University president to be next GG: reports

University of Waterloo president David Johnston has been chosen to be the next governor general of Canada, according to reports.

Johnston, known as a legal scholar, will take over from Michaëlle Jean, whose term is ending in September, the Globe and Mail and CTV reported Wednesday night.

Originally from St. Clements, Ont., Johnston taught law at Queen's University and the University of Toronto. He was also the principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University and dean of the faculty of law at the University of Western Ontario.

Johnston, 69, also served on provincial and federal task forces and committees.

Most recently, Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked Johnston to advise the Conservative government on what shape a public inquiry into the Mulroney-Schreiber affair should take.