Jeanne Sauvé

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Jeanne Sauvé
Sauvé in 1987
23rd Governor General of Canada
In office
May 14, 1984 – January 28, 1990
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime Minister
Preceded byEdward Schreyer
Succeeded byRay Hnatyshyn
29th Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada
In office
April 14, 1980 – January 15, 1984
MonarchElizabeth II
Governor GeneralEdward Schreyer
Prime MinisterPierre Trudeau
Preceded byJames Jerome
Succeeded byLloyd Francis
More...
Personal details
Born
Jeanne Mathilde Benoît

(1922-04-26)April 26, 1922
Prud'homme, Saskatchewan, Canada
DiedJanuary 26, 1993(1993-01-26) (aged 70)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Political partyLiberal
Spouse
(m. 1948; died 1992)
Profession
  • Politician
  • journalist
Signature

Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé PC CC CMM CD (née Benoît; April 26, 1922 – January 26, 1993) was a Canadian politician and journalist who served as the first and to date only female Speaker of the House (1980–1984) and as the first female Governor General of Canada (1984–1990).

Sauvé was born in Prud'homme, Saskatchewan, and educated in Ottawa and Paris, prior to working as a journalist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). She was then elected to the House of Commons in 1972, whereafter she served as a minister of the Crown until 1980, when she became the Speaker. She was in 1984 appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as the 23rd governor general since Canadian Confederation, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau, to replace Edward Schreyer as vicereine, and she occupied the post until succeeded by Ray Hnatyshyn in 1990. She was the first woman to serve as Canada's governor general and, while her appointment as the Queen's representative was initially and generally welcomed, Sauvé caused some controversy during her time as vicereine, mostly due to increased security around the office, as well as an anti-monarchist attitude towards the position.

On November 27, 1972, Sauvé was sworn into the

Hodgkin's lymphoma
, on January 26, 1993.

The highest trophy for the Canadian Ringette Championships, the major national competition for the sport of ringette, is named in her honour. Initially called the Jeanne Sauvé Cup, it was post-humously renamed the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup.

Early life, youth, and first career

Sauvé was born in the Fransaskois community of Prud'homme, Saskatchewan, to Charles Albert Benoît and Anna Vaillant, and three years later moved with them to Ottawa, where her family had previously lived. In Ottawa, her father would take her to see the bronze bust on Parliament Hill of Canada's first female Member of Parliament (MP), Agnes Macphail.[2] Sauvé studied at Notre Dame du Rosaire Convent in Ottawa, becoming head of her class in her first year, and continued her education at the University of Ottawa, working for the government of Canada as a translator in order to pay her tuition. At the same time, Sauvé actively involved herself in student and political affairs; at the age of 20, she became the national president of the Young Catholic Students Group, which employed her in 1942, necessitating her move to Montreal.[2]

The Sorbonne in Paris, where Sauvé obtained her degree in French civilization

It was there that Sauvé met

Radio-Canada.[3]

After success on her first radio programme, Fémina, Sauvé was moved to CBC television and focused her efforts on covering political topics on both radio and television, in both English and French. She soon drew attention to herself and was frequently invited by her friend Gérard Pelletier as a panellist on the controversial show Les Idées en Marche, there revealing her left-wing political ideologies. This absorption of a woman into the traditionally male world of political journalism and commentary was unusual, yet Sauvé managed to be taken seriously, even being given her own television show, Opinions, which covered "such taboo subjects as teenage sex, parental authority, and student discipline". On air from 1956 to 1963, "it was the show that made Jeanne famous".[4] However, Sauvé also attracted negative attention due to her husband's eventual elevation as a Crown minister; in a piece in The Globe and Mail, Progressive Conservative MP Louis-Joseph Pigeon expressed concern over the wife of a minister being paid "fabulous sums by the CBC", calling the circumstances a "shame and a scandal".[3]

Parliamentary career

Speaker of the House
, sitting in the chair at the far centre

It was the

environment portfolio until 1975, when she was appointed Minister of Communications
.

In the 1979 election, Sauvé won the riding of Laval-des-Rapides, but the Liberals lost their majority in the commons to the Progressive Conservative Party; she thus lost her Cabinet position. She remained MP for her riding after the federal election of 1980, which saw both the Liberals returned to majority position.

