On March 17, David Johnston, Law’66, LLD’91, accepted Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s offer to remain Governor General of Canada until September 2017.

The extension means he will be presiding over the year-long celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017.

Johnston may also be putting to the test his expertise in constitutional law – a subject he learned from William Lederman, the first Dean of Law at Queen’s University – following the federal election in October, which may result in a hung Parliament.

“He has made remarkable contributions to Canada in his role as the Queen’s representative in Canada, performing his duties with dignity, wisdom and aplomb,” Harper said in a statement. “I look forward to him continuing his fine work in this critical role.”

Johnston, a key figure at Queen’s, last visited his alma mater on Oct. 13, 2012, for three events. He accepted the Queen’s University Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award, had an informal discussion with 150 law students, and officially opened the refurbished Faculty of Law Student Lounge in Macdonald Hall, where his portrait is displayed to commemorate the momentous occasion.

Read more about Johnston’s extended term:
•    "Harper extends Governor-General David Johnston’s term until 2017," by John Ibbitson, published in the Globe and Mail.
•    "David Johnston extends stay as Governor General," by Bruce Campion-Smith, published in the Star.
•    "Gov. Gen. David Johnston gets two-year job extension," by Daniel Katz, published in the Ottawa Citizen.