shift, and so did the role of the governor general.
In 1952, the first Canadian governor general, a diplomat named Vincent Massey, was appointed. His successor, Georges-Philéas Vanier, was a decorated military officer. Subsequent governors general alternated between francophone and anglophone, changing every five years or so, a tradition that continues today.
The prime minister usually selects a governor general from a shortlist of candidates. Royal approval is aformality.
Go For Launch
When Julie Payette was a child growing up in Montreal, she watched the Apollo space missions on TV. She listened as Neil Armstrong, the first person on the moon, declared “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
“Someday,” she promised herself, “that will be me.”
In 1992, Ms. Payette got her chance. That year, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) put out the call for new astronauts and received 5330 applications for only four spots in the program.
Marc Garneau, the Federal Minister of Transport, was on the selection committee. “We recognized that she was somebody with tremendous talent,” said the former astronaut. “It was a no-brainer.”
She flew her first mission in 1999, aboard the space shuttle Discovery. The new mission specialist helped to build the International Space Station (ISS), operating the Canadarm robotic arm.
From 2000 to 2007, she served as Chief Astronaut of the CSA. Then, in 2009, she visited the space station again, this time as a crewmember of the space shuttle Endeavour.
By the time she retired from the CSA, she’d spent 611 hours in space and travelled a total distance of 16 million kilometres. She was the second Canadian woman in space, after Roberta Bondar, and the first Canadian aboard the ISS.
2017/2018 • Issue 1 What in the World? • Level 2 • Article - 1 -
ambassador: an authorized representative or messenger
aristocrat: a person of high social rank
autonomy: freedom from external control or influence; independence
Commander-In-Chief: an officer in charge of all of the armed forces of a country, or a major subdivision of them
constitution: the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it
diplomat: an official representing a country abroad
hectare: a unit of area equal to 10,000 square metres
International Space Station: an orbiting space station used for scientific and space research, constructed between 1998 and 2011 by 15 nations
non-partisan: not supporting or controlled by a political party, special interest group, or the like
Order of Canada: established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation
royal assent: the official approval of the sovereign, required for the passage of all legislation under English parliamentary law
throne speech: a prepared speech read to members of Parliament when a session is opened, outlining the government’s agenda and focus for the forthcoming session
2017/2018 • Issue 1 What in the World? • Level 2 • Article - 1 -
2017/2018 • Issue 1 What in the World? • Level 2 • Article - 1 -
On The Lines
Answer the following in complete sentences:
1. Describe the type of government in Canada.
2. Describe the governor general’s ambassadorial role.
3. List at least three other duties or responsibilities of the governor general.
4. Who was the first Canadian governor general? When did he take office?
5. Who is the current governor general?
6. Who is responsible for selecting the governor general?
7. What did the prime minister announce on July 13?
8. List at least three of the new governor general’s qualifications and accomplishments.
9. Describe the two official residences of Canada’s governor general.
Between The Lines
An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. A plausible inference is supported by evidence in the article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article.
What inference(s) can you draw from the fact that although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a list of candidates to choose from, he only interviewed Ms. Payette for the position of governor general?
Beyond The Lines
Governors general in Canada have long stood for accomplishment and service. Sometimes their appointments carry a lot of symbolic power. For example, Adrienne Clarkson (1999-2005) was the first visible minority to assume the role. She was also the first who had not previously served as a soldier, diplomat, or politician. Michaëlle Jean (2005-2010) was a journalist who immigrated to Canada from Haiti. Romeo LeBlanc (1995-1999) was a teacher.
How did these impressive Canadians serve humanity before, during, and after their time as governor general? What causes did they promote? What political challenges did they face as governor general? Choose one Canadian who has occupied Rideau Hall and teach your classmates all about him or her.
Just Talk About It
1. Canada’s ties to the monarchy cost taxpayers more than $40 million per year. For what reasons could you argue that the benefits outweigh the expenses? For what reasons could you argue the opposite?
2. What skills do you suppose an astronaut must possess to be successful in his or her job? As you see it, which three of these skills will be most helpful to Julie Payette in her new role? Give reasons to support your responses.
3. Imagine that you were given the opportunity to meet our new governor general. What are three questions would you like to ask her? Why?
On Line
Note: The links below are listed at www.lesplan.com/en/links for easy access.
1. Watch a two-minute clip from CBC’s The National about Julie Payette becoming the next governor general at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtl-cO7Ma7
2. Explore images, articles, and teaching resources about the position of governor general – and learn more about all who have held it – at https://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=94
3. Listen to Prime Minister Trudeau and Julie Payette speak about her new role at
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-and-payette-speak-about-her-new-role-as-gg-1.4203643
4. Watch a 1999 CBC news broadcast about Julie Payette’s trip to the ISS at
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/995571267556
5. Join comedian Rick Mercer on a tour of Rideau Hall with Governor General David Johnston at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIHCDgXUgyE
Quiz
A New Mission For Julie Payette
Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer on the line beside each question:
______1. What type of government does Canada have?
a) Federal republic b) Constitutional monarchy
c) Democratic republic d) Monarchy
e) Constitutional republic
______2. Who is the current governor general of Canada?
a) Vincent Massey b) Georges Vanier
c) Stephen Harper d) Michaëlle Jean
e) David Johnston
______3. Which of the following is NOT an accomplishment or skill of Julie Payette?
a) she speaks six languages
b) she is a two-time space shuttle astronaut
c) she won two gold medals at the Vancouver Winter Olympics
d) she is a talented singer and musician
e) she is a licenced pilot
______4. True or False? Julie Payette will be the fourth woman governor general.
______5. True or False? The Queen of England selects Canada’s governor general.
6. Julie Payette is an excellent choice for Canada’s 29th governor general. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?
2017/2018 • Issue 1 What in the World? • Level 2 • Article - 1 -
2017/2018 • Issue 2 GT Free Article • Level 2 - 6 -