The CTV.ca mailbox has been filled with e-mail from Canadians across the country expressing their opinion regarding Governor-General designate Michaelle Jean. Responses have been edited in some cases for clarity or brevity.

Tell us your thoughts click here to e-mail us at newsonline@ctv.ca

Danny Labelle

I see the smear campaign on Michaelle Jean launched by the separatists has unfortunately worked. Reading these posted emails is proof of this. Personally, I believe it is a good thing if she used to be a separatist. When high-profile sovereigntists change their mind and join the federalist side, it challenges other sovereigntists to rethink their stance.

Gerry Brosso

Mr. Martin and his colleagues never make mistakes. That's why we have such political shambles in Quebec, that's why we have Justice Gomery, that's why his health minister and a top-flight staffer were heard on the Grewal tapes. Ms. Jean and her flyaway hairstyle husband are political appointments by an arrogant regime - filmmaker and broadcaster, producer and mouthpiece. Manufactured 10 second sound bites that Canadians will devour with relish...they hope. Actually, they're elder hippies, the same as what's in Rideau Hall now. Queen Adrien and the Straw-hat Philosopher. Lorne Mann Is there an unwritten rule the governor general isn't permitted to be from western Canada? The selection process must be transparent and all Canadians are entitled to participate.

Norm Puttick

Canadians have a way of tearing down a great country - Canada - without first checking the history that made us great. The complainers think Rideau Hall is spelled T-I-M-H-O-R-T-O-N. Congratulations to the Prime Minister on his choice.

R. Charlebois

1) What people do not understand is that the Governor General of Canada does NOT represent the Queen of England in Canada. We live within the confines of a Constitutional monarchy and as such, we have a head of state (in the form of a Crown). Our head of state is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who, within the Constitution of Canada, is the Queen of Canada. The fact that she is also Queen of England is irrelevant. The only way that this affects us is in the way that she cannot live in two strong, independent, sovereign countries at once. For this reason we have a Governor General in Canada. This is also why it is important that the Governor General be a Canadian citizen.

2) While a person is Governor General he or she must remain politically neutral. The fact that she may or may not have associated with separatists is irrelevant in this situation because she cannot impose or press her political ideas on the government of Canada - that is not her job. She is there to ensure that the Canadian constitution is upheld in all areas of Canadian life. The Prime Minister would not have chosen someone he did not feel was up to the task. While we, as Canadians are privileged because we can discuss our opinions and views without fear of persecution, it is our responsibility as citizens of this great country to make sure that we express informed opinions based on fact, and you Mr. Klein and company, have been very irresponsible.

Patrick Brown: I am particularly interested in the newly assigned governor-general, especially her most recent statement confirming her commitment to Canada. Sure anyone can say they are Canadian to get the job, but I think if there is any suspicion into her (or anyone's) credibility as whether she is affiliated with Quebec's separatist movement or not, the one question that should have been asked to anyone assigned to the governor-general's position should be "Do you in any way, in any degree support and/or favour Quebec's separatist movement?

John Godwin: The governor-general does not represent the people of Canada; she represents the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom who is the ceremonial head of state. Other than recent tradition there is no particular reason why she should be born here or even be a citizen of Canada; the first Canadian to be appointed was Vincent Massey in 1952. If Canada is a multi-cultural society that encourages people to retain their inherited culture and values when they move here and take out citizenship, then it is a rather silly proposition that there is such a thing as an identifiable Canadian culture. Where would it have originated?

Jean Fauteux: Having watched her career with interest over the years, I feel Michaelle Jean will make a great governor general ... Maybe there would not be a separation issue in Quebec if Canada would stop acting as a british colony and more like a sovereign country. Canada has a serious identity crisis for that reason. You got the separatists preaching for France and the monarchists preaching for Great Britain. This would not be a problem if we let go mother England and France. Canada is a great country that is all grown up now. It's time for it to fly on its own and forget about France and England. The Americans have done it already and they have done great so far, haven't they?

Alan Tan: It is not because she's a woman or visible minority that she spurred debate. Her predecessor is also a woman and a visible minority and caused no identity crises. I simply don't feel comfortable that someone who is going to be a head (though nominal only) of a country will not give up her other citizenship. Sticking with her human right as the rest of us does not suggest she is dedicated enough to serve this country and all of us. I watched her program, her opinion is superficial, sometimes selfish, and ill-informed. For god's sake, there is millions of Canadian who love this and only this country; we do no need "half-a-heart" to be our head.

Wally Michaels: And are we to expect the same ridiculously lavish overspending we have endured under Mme. Clarkson for far too long? If so, would she please include me as a permanent part of her traveling entourage?

Darrell Jones: It saddens me to see that racism is still alive and well. What other governor-general designate was put through this process.

