TORONTO – “It’s time for Canada to boldly go where no country has gone before.”
That phrase leads off a Facebook page calling for Canadian-born actor William Shatner to be named Canada’s next Governor General. About 10,700 people have signed on to the page suggesting Capt. Kirk beam into Rideau Hall once Michaelle Jean beams out.
Jean’s five-year mission will soon expire and Prime Minister Stephen Harper is considering who will replace her.
The Facebook page asks fans to imagine Shatner reading the throne speech in that Capt. Kirk style “we have come to know and love.”
The Montreal-born Shatner recently sang Canada’s praises during the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics.
Wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen was recently mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Jean, but a spokeswoman for the Man in Motion said Hansen has not been offered the job.
Other possibilities include John de Chastelain, a former chief of defence staff and Canadian ambassador to the United States, Inuit leader Mary Simon and Reform Party founder Preston Manning.
A Facebook page set up in March to promote Manning for the vice-regal position has less than 500 fans.
