Howard Johnston

Background

Johnston was born in Enderby, British Columbia and grew up on a farm in the Okanagan Valley.

Education

He studied English and History at university and became a high school teacher.

Career

He joined the British Columbia Social Cr Party prior to its breakthrough in the 1952 provincial election and remained involved with the party. He was approached to run for it in the 1960s. He was first elected in 1965 under the Social Cr Party of Canada in the Okanagan—Revelstoke electoral district, serving in the 27th Canadian Parliament.

Following riding boundary changes, he was defeated in the 1968 federal election in the Okanagan—Kootenay riding.

He made another unsuccessful attempt to gain the riding in the 1972 federal election, this time switching to the Progressive Conservative Party. Johnston took up painting after retiring from politics.

Achievements

• In the 1974 federal election, he won Okanagan—Kootenay and served one term as a Progressive Conservative in the 30th Canadian Parliament before retiring at the 1979 federal election.