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 11,400 people have signed on to the page suggesting Capt. James T. 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 Captain Kirk style “we have come to know and love.”
A Shatner spokeswoman said the actor was “on set” Thursday and would not be available to comment.
However, in a good-natured response to a similar effort last year, he said he would prefer to be prime minister rather than take on the ceremonial post of governor general.
“As prime minister, I can lead Canada into even greater exploits so, therefore, I must — with my deepest thanks — turn down your honourable intent to advance me as governor general,” he wrote.
“Besides which, I don’t have time to be governor general.”
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.
However, another Facebook page pushing Canadian bard Leonard Cohen for governor general is closing in on 6,500 fans.