By Canadian Press

‘Colonialism and cucumbers’: Governor General gets lukewarm reception in Quebec

May 5, 2022 | 9:09 AM

Quebec Premier François Legault says Gov. Gen. Mary Simon still has some work to do on her French.

The premier made the comments in Quebec City today after meeting with Simon on Wednesday during her first trip to the province since she was appointed as the Queen’s representative in Canada.

Her appointment last July was controversial in Quebec because Simon, the first Indigenous person in the role, is still learning how to speak French, one of Canada’s two official languages.

Legault told reporters he spoke with Simon in French and English, adding that it’s not ideal that the Governor General doesn’t have a proper grasp of the French language.

Quebec’s second opposition party, Québec solidaire, was less congenial toward Simon, with spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois saying today he politely declined an invitation to meet her.

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Nadeau-Dubois tweeted that “colonialism and cucumber sandwiches” weren’t his thing, referring to Britain’s historical colonization of French Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2022.

The Canadian Press