Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is urging the prime minister to extend Michaelle Jean's term as Governor General when her current five-year stint expires in September.
The Canadian secretary to the Queen consulted Ignatieff on a successor at Stephen Harper's request.
Ignatieff says Jean has served her country with "distinction and honour" and deserves Canada's thanks.
He says Canadians were "deeply moved by her strong and passionate performance" after the devastating earthquake in her Haitian homeland, which is said to have killed more than 200,000 people.
Ignatieff says Jean's role in bringing attention to Haiti and its people's plight has been significant, profound and needs to be sustained.
He says Jean has also been a powerful advocate for aboriginal and Arctic peoples, and a proud commander-in-chief who has stood alongside Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
"As a francophone woman who overcame great obstacles to get where she is today, and as the first black Canadian appointed as Governor General, I can't imagine a better role model for young Canadians, particularly young girls," said Ignatieff.
Harper recently announced he would not be extending Jean's term.
Several names have been floated as potential successors, including disabled rights campaigner Rick Hansen; former defence chief John de Chastelain; Inuit leader Mary Simon and Reform party founder Preston Manning.
A Facebook page has even sprung up where tens of thousands are advocating actor William Shatner - Star Trek's Captain Kirk - for the job.
The terms of Canadian governors general have been extended several times, including those of Roland Michener, Jeanne Sauve and Adrienne Clarkson.
Said Ignatieff: "Ms. Jean has done a superb job. I am calling on Stephen Harper to reconsider his decision to replace her."
Extend term of role model Governor General, Ignatieff urges Harper
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Published on
May 1, 2010
- Published on July 1, 2010
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The Canadian Press ~ The News
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