Canada’s next governor general to be announced Thursday by prime minister
OTTAWA — The federal government is set to reveal Canada’s next governor general Thursday with an announcement outside the doors of the Senate.
Sources are telling The Canadian Press and others that astronaut Julie Payette is among the top contenders.
The 53-year-old Montrealer, who speaks six languages, was picked from 5,330 applicants in 1992 to be one of four new astronauts with the Canadian Space Agency. Payette took part in two space flights to the International Space Station and was as the CSA’s chief astronaut between 2000 and 2007.
Multiple officials say that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make the announcement himself, and is expected to be flanked by the new viceregal just as Gov. Gen. David Johnston stood alongside Stephen Harper when he was tapped for the job in 2010.