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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - APRIL 2014
I
N ONE OF
the most important
and notable interviews CIO has
done in the recent years, His Excel-
lency the Right Honourable David
Johnston spoke to the importance of
educating the next generation of Cana-
dians, the role of the business commu-
nity, and our immigration policies, to
the overall economic success of the
country.
Johnston, who was named as
Governor General on July 8, 2010, is
Canada’s 28th individual in the role.
He has played a large part in Canada’s
business and cultural communities
and is active in his role as a representa-
tive for Canada abroad.
The Governor General’s respon-
sibilities have evolved over time, and
currently the post involves exercising
duties as the Head of State and com-
mander-in-chief for Canada.
Johnston represents Canada dur-
ing State visits abroad and receives
Royal visitors, heads of State and for-
eign ambassadors at Rideau Hall and
at the Citadelle of Québec. He is re-
sponsible for presenting honours and
awards to recognize excellence, valour,
bravery and exceptional achievements
of Canadians and is the head of the Ca-
nadian Heraldic Authority.
How has your experience in
business influenced your role as Gov-
ernor General?
I have served on 22 boards in the
business world. Each of us who takes
on the role of Governor General brings
our own experience and interest to this
job, certainly you could characterize
me as a broad spectrum person: I’ve
been a general manager of two uni-
versities for 27 years so my breadth of
knowledge is huge. It’s important in
this role that you feel comfortable in
many areas.
What are the biggest changes
we’ve seen in corporate Canada that
will contribute to a better economic
future?
One of the biggest influences on
our economic future is globalization,
we’re now very much a part of a global
value chain and that means of course
continuing to be a country where our
natural resources are critically impor-
tant. Secondly, the information and
communication revolution has been
big—it’s been even more rapid than
we appreciate. The ground is chang-
ing underneath us in terms of how we
“
One of the big-
gest influences
on our eco-
nomic future is
globalization,
we’re now very
much a part of
a global val-
ue chain and
that means of
course con-
tinuing to be a
country where
our natural
resources are
critically im-
portant.”
GOVERNOR GENERAL