Speaker of the House of Commons

Trudeau returned to position of prime minister of the

Speaker of the House of Commons.[5] Because she strongly desired to campaign for the "No" forces in the weeks leading up to Quebec's 1980 referendum on separation from Canada, Sauvé initially refused the offer to run for the non-partisan position. But she eventually acquiesced after Trudeau convinced her that she was the right person for the job and she received permission from the leaders of all the parties in the House of Commons to engage in the federalist campaign in Quebec.[6]
She became the first female Speaker of the House.

In her early days as speaker, Sauvé often made mistakes with the names of MPs or the ridings they represented—once calling on the Prime Minister as the "leader of the opposition"—and occasionally miscarried procedural rulings, which led to MPs addressing her with increasing curtness. Further, all 32 of the

New Democratic Party MPs in the house walked out in protest of what they viewed as a bias on Sauvé's part; they felt she allowed Liberal MPs to ask more questions than those from any other party. In a CBC interview, Sauvé conceded that the NDP members may have been right that the Liberals may have been allowed more questions over two or three days, but, on the whole, each party received an equal number of opportunities. It was also speculated that MPs had taken to showboating for the television cameras that had recently been installed in the chamber.[6]

Sauvé did, however, find success in implementing reforms that professionalised the speaker's tasks of managing expenses and staff for the House of Commons, cutting back on the excess bureaucracy, personnel, overtime waste, and costs she discovered upon her installation. Once the changes were made, Sauvé had reduced the commons' support personnel by 300 and saved $18 million out of the annual expenses, all of which, to some, actually improved overall service. Sauvé was lauded, by MPs and the media alike, for her courage in challenging the establishment. Other MPs, though, stated that she had gone too far and balked at the resulting inconveniences, such as having to clear their own plates in the commons cafeteria. At the same time, Sauvé also established the first

daycare for Parliament Hill staff, MPs, and senators.[7]

She also presided over debates on

Whip
refused to appear in the Commons to indicate that the opposition was ready for a vote. Despite pressure from the government that she intervene to break the deadlock, Sauvé maintained that it was up to the parties to resolve it themselves through negotiation.

Governor General of Canada

Sauvé was the first female governor general in

Governor-General of Belize
.

As governor general-designate

It was in December 1983 announced from the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada that Trudeau had put forward Sauvé's name to Queen Elizabeth II as his recommendation on who should succeed Edward Schreyer as the Queen's representative. In the national media, the reception was generally positive, with Sauvé's elegance, refined nature, and bilingualism viewed as an asset to such a posting, despite speculation regarding her ability to remain non-partisan, as would be expected of the vicereine.[8] However, by January 15, of the following year Sauvé resigned as an MP, and thus as speaker, and two days later she was hospitalised; rumours circulated that it was due to cancer, but the official story was that she had contracted a respiratory virus, which was further complicated by an allergy to antibiotics.[9]

Still, Queen

Hodgkin's lymphoma, stating in interviews that it was a private matter, and that she was well enough to uphold her responsibilities.[9]

In office

Sauvé in Ottawa, 1984

Sauvé was on May 14, 1984, sworn in as governor general in a ceremony in the Senate chamber, during which Trudeau said: "It is right and proper that Her Majesty should finally have a woman representative here", though stressing that the Queen had not appointed Sauvé simply because she was a woman.[11] Almost immediately, Sauvé made it clear that she would use her time as vicereine to promote issues surrounding youth and world peace, as well as that of national unity.

The Governor General kept up to date with Cabinet papers and met every two weeks with her successive prime ministers. She would not speak openly about her relationship with these individuals, but there was reported friction between Sauvé and Brian Mulroney, whom she had appointed as her chief minister in 1984. It was speculated Sauvé disapproved of the way Mulroney elevated the stature of his office with more presidential trappings and aura, as exemplified by his insistence that he alone greet American President Ronald Reagan upon his arrival at Quebec City for the colloquially dubbed "Shamrock Summit". This was taken by the media as a snub against Sauvé who,[12] as the head of state's direct representative, would otherwise have welcomed another head of state to Canada.

