Albert Wesley Johnson
Encyclopedia
Albert Wesley Johnson, (October 18, 1923 – November 9, 2010) was a Canadian
civil servant, former president of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
, professor in the department of political science at the University of Toronto
, and author.
Born in Insinger
, Saskatchewan
, he received a Master's in public administration (MPA) from the University of Toronto
and an MPA and a PhD from Harvard University
. He was deputy treasurer of Saskatchewan
from 1952 until 1964. In 1964 he became assistant deputy minister of finance for the federal government. From 1975 until 1982 he was president of the CBC. He subsequently taught at Queen's University
and the University of Toronto.
In 1980 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
and was promoted to Companion in 1996 in recognition of his "outstanding career as a public servant, university professor and consultant on post-secondary education, social policy and public management both nationally and internationally".
He wrote the 2004 book Dream No Little Dreams, A Biography of the Douglas Government of Saskatchewan, 1944–1961 (ISBN 0-8020-8633-0).
After leaving the federal civil service he embarked on an international career:
Returning to Canada in 1999, Johnson became special chair in public policy to the Government of Saskatchewan.
Johnson died in Ottawa at age 87. He was survived by his wife, Ruth (née Hardy), whom he married in 1946, four children and one granddaughter.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
civil servant, former president of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
, professor in the department of political science at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, and author.
Born in Insinger
Insinger, Saskatchewan
Insinger, Saskatchewan is an unincorporated area in the rural municipality of Insinger No. 275, Saskatchewan, in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Insinger is located on Saskatchewan Highway 16, the Yellowhead in south eastern Saskatchewan. Lawrie post office first opened in 1898 at the...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, he received a Master's in public administration (MPA) from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and an MPA and a PhD from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He was deputy treasurer of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
from 1952 until 1964. In 1964 he became assistant deputy minister of finance for the federal government. From 1975 until 1982 he was president of the CBC. He subsequently taught at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
and the University of Toronto.
In 1980 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
and was promoted to Companion in 1996 in recognition of his "outstanding career as a public servant, university professor and consultant on post-secondary education, social policy and public management both nationally and internationally".
He wrote the 2004 book Dream No Little Dreams, A Biography of the Douglas Government of Saskatchewan, 1944–1961 (ISBN 0-8020-8633-0).
After leaving the federal civil service he embarked on an international career:
- Special Advisor on National Provincial Fiscal Arrangements for the International Monetary FundInternational Monetary FundThe International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
1988 - Head of Mission on Administrative Modernization for the Canadian International Development AgencyCanadian International Development AgencyThe Canadian International Development Agency was formed in 1968 by the Canadian government. CIDA administers foreign aid programs in developing countries, and operates in partnership with other Canadian organizations in the public and private sectors as well as other international organizations...
1991 - Senior advisor to South Africa/Canada Program on Governance 1992
- Commissioner of South Africa’s Presidential Review Commission on the Public Service 1996
Returning to Canada in 1999, Johnson became special chair in public policy to the Government of Saskatchewan.
Johnson died in Ottawa at age 87. He was survived by his wife, Ruth (née Hardy), whom he married in 1946, four children and one granddaughter.
Awards and honours
- Vanier Medal 1976
- Companion of the Order of Canada 1997
- Arthur Kroeger College Award for Ethics in Public Affairs 2010