David Johnston is Canada’s next Gov Gen

Michaëlle Jean, Canada’s current Governor General, is stepping down when her traditional 5-year term expires this fall. It was recently announced that Jean’s replacement will be legal scholar David Johnston, the current president of the University of Waterloo.

Columnist Chantal Hébert provides a good summation of that pick saying it ends the recent era of “rock star” appointments at Rideau Hall.

As readers may or may not know, Elizabeth II is Canada’s head of state, and the Governor General serves as the Queen’s representative. The role is largely ceremonial and anything smacking of factionalism is frowned upon.

But occasionally questions of real constitutional and political significance are settled by that office, as when Jean had to decide whether or not to shut down Parliament in late December of 2008. (Following precedent, Jean granted Prime Minister Harper’s request.)

Johnston will become Governor General on October 1st.

The Haitian-born Jean will serve as UNESCO’s special envoy in Haiti after her term ends.

Tags: canada