She did, however, greet members of the

Nicolae Ceauşescu, Mother Teresa, and, eventually, President Reagan. A number of these state visits were reciprocated when Sauvé travelled to represent the Queen in Italy, the Vatican, the People's Republic of China, Thailand, France, Uruguay, and Brazil
.

Sauvé (left) at a garden party for the Ceremonial Guard and Governor General's Foot Guards at Rideau Hall, 1985

Also in her capacity as vicereine, in 1986 Sauvé accepted, on behalf of the "People of Canada", the

Boys & Girls Club and its French-language counterpart, the Patro d'Ottawa; the children came to Rideau Hall to visit with Santa Claus and attended a lunch in the Tent Room. Sauvé personally hosted and wore a paper party hat to celebrate the special occasion.[14]

Ironically, as with the speculations about Sauvé's standing in protocol vis-a-vis Mulroney, the Governor General herself was accused of elevating her position above its traditional place; she was criticised for her own presidentialisation of the viceregal post, with pundits at the time saying she occupied "Republican Hall".

the Royal Anthem was not allowed and the loyal toast to the Queen was to be replaced with a toast to Sauvé,[16] all of which not only disregarded precedent but also grated on prairie sensitivities.[17][18]

In her final address as vicereine, at Christmas, 1989, some of Sauvé's words were perceived as veiled warning about the failure of the

Clyde Wells, said it was "inappropriate for the Crown to be intruding in political affairs that way" and Bill Dawson, a law professor at the University of Western Ontario, described Sauvé's use of the word pact as "injudicious". This was a subject on which Sauvé and the Queen agreed; Elizabeth II had also publicly expressed on October 22 and 23, 1987 her personal support for the accord and received criticism from its opponents.[19] Sauvé, though, always held that she had been speaking about Canadian unity in general and not the Meech Lake Accord in particular, or any side of the debate around it.[20]

Legacy

During her time as vicereine, Sauvé established in commemoration of her state visit to Brazil the Governor General Jeanne Sauvé Fellowship, awarded each year to a Brazilian graduate student in Canadian studies. She also created two awards for students entering the field of special education and subsequently created the Sauvé Foundation in 2003 "to develop the leadership potential of promising youth from around the world", which was dedicated to the cause of youth excellence in Canada and is today headed by Jean-François. The Sauvé Scholars Program has brought groups of up to fourteen young people with demonstrated leadership potential each year to Montreal, where they attend classes at McGill University, work on individual projects and "enlarge their understanding of the world". The Sauvé Scholars, who have come from 44 countries around the world, enjoy a unique residential program at Maison Jeanne Sauvé, which constitutes a key part of their experience.

For sporting endeavours, Sauvé formed the Jeanne Sauvé Trophy, for the world cup championship in women's field hockey, and the Jeanne Sauvé Fair Play Award, to recognise national amateur athletes who best demonstrate fair play and non-violence in sport. Further, Sauvé encouraged a safer society in Canada by establishing the Governor General's Award for Safety in the Workplace.

In 1983, then President of the national organization for the sport of ringette in Canada, Ringette Canada, Betty Shields, had the trophy for the Canadian Ringette Championships named in her honour. The trophy was initiated in December 1984 and was first presented at the 1985 Canadian Ringette Championships in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Québec. While Sauvé was alive the trophy was called the Jeanne Sauvé Cup. Post-humously it was renamed the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup, which remains the trophy's namesake today.

Though there was some criticism in the final evaluations of her performance as governor general, mostly for a perceived aloofness and sense of self-importance—which her closing of the Rideau Hall estate to the public came to symbolise[21]—Sauvé was also described as having been elegant, charming, and a person who could mingle well with common Canadians—especially children—while also maintaining a sense of the dignity of state.[14] She was said to have enjoyed both entertaining and ceremony, two necessary parts of the role of the Queen's representative. However, she was pointed out unfavourably by Canadian monarchists for her republican attitudes,[22] as illustrated in her stated opinion that the monarchy should be abolished.[n 1]

Retirement and death

After departing Rideau Hall for the last time as governor general in 1990, Sauvé and her husband returned to Montreal, where she continued to work with the Sauvé Foundation. Only two years later, however, Maurice died, and Sauvé followed him on January 26, 1993, after a long battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma.[14] The couple were both interred in Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery in Montreal, and, one year following her death, Canada Post issued a postage stamp bearing an image of Sauvé.

