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David Johnston (governor general)

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David Lloyd Johnston
CC, AB Harv, LLB Camb, LLB Queen's
Johnston in front of Brubacher House.
Governor General of Canada
Designate
Assuming office
October 1, 2010
SucceedingMichaëlle Jean
Personal details
Born (1941-06-28) June 28, 1941 (age 83)
Sudbury, Ontario
SpouseSharon Johnston
Alma materHarvard University
University of Cambridge
Queen's University
ProfessionAcademic
Lawyer

David Lloyd Johnston, CC (born June 28, 1941)[1][2] is a Canadian academic and author, former principal of McGill University, and outgoing president of the University of Waterloo. He is scheduled to succeed Michaëlle Jean as Governor General of Canada on October 1, 2010.

Johnston was born and raised in Ontario, studying there before enrolling at Harvard University and later Cambridge and Queen's Universities. He then went on to work as a professor at various post-secondary institutions in Canada, eventually being appointed as the President of the University of Waterloo. At the same time, Johnston involved himself with politics and public service, moderating political debates and chairing commissions in both the federal and provincial spheres, his most renowned position in that field being the chairmanship of the inquiry into the Airbus affair.

Early life and education

Johnston was born in Sudbury, Ontario, to Lloyd Johnston, the owner of a hardware store,[3] and Dorothy Stonehouse. He attended Sault Collegiate Institute in nearby Sault Ste. Marie before moving on to Harvard University,[4] earning his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from there in 1963.[1] While at Harvard, Johnston captained the varsity ice hockey team, was twice selected to the All-America team,[5] and met and befriended Erich Segal,[6] the two becoming jogging partners.[citation needed] Segal wrote in 1970 the best-selling novel Love Story, basing a character in the book— Davey, a captain of the hockey team— on Johnston.[3][5]

Johnston later attended the University of Cambridge, obtaining a Bachelor of Laws with honours in 1965, and another with first class honours from Queen's University in 1966.[1] During that period, Johnston married his high school sweetheart.[7] Sharon,[3][8] The couple have five daughters:[3][1] Deborah, now a lawyer at the federal Department of Justice; Alexandra, a lawyer in the office of Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty; Sharon, a medical doctor and assistant professor in medicine at the University of Ottawa; Jenifer, an economist at Environment Canada; and Catherine, who has a doctorate in education from Harvard.[9]

Academic career

Starting in 1966, Johnston worked as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law at Queen's University for two years before moving to the University of Toronto's law faculty, where he was an assistant and then full professor. He was then appointed Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario and served as such between 1974 and 1979, at which time he was elevated to become the fourteenth Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. After fifteen years in that role, Johnston stepped down to remain at McGill only as a law professor until he was in 1999 installed as the fifth President of the University of Waterloo. Over these years, he came to specialise in securities regulation, corporation law, public policy and information technology law.[1]

Boards, commissions, and media

Johnston has moderated several televised leaders' debates,[10] the first being between Pierre Trudeau, Joe Clark, and Ed Broadbent, prior to the 1979 federal election, and he returned five years later to play the same role before the election of 1984, in a debate featuring Brian Mulroney, John Turner, and Broadbent. He also moderated the provinvial leaders' debate featuring David Peterson, Bob Rae, and Larry Grossman, in the run up to the Ontario general election in 1987.[11] Johnston has also acted as moderator of two public affairs panel discussion programmes, The Editors and The World in Review, which aired in the 1990s on both CBC Newsworld in Canada and PBS in the United States.[10]

Investigations commissioned by both federal and provincial Crowns-in-Council have been chaired by Johnston, starting with the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy in the late 1980s,[12] followed by the National Task Force on High Speed Broadband Access, the Committee on Information Systems for the Environment, the Advisory Committee on Online Learning, Ontario's Infertility and Adoption Review Panel between 2008 and 2009, and other scientific or public policy panels.[13] He also sat on the Ontario government's Task Force on Management of Large Scale Information and Information Technology Projects and an Ontario Ministry of Health panel investigating "smart systems." Johnston has also served on various corporate boards of directors, including those of Fairfax Financial Holdings, CGI, Dominion Textiles, Southam Incorporated, SPAR Aerospace, Seagram's, and Canada Trust, among others.[13]

