Johnston farewell
Posted Sep 15, 2010 05:41:07 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There was laughter and tears at Bingemans last night, as a sold out crowd gathered to say thank you and goodbye to outgoing University of Waterloo President David Johnston.
Johnston will succeed Michaelle Jean as Governor General on October 1st. The outgoing UW president has been curiously quiet leading up to his installation ceremony, but the Monarchist League of Canada says that shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
“You always have to be careful that you’re not stepping on toes or encroaching on other people’s power,” League chair Bob Finch says in defense of Johnston’s silence. “At the end of the day we only have one Governor General at a time and right now, it’s Michaelle Jean.”
Johnston has kept a very low profile since being named Governor General designate in July. Interview requests have been directed to Heritage Canada but Johnston has granted none since being announced to the post. In a prepared statement delivered in Ottawa in July, Johnston said, “(my wife and I) are proud to have this opportunity to serve Canada and our fellow citizens.”
The country’s next governor general was presented with several gifts during the evening, which ended with a standing ovation.
The gala was closed to the media, but judging from this morning’s Twitter postings, a good time was had by all.
One quoted Johnston as saying he is simply taking “a 5 year sabbatical to Rideau Hall” and plans to return to Waterloo Region afterward.
570 News has also confirmed that the University’s new Research and Technology Park will be renamed in David Johnston’s honour.
The $150 a plate celebration was sold out, and closed to the media.
Johnston will be installed as governor general on October 1st.
