Governor General Mary Simon still has work to do to improve her French, says Quebec premier
One day after meeting with Governor General of Canada Mary Simon, Quebec Premier François Legault says she still has "more work to do" to improve her French language skills.
Simon sparked controversy when she was appointed to the position in July 2021 because she did not speak the language. Following her appointment, she said she was "firmly committed" to learning French.
In addition to any French she's picked up since then, Simon speaks Inuktitut and English.
On her first visit to Quebec City on Wednesday, she was greeted by Legault, who says he spoke to her in French and English.
In a press scrum Thursday, he stated it is not ideal that such an important person does not speak one of the country's official languages.
He says she told him she is taking courses and could string together a few sentences.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) has advocated to abolish the position of the province's lieutenant governor, Simon's representative in Quebec, but Legault admits it is not a priority for all Quebecers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 5, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It was hell': Israeli mother held hostage with her children describes 51 days in captivity
Hagar Brodutch, her three children and four-year-old neighbour were kidnapped by Hamas-led militants from their home in Kfar Aza, Israel on Oct. 7 and held for 51 days. They were released in November, but Brodutch says her thoughts are never far from those still being held in Gaza.
BREAKING Teen dies after being hit by train in N.W. Calgary
A teenager has died after being hit by a train in northwest Calgary on Tuesday afternoon.
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
New COVID-19 subvariants become the dominant strains in Canada
More than four years after COVID-19 effectively shut down the world, two new variants of COVID-19 have become the dominant strains of the novel coronavirus in Canada.
'It's his vacation too': Jimmy the baby goat joins 2-week road trip across Canada
After Jimmy the baby goat was shunned by his mother, a New Brunswick man took the kid on a two-week road trip across Canada.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Widespread theft costing Canada's retail industry dearly: experts
The Retail Council of Canada wants to put a stop to widespread theft within the retail industry, and industry leaders are meeting this week to find solutions.
Former South Dakota mayor charged with triple homicide
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.