Former MP Dale Johnston finds himself taking on a new role to help farmers across Canada.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz recently announced the appointment of Johnston as the chair of Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) board of directors.
“I’m very pleased to announce that Dale Johnston has agreed to take on the important position of chairperson of FCC’s board of directors,” said Ritz. “Since joining FCC’s board in June, 2011, Mr. Johnston’s knowledge and passion for agriculture has certainly made a mark on the board’s work. Under his leadership, I’m confident FCC will continue to help the sector make great strides, reaching even higher levels of productivity and profitability in the years to come.”
Johnston looks forward to his new role. “I’m flattered but I’m also proud to be working with this group of people.”
He feels FCC is a well run operation and enjoys its role in Canadian agriculture.
“I hope to see agriculture flourish and if we can be a part of that so much the better,” Johnston stated.
As Canada’s leading agricultural lender, FCC is advancing the business of agriculture. With a healthy portfolio of more than $24 billion and 19 consecutive years of portfolio growth, FCC is strong, stable and committed to serving the industry through all business cycles. FCC provides financing, insurance, software, learning programs, and other business services to producers, agribusinesses, and agri-food operations.
Under the board’s leadership, FCC has consistently been a top provider of agriculture financing in Canada. It is on the Top 50 Best Employers in Canada list for the 10th consecutive year, recently placing fifth. FCC also gives back to the community, including collecting over 1.4 million pounds of food and $760,000 for local food banks this year as part of FCC’s Drive Away Hunger campaign.
Headquartered in Regina, FCC is a Crown corporation that reports to Parliament through the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Johnston’s appointment is for a term of three years and is effective immediately.
Johnston owns and operates a mixed farming operation and he brings more than four decades of experience in farming and an extensive career in public service to FCC. Johnston served as a member of Parliament from 1993 to 2006, as well as vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, and vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. He was also a member of the board of Internal Economy and Chief Opposition Whip from 2004 to 2006.
Before his career in Parliament, Johnston was a councillor and the reeve for the County of Ponoka and chairman of the County of Ponoka’s board of education from 1989 to 1992. He also served as a member of the board of directors at the Ponoka General Hospital from 1986 to 1992.
Johnston is a strong supporter of 4-H and continues to be involved in a variety of organizations, including Rural Crime Watch, Loyal Order of |the Moose and Royal Canadian Legion, Ponoka branch.