David Johnston began his professional career as an assistant professor in the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University in 1966, moving to the Law Faculty at the University of Toronto in 1968. He became dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario in 1974. In 1979, he was named principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University, and in July 1994, he returned to the McGill Faculty of Law as a full-time professor. In June 1999, he became the fifth president of the University of Waterloo.
Mr. Johnston has served on many provincial and federal task forces and committees. He has also served on the boards of a number of companies, including Arise, CGI, Fairfax, and Masco. He was president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and of the Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec. He was the founding chair of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, chaired the federal government’s Information Highway Advisory Council, and served as the first non-American chair of the Board of Overseers at Harvard University. He is the author or co-author of two dozen books, holds honorary doctorates from over a dozen universities, and has been awarded the Order of Canada (Companion).
Mr. Johnston holds an LLB from Queen’s University (1966), an LLB from the University of Cambridge (1965), and an AB from Harvard University (1963). While at Harvard, he was twice selected for the All-American hockey team and is a member of Harvard’s Athletic Hall of Fame. His academic specializations include securities regulation, information technology and corporate law.
He was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and is married to Sharon Johnston. They have five adult daughters and seven grandchildren.
Sworn in on October 1, 2010, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston is the 28th governor general since Confederation.
Insignia worn by the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada
Encouraging excellence is one the roles and responsibilities of a governor general. The governor general presents national honours and awards to recognize people who have demonstrated valour, bravery, excellence or exceptional dedication to service that brings credit to the country. Upon taking office, the governor general is invested in or presented with specific honours. As such, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston may wear the following insignia in this order of precedence:
The Order of Canada
The Order was created on July 1, 1967, to recognize Canadians who have made a difference to our country. Admissions and promotions in the Order recognize lifetime achievements. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Sovereign of the Order and the governor general is its chancellor and Principal Companion. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1988 and was promoted to the Companion level in 1997. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. The post-nominals are C.C.
The Order of Military Merit
The Order of Military Merit was established on July 1, 1972, to recognize a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of both the Regular and Reserve Forces. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Sovereign of the Order and the governor general is the chancellor and a Commander of the Order. The chief of the Defence Staff is the Principal Commander of the Order. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston became Commander of the Order on September 5, 2010, at Balmoral Castle, when Her Majesty The Queen invested him. He became chancellor of the Order upon taking office on October 1, 2010. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. The post-nominals are C.M.M.
The Order of Merit of the Police Forces
The Order of Merit of the Police Forces was created in 2000 to recognize the conspicuous merit and exceptional service of the men and women of the Canadian police forces. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Sovereign of the Order and the governor general is the chancellor and a Commander of the Order. The commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the Principal Commander of the Order. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston became Commander of the Order on September 5, 2010, at Balmoral Castle, when Her Majesty The Queen invested him. He became chancellor of the Order upon taking office on October 1, 2010. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. The post-nominals are C.O.M.
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in Canada is a registered charity whose mission is to help Canadians improve their health, safety and quality of life by providing training and community service. The Order of St. John is part of the Canadian Honours System. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Sovereign of the Order and the governor general is the prior and chief officer of the Order in Canada. Customarily, the governor general accepts the office of prior and is made a Knight of Justice of the Order within the first six months of the mandate.
The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
Issued in 1992 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, this medal honours Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, to their community or to Canada. It was awarded to civilians as well as to members of the military, recognizing approximately 42 000 Canadians from all walks of life, from every region of Canada, from varied ethnocultural backgrounds and from a multitude of disciplines. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston was among the Canadians honoured with this medal.
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
In keeping with tradition, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ascension of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. The Medal was awarded to Canadians who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston was among Canadians honoured with this medal.
The Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration was created in 1949 to recognize 12 years of service and good conduct in the Canadian Forces. As commander-in-chief of Canada, the governor general is entitled to the Decoration, which is usually presented by the chief of the Defence Staff during a private ceremony in the weeks following the installation. The post-nominals are C.D.
At official ceremonies, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston is usually wearing the following insignia: Companion of the Order of Canada (around the neck), 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration (these last three being mounted together and worn on the left side of the chest). For military or police events, he may wear the insignia of Commander of the Order of Military Merit or Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in place of that of the Order of Canada. For investitures, he may also wear the collar of office as chancellor of the appropriate Order.
Head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
The Canadian Heraldic Authority was created on June 4, 1988, as a result of the Royal Letters Patent granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The ceremonial collar indicates the governor general’s role as head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, the body responsible for creating and recording coats of arms, flags and badges in Canada. It is presented to the governor general during the installation ceremony.