His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.

Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada

2012 Army Run

The Governor General participated in the 2012 Army Run held in September 2012 in Ottawa. He wished good luck to all participants competing in the five-kilometre and 21-kilometre races. More…

Change of Command Ceremony

His Excellency presided over the ceremony marking the Change of Command of the Chief of the Defence Staff at the Canadian War Museum in October 2012. As Commander-in-Chief, he signed the Change of Command certificates and presented the pennant to the newly appointed Chief of the Defence Staff General Tom Lawson. More…

Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard

Each year, the Governor General performs the inspection of the Ceremonial Guard on the grounds of Rideau Hall. More…

Order of Military Merit Ceremony

The Governor General presides over the Order of Military Merit investiture ceremonies at Rideau Hall. The year 2012 marked the 40th anniversary of the Order. His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Officer level (O.M.M.) to Lieutenant-Colonel Telah Morrison, O.M.M., C.D., 35 Quebec Service Battalion (Québec, Que.). More…

2012 National Remembrance Day Ceremony

As Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency and his wife Mrs. Sharon Johnston attended the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in November 2012. During this ceremony, Their Excellencies lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Canada. More…

Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012

While visiting Canadian Forces members participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) joint and combined multinational force exercise in Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean in July 2012 , the Governor General met with 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron crew, based in Bagotville, Quebec, and deployed for the RIMPAC 2012 exercise. Lieutenant-Colonel Darcy Molstad showed him the cockpit of a CF-18 Hornet. More…

Role of the Commander-in-Chief

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, is the Commander-in-Chief of Canada. In this role, he is responsible for appointing the Chief of the Defence Staff on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, awarding military honours, presenting colours to Canadian Armed Forces regiments, approving new military badges and insignia and signing commission scrolls. He also visits with Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families at home and abroad.

Upon appointment, the Commander-in-Chief receives the Canadian Forces Decoration and becomes a Colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards, the Governor General’s Horse Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards, as well as Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit.

As Commander-in-Chief, the Governor General may, in this capacity, wear a military uniform at events. He wears a flag/general officer uniform with a special flag/general sleeve braid, embellished with the Governor General’s badge, and a large embroidered Governor General’s badge on the shoulder straps or boards.

His Excellency was installed as Canada’s 28th Governor General on October 1, 2010. He is The Queen’s representative in Canada and exercises the duties of Head of State.

For further details, visit the Governor General’s website at www.gg.ca or follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.

Speeches by the Governor General of Canada