Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean acknowledges applause after being sworn-in on Parliament Hill in Ottawa September 27, 2005.

Canada's 27th Governor General Michaelle Jean is settling into her official residence in Ottawa, after an emotion-filled day topped by a pitch for passionate pitch for national unity.

In a ceremony televised countrywide, Canadians watched Jean moved from tears to laughter in the elaborate ceremony and celebration of her official appointment.

As the opening musical performance echoed through the halls of Parliament Tuesday, friends and dignitaries watched as tears streamed down the cheeks of the 48-year-old broadcaster, social activist and mother.

Then, after swearing the oath of allegiance, when Jean rose in the crowded senate Chamber to address her audience and the nation, she could barely contain the emotions stirred by the momentous day's events.

"I am determined that the position I occupy as of today will be more than ever a place where citizens' words will be heard, where the values of respect, tolerance, and sharing that are so essential to me and to all Canadians, will prevail," the Haitian-born Montrealer said, visibly struggling to contain her tears.

"Those values, which are paramount for me, are linked inextricably with the Canada I love."

In 1968, Jean's family fled political persecution in Haiti and wound up settling in rural Quebec. Jean said her life story before and since is one that much of Canada's diverse population can relate to.

"The story of that little girl, who watched her parents, her family, and her friends grappling with the horrors of a ruthless dictatorship, who became the woman standing before you today, is a lesson in learning to be free," she said.

With her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and six-year-old daughter Marie Eden looking on, Jean also used her national platform to direct some thinly-veiled criticism at Canada's power elite.

From isolated, inward-looking ethnic communities, to the politicians that have lost touch with their constituents, few escaped Jean's good-natured admonition.

Taking square aim at critics who questioned her loyalty to Canada, Jean sought to lay nagging questions about her sympathy toward Quebec separatism to rest. Now is the time, she said, to focus on promoting national solidarity.

"The narrow notion of 'every person for himself' does not belong in today's world, which demands that we learn to see beyond our wounds, beyond our differences for the good of all," Jean urged in a solemn tone, calling for unity and tolerance.

"We must eliminate the spectre of all the solitudes and promote solidarity among all the citizens who make up the Canada of today," she said, casting the age-old Canadian debate as a dusty relic of another age.

The ceremony finished with a rousing gospel performance that had Jean clapping and smiling with the crowd. Then, when she finally emerged onto the front steps of Parliament, where the sun was beating down on the honour guard assembled for her inspection, the military commander-in-chief showed she was already comfortable in her new role.

(Agencies)

dignitary: an important or influential (and often overbearing) person（權貴，高官）

paramount: having superior power and influence（極為重要的）