Canada's Governor General David Johnson took time out to speak to the Guadalajara Reporter during his trip to Guadalajara for the Pan American Games.
How would you describe the relationship between Canada and Mexico at this moment in time?
Mexico is a very high priority for Canada for a whole host of reasons. We’ve had NAFTA since 1994. Mexico is Canada’s second largest supplier of goods and services and Canada is Mexico’s 5th largest supplier. Around 1.6 million Canadians visit Mexico each year – that’s five percent of our population. And there are very good people relationships. I’m a university person and we love the Mexican students that we see in our universities and we love the kind of joint research projects that take place. I think it’s a good relationship and I think it’s important to make it stronger.
How would you explain Canada’s role in international affairs to a Mexican citizen?
Canada has had a long tradition of involvement in world affairs. Peacekeeping has been an important part of our tradition with many great Canadians playing important roles on the world stage – Lester Pearson won the Nobel Prize for Peace for example. I think we’ve always tried to punch a bit above our weight.
What do you feel about the recent ruling giving female members of the Royal Family equal rights of succession?
As a father of five daughters I’m really delighted to see women take their place. I should say that Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge toured Canada for eight or nine days in July and I have to tell you it was an overwhelmingly joyful, exciting tour.
What are the best and worst parts of being governor general?
The best part is that one sees the country from such a lovely angle. From community to community, seeing people in their ordinary walks of life. I never appreciated what a good country it is until I saw what’s happening on the ground with people building communities, building their families and trying to make things better for their neighbors. I see that every day and it gives me great joy. The worst part has to do with the military. I attend the repatriation of fallen soldiers and alas we lost a soldier just two days ago so I will be at Trenton Air Force base when that repatriation occurs early next week.
You’ve had a distinguished career. What will you do after being governor general?
I’ve never really worried that much about the next one. I’m a lawyer. I write books and there are a few of them that need new editions so I’ll probably do a bit of that, and I’ll go back to teaching law.
Why do you think so many Canadians want to come to this part of Mexico to retire?
Physically it’s so attractive. And there’s a long-standing and very warm relationship between Mexican and Canadian people. One of the things I’m told about the Canadian community here is that they are very heavily involved in volunteer activities, which means they don’t see themselves as here for a little sojourn, but very much rooted in the community and committed to the development of prosperity and the betterment of quality of life in Mexico.
Would you ever consider retiring in Mexico?
I’ll certainly come and visit.