Titles, styles, honours, and arms

Titles

Viceregal styles of
Jeanne Sauvé
(1984–1990)
Reference style
Her Excellency the Right Honourable
Son Excellence la très honorable
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Votre Excellence
  • November 27, 1972 – May 14, 1984: The Honourable Jeanne Sauvé
  • May 14, 1984 – January 28, 1990: Her Excellency the Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada
  • January 28, 1990 – January 26, 1993: The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé





Honours

Sauvé's personal awards and decorations include:



Ribbon Description Notes
Order of Canada (CC)
  • Appointed Extraordinary Companion 14 May 1984[23]
Order of Military Merit (CMM)
  • Appointed Extraordinary Commander (CMM) on 14 May 1984[24]
Order of St John (KStJ)
  • Appointed Knight 14 May 1984
Canadian Centennial Medal
  • Decoration awarded in 1967
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
  • Decoration awarded in 1977
  • Canadian version
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
  • Decoration awarded in 1992
Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD)
  • As per appointment, 14 May 1984
Appointments
Medals
Foreign honours
  • France 1989: Médaille de la Chancellerie des universités de Paris

Honorary military appointments

Honorary degrees

Honorific eponyms

Awards
Geographic locations
Fort Sauvé, Royal Military College of Canada
Buildings
Schools
Organisations
Events

Arms

Coat of arms of Jeanne Sauvé
Notes
Though Sauvé had been granted a coat of arms in 1985 by the College of Arms, these were augmented by the Canadian Heraldic Authority upon its formation in 1988.
Adopted
November 19, 1988
Crest
Upon a Helm mantled Azure doubled Or, on a Wreath Or and Azure alighting within a circlet composed alternately of Maple Leaves Gules and Fleurs-de-Lys Or a Dove wings elevated and addorsed holding in its beak a sprig of Olive both proper[36]
Escutcheon
Azure the Mace of the House of Commons of Canada Or in bend between in chief an Eagle displayed Or bearing in its beak a bolt of lightning Gules and in base a Lion passant guardant Or imperially crowned proper holding in the dexter paw a Maple Leaf Gules fimbriated Or[36]
Supporters
On either side a Doe proper each gorged with a collar Argent pendant therefrom a Roundel barry wavy Argent and Vert[36]
Motto
VIS ET TOLERANTIA
(Strength and tolerance)
Orders
The ribbon and insignia of a Companion of the Order of Canada
DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM
(They desire a better country)
Symbolism
The dove bearing an olive branch symbolises peace, while the maple leaves and fleurs de lys on the coronet in which the dove sits are representative of Sauvé's French Canadian roots. The white tailed deer hearken to the symbols of
Royal Coat of Arms of Canada
—indicates that Sauvé served as the viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch. Hanging below the shield is the insignia of a Companion of the Order of Canada on the bow typically used by female members of the order.
Previous versions
Crest: upon a Helm mantled Azure doubled Or, on a Wreath Or and Azure alighting within a circlet composed of Maple Leaves Gules a Dove wings elevated and addorsed holding in its beak a sprig of Olive both proper;
Escutcheon: Azure the Mace of the House of Commons of Canada Or in bend between in chief an Eagle displayed Or and in base a Royal Crown proper Or;
Supporters: on either side a Doe proper, Dexter applied with a Fleur de Lys Azure, Sinister applied with a Maple Leaf Gules[37]

Archives

There is a Jeanne Sauvé fonds at Library and Archives Canada.[38]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Sauvé said: "Mais absolument, on devrait abolir la monarchie au Canada!": "But absolutely, the Monarchy must be abolished in Canada!"[22]

