Rita Johnston

Rita Margaret Johnston
29th Premier of British Columbia
In office
April 2, 1991 – November 5, 1991
MonarchElizabeth II
Lieutenant GovernorDavid Lam
Preceded byBill Vander Zalm
Succeeded byMike Harcourt
3rd Deputy Premier of British Columbia
In office
August 10, 1990 – April 2, 1991
PremierBill Vander Zalm
Preceded byGrace McCarthy (1986)
Succeeded byAnita Hagen
Leader of the
British Columbia Social Credit Party
In office
April 2, 1991 – March 7, 1992
Preceded byBill Vander Zalm
Succeeded byJack Weisgerber
Minister of Transportation and Highways of British Columbia
In office
November 1, 1989 – April 15, 1991
PremierBill Vander Zalm
Preceded byNeil Vant
Succeeded byLyall Hanson
Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture of British Columbia
In office
July 6, 1988 – November 1, 1989
PremierBill Vander Zalm
Preceded byHerself (Municipal Affairs)
William Earl Reid (Tourism, Recreation and Culture)
Succeeded byLyall Hanson
Minister of State, Kootenay of British Columbia
In office
October 22, 1987 – July 6, 1988
PremierBill Vander Zalm
Minister of Municipal Affairs of British Columbia
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Transit (1986)
In office
August 14, 1986 – July 6, 1988
PremierBill Vander Zalm
Preceded byJack Heinrich
Succeeded byHerself (Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture)
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Surrey-Newton
Surrey (1983-1986)
In office
May 5, 1983 – October 17, 1991
Serving with William Earl Reid
(1983-1986)
Preceded byBill Vander Zalm
Ernest Hall
Succeeded byPenny Priddy
Personal details
BornRita Margaret Leichert
(1935-04-22) April 22, 1935
PartySocial Credit Party (1983-?)
BC Conservative (c. 2009-present)
Spouse
George Johnston
(m. 1951)
Signature

Rita Margaret Johnston (born April 22, 1935; née Leichert) is a Canadian politician in British Columbia. Johnston became the first female premier in Canadian history when she succeeded Bill Vander Zalm in 1991 to become the 29th premier of British Columbia, serving for seven months. She was a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1983 to 1991, and served in the Vander Zalm ministry as part of the British Columbia Social Credit Party (Socred) caucus, including as deputy premier from 1990 to 1991.