Celebrate Payette, thank Johnston
Former astronaut Julie Payette is a superb choice to become Canada’s next Governor General.
This is fortunate not only because of the nationally-important job that lies before her but because of the big shoes to fill that are being left behind by her predecessor — David Johnston.
A multilingual Quebecer who trained as an engineer, Payette ignored those who said some jobs were off-limits to women and, after joining the Canadian Space Agency astronaut program, blasted through one of the highest glass ceilings imaginable on her shuttle-rides into space in 1999 and 2009. She was an inspiration to Canadians then. She will continue to inspire when she becomes the Queen’s representative in Canada, a job that will harness Payette’s brilliant mind, matchless work ethic, formidable people skills and her continuing desire to serve her country and its people just as she did in space.
Kudos to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for this appointment.
Yet even as we, and we hope other Canadians, eagerly anticipate the day Payette assumes her new role — and this will include promoting “tolerance, openness and working together” — we believe sincere thanks and praise are owed to David Johnston, the man who has laboured tirelessly as Governor General since 2010.
To be sure, he occupies a place close to the hearts of Waterloo Region residents because of the highly productive years he spent as president of the University of Waterloo.
His contribution to Canada as a nation after that is equally significant.
A respected legal authority, he assumed the vice-regal position when Stephen Harper’s Conservatives were in power as a minority government.
It was possible, then, that Johnston’s constitutional expertise could be called on if that minority government were defeated in a non-confidence vote.
And it was partly in the interest of offering his steady, guiding hand in case the 2015 election delivered problematic results that Johnston generously accepted a two-year extension in his term as Governor General.
When Johnston was first sworn in, he followed two popular and media-savvy governors general: Adrienne Clarkson and Michaëlle Jean.
At the time, some observers felt Johnston lacked their starpower appeal.
But Johnston quietly established his own distinct Governor General brand and became an impressive role model as he forged a bond with Canadians.
Not content to be simply a symbol or figurehead, he left his own stamp on the job and the country.
In an initiative that was fitting considering his Waterloo Region roots, Johnston challenged Canadians to pursue excellence and innovation by creating the Governor General’s Innovation Awards.
In an era when improving relations with Canada’s Indigenous peoples has become an urgent priority, Johnston championed reconciliation.
Having seen how Waterloo Region’s Old Order Mennonites could raise a barn for a neighbour, Johnston called on Canadians to cultivate the same kind of co-operation.
We could be better, he told us, and we could do this by working together.
Johnston, like his immediate predecessors, proved the Governor General is a vital, relevant player in 21st-century Canada. We are grateful for all he has given. We expect Payette will follow a new path that continues the one he blazed.