References

  1. ^ Privy Council Office (October 30, 2008). "Information Resources > Historical Alphabetical List since 1867 of Members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada > S –". Queen's Printer for Canada. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Their Excellencies: Canada's Governors General Since 1952 > Jeanne Sauvé's Early Years". CBC. February 9, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Journalist Jeanne Sauvé". CBC. July 24, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  4. ^ .
  5. ^ a b "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Jeanne Sauvé's political advice". CBC. February 9, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Speaker Sauvé 'still learning'". CBC. February 14, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  7. ^ "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Jeanne Sauvé, Madame Speaker". CBC. February 14, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  8. ^ "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Governor General Jeanne Sauvé". CBC. July 24, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  9. ^ a b "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Jeanne Sauvé: Govenor [sic] General ceremony delayed". CBC. July 24, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  10. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada. "Role and Responsibilities > Former Governors General > The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  11. ^ "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Jeanne Sauvé: 'A welcome evolution' says Pierre Trudeau". CBC. July 24, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  12. ^ "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Portrait of Jeanne Sauvé, Governor General". CBC. July 1, 1985. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  13. ^ "The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada > About the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada". Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. Archived from the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  14. ^ a b c "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Senator Chaput-Rolland remembers Jeanne Sauvé". CBC. February 9, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  15. )
  16. ^ Pepall, John (March 1, 1990). "Who is the Governor General?". The Idler. Toronto. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  17. ^ Jackson, Michael (2002). "Political Paradox: The Lieutenant Governor in Saskatchewan". In Leeson, Howard A. (ed.). Saskatchewan Politics into the 21st Century. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center.
  18. ^ Gardner, Dan (February 17, 2009). "A stealth campaign against the Queen". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  19. ^ Geddes, John (2012), "The day she descended into the fray", Maclean's (Special Commemorative Edition: The Diamond Jubilee: Celebrating 60 Remarkable years ed.), Rogers Communications: 72
  20. ^ "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Jeanne Sauvé's controversial speech". CBC. February 11, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  21. ^ "CBC Digital Archives > Politics > Federal Politics > Jeanne Sauvé, a Woman of Firsts > Closing off Rideau Hall". CBC. January 24, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  22. ^ a b Toffoli, Gary. "The Hnatyshyn Years". Monarchy Canada (Spring 1995). Toronto: Fealty Enterprises. Archived from the original on October 12, 2006. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
  23. ^ "Order of Canada". The Governor General of Canada.
  24. ^ "The Governor General of Canada List". Gouvernment of Canada.
  25. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada. "Honours > Order of Canada". Queen's Printer for Canada. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  26. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada. "Honours > Order of Military Merit". Queen's Printer for Canada. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  27. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada. "Honours > Insignia Worn by the Governor General". Queen's Printer for Canada. Archived from the original on October 9, 2006. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  28. ^ "HONORARY DEGREES" (PDF). Queen's University. December 15, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  29. ^ "Undergraduate Calendar > 21. HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT > 21.4 HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS". University of Regina. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  30. ^ "Friends of the University of Alberta > Scholarships and Prizes". University of Alberta. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  31. ^ "Latest news about the metro construction" (PDF). Correspondance. 1 (5). Montreal: L'Agence métropolitaine de transport: 2. July 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  32. ^ "Caisse populaire gives Wolves season passes". Sudbury Northern Life. October 27, 2008. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  33. ^ "Thirty-seven elementary schools receive highest rankings on Fraser Institute annual report card. Stratford – Jeanne Sauvé one of 37". Exchange Magazine for Business. Waterloo: Exchange Business Communications Inc. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.
  34. ^ "Services familiaux Jeanne Sauvé Family Services" (PDF) (Press release). Jeanne Sauvé Family Services. November 2, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  35. ^ "The Governor General to Open the Jeanne Sauvé Lecture Series in Montreal" (Press release). Queen's Printer for Canada. February 16, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  36. ^ a b c "Arms of Past and Present Canadian Governors General > SAUVÉ, The Rt. Hon. Jeanne, CC, CMM, COM, CD". Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
  37. ^ "Arms of Past and Present Canadian Governors General". Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. Archived from the original on June 17, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
  38. ^ "Jeanne Sauvé fonds, Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved September 17, 2020.

External links

Parliament of Canada
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic
October 30, 1972 – May 22, 1979
Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for Laval-des-Rapides
May 22, 1979 – January 15, 1984
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Speaker of the House of Commons

April 14, 1980 – January 15, 1984
Succeeded by
Cabinet offices
Preceded by
Minister of the Environment

August 8, 1974 – December 5, 1975
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Otto Lang
Acting
Minister of Communications
December 5, 1975 – June 4, 1979
Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Governor General of Canada
May 14, 1984 – January 29, 1990
Succeeded by