Rita Johnston
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Rita Margaret Johnston | |
|---|---|
| 29th Surrey (1983-1986) | |
| In office May 5, 1983 – October 17, 1991 Serving with William Earl Reid (1983-1986) | |
| Preceded by | Bill Vander Zalm Ernest Hall |
| Succeeded by | Penny Priddy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rita Margaret Leichert April 22, 1935 Melville, Saskatchewan |
| Political party | Social Credit Party (1983-?) BC Conservative (c. 2009-present) |
| Spouse |
George Johnston (m. 1951) |
Rita Margaret Johnston (born April 22, 1935; née Leichert) is a Canadian politician in
The daughter of John Leichert and Annie Chyzzy, she was educated in Vancouver. In 1951, she married George Johnston.[1]
Much of her early life was spent running a trailer park in the city of Surrey, British Columbia.
Political career
Johnston first entered politics as a
She was reelected in 1986 in the newly-created riding of
Vander Zalm appointed Johnston deputy premier in 1990. When Vander Zalm resigned, on April 2, 1991, caucus selected her as interim leader over
At a Social Credit party convention in July 1991, she was formally elected leader of the Socreds in an upset, narrowly defeating the frontrunner Grace McCarthy.[3] However, she had little time to implement any new programs since she faced a statutory general election later that year.
Johnston waited as long as she could, finally calling an election for October. However, her long association with the scandal-plagued Vander Zalm hampered her chances of winning in her own right. Her party was also bitterly divided because of the leadership contest, and she had little time to repair the breach before
The Socreds were heavily defeated by
Johnston herself lost her own seat to the NDP's Penny Priddy by over 10 points, and all but seven members of her cabinet were defeated. Harcourt later said that he preferred facing Johnston rather than McCarthy, believing McCarthy would have been a tougher opponent in a general election.
Johnston resigned as leader of the Social Credit Party on January 11, 1992 and was replaced by McCarthy. After her defeat, Johnston retired from politics and has had a low public profile.
She returned to public life in 2009 as an advisor for the British Columbia Conservative Party.
References
- ^ Normandin, P G (1986). Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1986.
- ^ Baldrey, Keith; Hunter, Justine; Hogben, David; Jeff, Lee (1991-04-03). "Vander Zalm loyalist first woman premier". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1–A2.
- ^ "It's Rita". The Province. 1991-07-21. pp. A1.