Brian Roth: There are two aspects of Jean's appointment that bother me. The first is why we continue to appoint a figurehead to represent the queen in Canada. The century-old thought that we need royal consent to get anything done here is absurd and is just another example of the scandalous waste of money that goes on in our government. The second issue I have is that the PMO did not have the forethought to check this woman's background and anticipate issues that might arise. While it is very unlikely that Jean will support separatist political ideas while in office, this furor should have been anticipated and headed off before it grew to be such an issue.

Jill Lyons: This appointment should squelch complaints from just about every underprivileged or minority group in Canada because she represents most of them. I am beginning to agree with Quebec separation because I see it would mean going back to the way Canada used to be - a multilingual English country with a bilingual province instead of the current bilingual country and a multilingual French province. I wanted to pledge allegiance to the Queen when I applied for a citizenship card in 1991 but it wasn't a requirement. Maybe this appointment will return us to some semblance of normalcy although I think the conservative Mr. Harper should be credited with being the first to see some sense in this approach.

Marilyn Douglas: I am a Toronto born Canadian. Is it because our new governor general is not part of the good old boys club and that she is a woman rising above the poverty she was in that people feel it is necessary to smear her?

Anne Millar: Mme Jean is a brilliant choice for governor-general and represents the best of Canada. The conservative politicians, including Bernard Lord of my province, are showing their true political stripes by their comments on her suitability. Why are we not surprised that they oppose an intelligent, immigrant, multi-lingual woman of colour. What makes her a brilliant choice brings out the worst in Ralph Klein, Stephen Harper and their wantabees.

Gordon MacLeod : It was a mistake choosing this woman for our new 'head of state.' She is questionable at best, and quite probably completely dishonest about her past ties to the FLQ and her support of Quebec sovereignty at worst. There should be no such questions arising about an individual who is appointed to this position. It is not too late for the PM to retract the offer!

Larry Griffin: If we are to have a governor general, that person should be born in Canada, I mean no disrespect, but if this person is going to be Canada's de facto head of state and commander-in-chief of the Canadian Military I do not think it is too much to insist upon.

Jeff McKinnon: Why does it seem when we always pick on someone who serves our country, do we always have to pick on the Governor General? We picked on Adrienne Clarkson, and now we're picking on the new one that isn't even in power yet. Knock it off people!

Nancy Setterlund: Her political point of view does not concern me. Isn't that what Canada is all about - political freedom to chose? Obviously, if she has agreed to the appointment, she is also agreeing to serve Canada as a whole and the Queen. If she uses her position as a platform for a separate Quebec then there is a problem. She is a very smart woman and has behaved in a professional manner to date and I don't see why people would think she would behave otherwise in the future.

Robert Erskine: I think there is sufficient smoke to indicate some sort of fire. I think that not only Jean but also her husband owes the citizens of this country some sort of explanation as to their stance on sovereignty. Her silence on the matter only makes her position more suspect. I think this is another colossal error by a completely incompetent Prime Minister. The decision to appoint Jean, as GG should be seriously revisited.

Dave Johnston: Should there be the slightest bit of truth to what I have just read in this article, this lady is not fit to be our Governor General.

Peter Hedden: Of course she chose to become a citizen of Canada. She chose to live in Quebec but she could not become a Quebec citizen because there is no such country. But should Quebec ever separate, would she then want to become a Quebec citizen? As for a Liberal comment that public comment undermines Canada, that is just another example of Liberal politicians trying to silence any opposition and to close any democratic debate.

Dennis Krahn: People change as they age. Our soon to be GG should step up to the plate and put this matter to rest. I would like to think that the government did a thorough background check on this lady prior to announcing their plans for her.

Dan Remery: As I became a Canadian citizen I had to swear my allegiance to Canada and to the Queen of England and Canada. Did not Mrs. Jean have to do the same thing? If so, why can't she and her husband come clean and state so? Or are they in fact tarred by the brush that wants to see two countries here in this land? I think she has to come out and say which it is.

Edith MacDonald: The Liberals goofed again. So much for "checking" backgrounds. Did they really think that no one would discover this information? Ms. Jean should make a statement regarding her present views. Otherwise her whole term will be dogged by the constant questions.

Barbara Halligan: I have enjoyed watching her on television. If she is anything like Adrienne Clarkson she will bring pride to Canada. All our views can change over the years. If Gilles Duceppe had been running across Canada I would have voted for him.

Roch Hardez:  Ms. Jean's announcement today confirms what I suspected - she supports a soverign Quebec.

Number One: She did not indicate she isn't a separtist supporter or sympathesizer, she tried to wiggle-word around it by saying she was not a MEMBER of the party. MOST supporters are not members.

Number Two: She stated she has EQUAL allegiance to Quebec as she does to Canada. Who considers a province equal to a country? Only those who believe that province IS a country.