Johnston named Canada's next governor general

David Johnston, announced as Canada's next governor general on Thursday, is pledging to be a "stalwart defender" of Canada's heritage, institutions and people.

After weeks of speculation, the Prime Minister's Office said the Canadian legal scholar and president of the University of Waterloo has been approved by the Queen and will take over on Oct. 1 after Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean's term ends.

In a statement to reporters from the Senate foyer in Ottawa, Johnston called the appointment a "mark of confidence that touches me profoundly." He also noted his predecessors, from Samuel de Champlain to Jean, have set a "fine example" for him to follow.

Johnston also said he looked forward to meeting with members of the Canadian Forces.

While others praised Johnston's appointment, the grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said he was disappointed.

Given the progress made between the federal government and aboriginal people with the apology for residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Chief Ron Evans said appointing an aboriginal person to Rideau Hall seemed the next logical step.

Well who the heck is this guy? Some sort of conservative scholar who will puppy himself to Harper? And grant other prorogue to the PM?

What the heck does the GG do anyway? Sure he/she represents the Queen here in Canada, but what the heck does the Queen do for her own country?

After Clarkson and Jean, two media types, here we get someone with some educational knowledge, apparently. But while all of Canada has heard of the two ladies, who the heck has heard of Johnston?

And I think that the grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has a good point. The last two have been immigrants, why not a GG for Canada who has roots in the original Canadians?

Well an old vanilla dude after Clarkson and Jean put some much needed energy into the position. He wants to meet the milatary? Give me a break. University dudes are famous for being not concerned at all with the military.
It should have been a Native Canadian, after all - after an immigrant Chinese and an immigrant Haitian, the time is right for an original Canadian to spread the good word.
Oh yeah, there could be a problem, after all Clarkson and Jean have suckled on the Government teat until it bled; and for the first half of our country all we cared about was defeating the Indians and Metis and watching their blood seep into the earth..

We will see where this story ends up,amigos.