- Born
- Birth nameDavid Lloyd Johnston
- David Johnston was born on June 28, 1941 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He has been married to Sharon Downey since August 29, 1964. They have five children.
- SpouseSharon Downey(August 29, 1964 - present) (5 children)
- Governor General of Canada (1 October 2010 - 2 Octover 2017).
- I'm very concerned about the level of violence in hockey, particularly concussions. I think we have to change the rules of the game to diminish the amount of violence. Yes, it goes at a fast pace, but there's no need to be fighting in hockey. Football, basketball, rugby, soccer - these other sports don't have it. We have no reason to have it.
- I often say Canada is a solution in search of a problem. When you look at countries around the world, are there any that enjoy the healthiness of our communities, the equality of opportunity? If there are, they're rare. Hugh MacLennon in his last book 'Voices in Time' was writing about the end of civilization. One of his characters said, "Civilization is like a garden that is cultivated on the edge of a jungle, and if you don't cultivate it constantly the jungle creeps in and takes over." I think that is true of the civilized life we lead, and I think our greatest enemy is taking that for granted.
- [on participating at Canada's 2014 Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial] I suppose you're not supposed to weep when you wear the military uniform, but you come very close. This one was unique because of the killing of Cpl. Cirillo at the very monument we were rededicating and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When I go through a ceremony like that I'm conscious of two things. One is remembrance, the other is renewal. The remembrance is to honour people who have given their lives for our values, our freedoms. Secondly, to be reaffirmed in the importance of each of us working constantly to build that civilization.
- I was a university president for 27 years. I would have the final words to the graduates. I'd say, "Recognize that you're remarkable people who deserve every bit of the honour we've bestowed on you today. But remember the silent partner, the taxpayer whose contributions have made it possible for you to get the quality of education you have. So as you're going down the street and you see Mr. and Mrs, Everyone, in your mind thank them for their contributions to helping make you the person you are. And what I ask of you is: Vote.."
- [on dealing with PTSD issues in the military] Our people in uniform deserve not only our admiration but our care when care is required. These are men and women who are kind of stiff-upper-lip people. I think we need other people who are pretty acute at listening and encouraging those stiff-upper-lip people to say, "I think something's going on here".
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