Canada's next GG has first official visit with the Queen

Balmoral - David Johnston, Canada's next governor general, had his first official meeting with Queen Elizabeth on Sunday. The visit took place at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Johnston, 69, will become the 28th governor general when Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean’s term ends on Oct. 1. Johnston was invested as Commander of the Order of Military Merit and Commander of the Order of Merit for Police Forces during the visit. He has been a Companion of the Order of Canada since 1997 and becomes Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order as governor general. Johnston’s wife Sharon was made a Companion of the Order of Canada while at Balmoral. “This important meeting marks another step on the path to his installation as The Queen’s representative in Canada,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement. “These are significant Canadian honours and I am confident that they will be held with dignity and grace. “I congratulate both Mr. and Mrs. Johnston on this important milestone and look forward to David Johnston’s installation as Governor General in the coming weeks.” It was announced in July that Johnston, who has been a law professor and president of the University of Waterloo, would become the next governor general.