David Johnston
Sworn in on October 1, 2010, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston is the 28th governor general since Confederation. 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.
Bio last updated April 30th, 2018.
Articles by David Johnston
For Peace Comes Dropping Slow
By David Johnston
May 30, 2017
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, participates in a non-partisan and apolitical way, at a variety of events across the country to meet with Canadians in order to encourage dialogue, promote national identity and foster national unity. On May 18, 2017, His Excellency attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa during which he delivered these remarks on faith. Convivium is delighted to publish his inspiring words.
I want to end this brief journey through the The Queen’s inspiring dedication to faith, service and love by appraising the impact of her observations and her life We can surely be grateful that, 2000 years after the birth of Jesus, so many of us are able to draw inspiration from his life and message, and to find in him a source of strength and courage Sixty-one years later, in her 2008 Christmas broadcast, she said: “I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life As we reflect on The Queen’s 91 years of life and 65 years on the Throne, again and again we see the theme of steadfast service persists Former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks of the United Kingdom recently said: “We do not always appreciate the role the Queen has played in one of the most significant changes in the past sixty years: the transformation of Britain into a multi-ethnic, multi-faith society
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A Conversation with David Johnston
Raymond J. de Souza and David Johnston
May 19, 2017
At the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Governor-General David Johnston gave profoundly moving remarks about the power of religious faith as exemplified by Queen Elizabeth, and in his own life. We're seeking a transcript for Convivium readers, but for this Victoria Day weekend we're reprising Editor-in-Chief Father Raymond de Souza's 2013 interview with the Queen's representative in Canada..
It’s particularly important for a country such as Canada that’s a middle power in the world, that doesn’t see all things through the barrel of a gun or a particular balance of trade, to strengthen those relationships so they work very well Because we’re so blessed in Canada, we have a tendency to co...
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Small Talk
Raymond J. de Souza and David Johnston
April 1, 2013
Governor General David Johnston meets Convivium’s editor-in-chief in Rome to discuss faith, diplomacy and a new pope
RJS: Pope Benedict, now retired, spoke on the eve of his election about the contest between proposing Christian truth and the dictatorship of relativism, and he spent most of his life on university campuses before he came to the Holy See DJ: One thing is to reinforce the spiritual life of Canadians:...