Her Excellency Sharon Johnston appointed Honorary Captain (Navy) for Military Personnel Command

National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Press Release

Her Excellency Sharon Johnston was appointed Honorary Captain (Navy) of Military Personnel Command of the Canadian Armed Forces today at an investiture ceremony at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario.

Lieutenant-General Christine Whitecross, Commander Military Personnel Command, presented Mrs. Johnston with an official scroll signed by Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan.

The responsibilities of honorary appointments include fostering esprit de corps; developing, promoting and sustaining strong community support; establishing and maintaining liaison with unit charities and associations as well as with the commander and other persons with honorary appointments; participating in parades and official functions in which the Command takes part; and advising the commander.

“Her Excellency Sharon Johnston is a distinguished Canadian whose extensive volunteer involvement with medical and educational institutions demonstrates the values of an Honorary Captain (Navy), such as personal commitment and sense of duty. I couldn’t be happier welcoming her to our Command.” - Lieutenant-General Christine Whitecross, Commander Military Personnel Command

Early in her career, Her Excellency Sharon Johnston worked in the area of child psychiatry and obtained her doctorate degree in rehabilitation science, all while raising five daughters with her husband, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston. 

She has volunteered on many administrative boards, including that of the Collège de Marie de France, in Montréal, and Bishop’s College School, in Lennoxville, Québec. She was also a founding member of the Friends of the Neuro volunteer group at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital.

Mrs. Johnston is an avid horse-riding enthusiast. She ran a horse-training centre for 12 years out of Chatterbox Farm, in Ontario, which she shared with her husband.
Mrs. Johnston has also published her first novel, Matrons and Madams (2015), a fictional account of life in southwestern Alberta during the post-Great War era.

October 22nd Ottawa Attack: One Year Anniversary Ceremony

The Government of Canada will hold a ceremony at the National War Memorial on October 22, 2015, at 11 a.m., to commemorate the assault on Parliament Hill one year ago.

The event will also honour the sacrifices of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo, and the bravery of the first responders.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, and other dignitaries will attend the event. Dignitaries will lay wreaths and His Excellency will deliver an address on this occasion. Out going Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau will also be in attendance.

A 21-gun salute will be fired by 30th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery from the lawns of Parliament Hill around 11 a.m.

Four Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets, based out of CFB Bagotville will conduct a flyby in the missing man formation over the National War Memorial at 11:20 a.m.

50 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force will be in attendance in honour of Warrant Officer Vincent as he was an RCAF Firefighter;

50 members of the Canadian Army members including members of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) will be in attendance in honour of Corporal Cirillo.

There will be two 50-person marching contingents of Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Paramedics, Ottawa Fire Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Parliamentary Precinct Guards to honour the First Responders who were at the event of 2014;

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

When: Thursday, October 22, 2015, 11 a.m.

Where: The National War Memorial, 30 Wellington Street, Ottawa

What: A ceremony to commemorate the assault on Parliament Hill and the deaths of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo.

Entry is restricted to journalists accredited through the Parliamentary Press Gallery. To register and for more information on accreditation, contact Terry Guillon, Chief of the Press Gallery, at 613-992-4511 or terry.guillon@parl.gc.ca.