On November 14, 2007, Johnston was appointed by Governor General Michaëlle Jean, on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as an independent adviser and charged with drafting for the Cabinet the terms of reference for the public inquiry, known as the Oliphant Commission, into the Airbus affair.[12] This appointment itself, however, was criticized by the independent citizens' group Democracy Watch as a conflict of interest, given that Johnston had once reported directly to Mulroney during the latter's time as prime minister.[14] Johnston completed his report on January 11, 2008, listing seventeen questions of interest for further investigation.[15] He did not, however, include as a subject the awarding of the Airbus contract, on the basis that this aspect had already been investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, prompting criticism from opposition Members of Parliament and accusations that Johnston had acted as the Prime Minister's man.[16] This intensified after it was later revealed that Mulroney had accepted $300,000 in cash from Karlheinz Schreiber, but Oliphant could not examine any possible link between that payment and Airbus due to the narrow scope of the commission's mandate.[17] Others, though, such as Peter George, president of McMaster University,[18] and subsequently the editorial board of The Globe and Mail,[19] defended Johnston, detailing his integrity and independence.

Johnston generally has a reputation as a non-partisan individual,[3][20] but has expressed explicit support for Canadian federalism, having written a book opposing Quebec separatism and sitting as the co-chair of the Montreal No Committee during the 1995 Quebec referendum on independence.[20] He has also published numerous books on law, chapters in other volumes, magazine articles, and aided in writing legislation.[21]

Governor general-designate

It was on July 8, 2010, announced from the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada that Queen Elizabeth II had, by commission under the royal sign-manual and signet, approved Prime Minister Stephen Harper's choice of Johnston to succeed Michaëlle Jean as the Queen's representative. At the time, Harper said of Johnston that he represents "the best of Canada, he represents hard work, dedication, public service and humility. I am confident he will continue to embody these traits in his new role as the Crown representative in Canada."[22][23] His installation is expected to take place in the Senate chamber on October 1, 2010.[22]

Johnston was recommended for the role by a special search committee appointed by the Prime Minister, headed by Sheila-Marie Cook, Secretary and Deputy to the Governor General and also consisting of Rainer Knopff, Professor of Political Science, University of Calgary; Kevin MacLeod, the Canadian Secretary to the Queen and Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada;[5] Christopher Manfredi, dean of the Faculty of Arts at McGill University; Father Jacques Monet, of the Canadian Institute of Jesuit Studies; and Christopher McCreery, historian and private secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.[19] The committee conducted extensive national consultations with over 200 people including academics, sitting and retired political leaders of all political persuasions including provincial premiers, current and former political party leaders, former prime ministers and others in order to develop a short list of candidates for the position.[24][23][25] Also on the short list were other distinguished Canadians including John de Chastelain and John Fraser.[25]

In a press conference held in the Senate foyer on the morning his appointment was announced, Johnston told reporters that, "My wife and I have always believed that service, whether it is to family, community, university or country, is our highest calling. And so we are proud to have this opportunity to serve Canada and our fellow citizens." He added that, "During my time at Waterloo and McGill I have had the great fortune to witness Canadians’ creativity and ingenuity, our strong ties to our communities and to the world and well as our diversity and our vitality. The opportunity to see values at work across the country means a great deal to me."[5]

He also vowed to "be a stalwart defender of our Canadian heritage, of Canadian institutions and of the Canadian people."[26]

Johnston's appointment was widely praised. Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff stated, "David Johnston’s dedication to learning and innovation – which are essential to Canada’s success – combined with his legal expertise and constitutional knowledge makes him an ideal choice for Governor General."[27] Former University of Toronto president Robert Prichard exclaimed, "What a glorious day for Canada. Oh, my goodness."[28] The columnist Andrew Coyne called the choice of Johnston "outstanding".[29]

Honours

Appointments
October 23, 1997–: Companion of the Order of Canada[30]
Non-national honours
  • United States 1988: Member of the Harvard Sports Hall of Fame[31]
Honorary degrees

List of principal works

  • Cases and Materials on Corporate Finance and Securities Law (1967).
  • Computers and Law (1968).
  • Cases and Materials on Company Law (1969).
  • Cases and Materials on Securities Law (1971).
  • Business Associations (1979).
  • Canadian Companies and the Stock Exchange (1980).
  • Canadian Securities Regulation (1982, 2003, 2006).
  • Partnerships and Canadian Business Corporations, Vols. 1 and 2 (1983, 1989, 1992).
  • If Quebec Goes … The Real Cost of Separation (1995).
  • Getting Canada On-line: Understanding the Information Highway (1995).
  • Cyberlaw (1997).
  • Communications in Law in Canada (2000).
  • Halsbury's Law of Canada (2007).

