Jean could face tough battle in bid for re-election
Praise flowed in from politicians of all stripes when former governor general Michaelle Jean was named the first woman leader of la Francophonie four years ago, but her support appears less unanimous as she prepares to seek another term.
Jean was named secretary general of the French-speaking nations’ organization in 2014, with a promise to promote economic development, gender equality and dialogue, especially among the developing African nations.
But in recent months she has been dogged by questions about her expenses, leading one Conservative MP to suggest she has become an embarrassment to Canada.
The expenses, which were reported by Quebecor media outlets, include a $500,000 renovation to her rented Paris residence and a $20,000 piano.
Quebec MP Alupa Clarke recently asked Francophonie Minister Marie-claude Bibeau how the Liberal party could justify supporting Jean for a second term given her “total lack of transpar- ence” in refusing to publicly explain the expenses.
Clarke’s colleague, Gerard Deltell, also piled on, claiming that “only Liberals” could be proud of Jean’s reign.
“Michaelle Jean has become an embarrassment to Canada,” he said in question period. “She has managed the organization in a completely irresponsible way.”
Bloc Quebecois MP Xavier Barsalou-duval also suggested the Liberals should not support Jean given various “scandals” during her tenure.
Jean, who was born in Haiti, was Canada’s governor general from 2005 to 2010.
The governments of both Canada and Quebec have pledged to support her if she seeks a second term, while conceding there is room to improve the organization’s financial management.
“Madame Jean has done excellent work at the level of the organization’s mission, she is promoting values that are dear to Canadians,” Bibeau said in response to the Conservative criticism. “The International Organization of la Francophonie needs a modernization in terms of its financial practices, and that’s what we’ll help them to do.”