Academic appointed as Canada’s new representative of the Queen

Academic named Canada’s new governor general

TORONTO — The Canadian government has appointed a new representative of the Queen to replace current Governor General Michaelle Jean.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday that University of Waterloo president David Johnston will become the next governor general at end of September or early October, after Jean’s term officially ends.

Johnston was selected by an advisory group of constitutional experts put together by the Conservative leader.

The governor general performs various ceremonial duties but is also constitutionally mandated to summon parliament and has the power to dissolve parliament or postpone its session.

In a controversial move, Michaelle Jean allowed Harper to discontinue Parliament’s session in 2008 to buy time to thwart an attempt by opposition parties to form a coalition government.