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Johnston, David (December 2008), Curriculum Vitae, University of Waterloo, p. 1 {{citation}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ Redmond, Chris, ed. (28 June 2006). "The first day of the rest of your life". Daily Bulletin. Waterloo: University of Waterloo. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e Akin, David (9 July 2010), "David Johnston Canada's next GG — Attended high school in Sault", Sault Star, retrieved 9 July 2010
  4. ^ The International Who's Who 2004. Europa Publications. p. 826. ISBN 9781857435108.
  5. ^ a b c d Galloway, Gloria; Ibbitson, John (8 July 2010), "Next governor-general unveiled", The Globe and Mail, retrieved 10 July 2010
  6. ^ Brennan, Richard J. (8 July 2010), "Academic, athletic David Johnston next Gov. Gen.", Toronto Star, retrieved 9 July 2010
  7. ^ a b "David Johnston: Lawyer, academic, Canada's next GG". CBC. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  8. ^ "David Johnston named UW president" (Press release). University of Waterloo. 7 October 1998. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  9. ^ Valiante, Giuseppe (8 July 2010), "Wife of next Governor General likes to write, but shuns the spotlight, say friends", The Gazette, retrieved 8 July 2010
  10. ^ a b Johnston 2008, p. 9
  11. ^ Delacourt, Susan (15 November 2007), "Johnston 'believes in nobility of public life'", Toronto Star, retrieved 8 July 2010
  12. ^ a b "PM taps university president as Mulroney inquiry adviser". CBC. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  13. ^ a b Johnston 2008, pp. 6–8
  14. ^ "Harper's relationship with Mulroney to be reviewed - again". CanWest. 27 July 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  15. ^ "Mulroney-Schreiber report won't show us the money, critics say". Globe & Mail. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  16. ^ Whittington, Les; Brennan, Richard (12 January 2008), "Vague Mulroney probe angers MPs", Toronto Star, retrieved 9 July 2010
  17. ^ Travers, James (3 June 2010), "Mulroney inquiry link could hinder GG contender David Johnston's hopes", Toronto Star, retrieved 9 July 2010
  18. ^ Ibbitson, John (29 June 2010), "University of Waterloo president may have the viceregal touch", The Globe and Mail, retrieved 9 July 2010
  19. ^ a b "David Johnston: a worthy viceroy", The Globe and Mail, 9 July 2010, retrieved 9 July 2010
  20. ^ a b Hébert, Chantal (9 July 2010), "Johnston appointment ends rock star era at Rideau Hall", Toronto Star, retrieved 9 July 2010
  21. ^ Johnston 2008, pp. 2–6
  22. ^ a b Brennan, Richard J. (8 July 2010), "Academic David Johnston Canada's next Gov. Gen.", Toronto Star, retrieved 11 July 2010
  23. ^ a b Office of the Prime Minister of Canada (July 8, 2010). "PM welcomes appointment of David Johnston as Governor General Designate (Media Release)". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 8 July 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |auhtorlink= ignored (help)
  24. ^ Curry, Bill (11 July 2010), "Selection panel ordered to find non-partisan governor-general: PMO", The Globe and Mail, retrieved 11 July 2010
  25. ^ a b {{cite web |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/david-johnston-a-worthy-viceroy/article1633550/ |title=David Johnston: a worthy viceroy |work=Globe and Mail |date=July 9, 2010
  26. ^ "Incoming governor general proud to serve Canadians". CTV News. July 8, 2010.
  27. ^ "Statement from Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff on Governor General Designate David Johnston". July 8, 2010.
  28. ^ "Legal scholar, creative administrator – and he's good in the corners". Globe and Mail. July 8, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  29. ^ "The Best of Canada Indeed", Andrew Coyne
  30. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada. "Canadian Honours Search Page". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 25 June 2010
  31. ^ a b Johnston 2008, p. 6
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