Elizabeth Parr-Johnston
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Parr-Johnston, CM
(born Elizabeth H. Parr in 1939 in New York, NY
) is the Managing Partner of Parr-Johnston Consultants, an economic policy
consultancy based in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
. Dr. Parr-Johnston is a past president of 2 Canadian Universities, a recipient of the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
in 1992, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
in 2002 and the Order of Canada
in 2008.
, Dr. Parr-Johnston moved to Canada
. She taught Economics at the University of Western Ontario
, Huron College, the University of British Columbia
and Carleton University
. Dr. Parr-Johnston would relocate to the United States of America briefly in 1971 to teach at her Father’s alma mater
, Wesleyan University
before returning to Canada to join the federal civil service
in various capacities over the next 5 years. In 1974, Dr. Parr-Johnston completed her doctoral work and earned her PhD
in Economics
from Yale University.
where she held numerous senior positions over her 10 year tenure.
during the short-lived Conservative
minority government. Among her many accomplishments at the Ministry, Dr. Parr-Johnston was involved in the secret extraction of six American Embassy workers who escaped to the safety of the Canadian Embassy in Tehran
during the Iran hostage crisis
.
in Halifax, Nova Scotia
. She served a full five year term, leading Canada’s only university dedicated primarily to the education of women. On June 16, 1995, coinciding with the 21st G7 summit
taking place in Halifax
, Dr. Parr-Johnston awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters
to First Lady
of the United States of America
, Hillary Clinton, a fellow alumna of Wellesley College. The mount has established an endowed scholarship in the name of Dr. Parr-Johnston.
in Fredericton, New Brunswick
in 1996. She completed one full six-year term in office before retiring to Nova Scotia
with her husband Archie. In 2004, Dr. Parr-Johnston returned to UNB and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters
for her contributions to the field of education.
announced the appointment of Dr. Parr-Johnston to the Independent Panel for Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing. The purpose of the Panel was to examine the existing system of Federal transfer payments to the Provinces and to recommend necessary changes to the process. The final report was delivered to the Minister in May 2006 and was adopted in its entirety by the Prime Minister of Canada
.
as a Member of the Order of Canada
, Canada’s highest civilian honour. Dr. Parr-Johnston was recognized for her lifetime contributions to the field of education. The Investiture Ceremony programme read as follows:
For decades, Elizabeth Parr-Johnston has made important contributions to the educational and voluntary sectors in Canada. As president of two universities in Atlantic Canada, she was highly respected for creating increased opportunities for women, notably by mentoring female faculty and by making education more accessible to women. Her expertise and wise counsel have been sought by public, private and community boards including those of the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation, the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies and Symphony Nova Scotia. As head of her own consulting company, she continues to contribute to public policy development in Canada.
(ΧΨ) Fraternity. Her brother, Dr. Grant V.S. Parr, is the former Chief of Cardiothoracic surgery
at Atlantic Health. Her sister Sally Cerny is an Instructor of Psychology at Rutgers University
.
On March 9, 1982, at the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto, Ontario, Dr. Parr-Johnston married Archibald F. Johnston, former Vice President of General Electric
. Between them, they have 6 children, all from prior marriages. Archie died on January 23, 2010. Currently, Dr. Parr-Johnston resides in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
.
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...
(born Elizabeth H. Parr in 1939 in New York, NY
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) is the Managing Partner of Parr-Johnston Consultants, an economic policy
Economic policy
Economic policy refers to the actions that governments take in the economic field. It covers the systems for setting interest rates and government budget as well as the labor market, national ownership, and many other areas of government interventions into the economy.Such policies are often...
consultancy based in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
Chester Basin is a Canadian rural community in the Chester Municipal District. It had a population of just over 2,000 residents in 2001.Named after its founder, Clarence Chester, its name was brought about by the famous saying coined by Chester; "The world is your basin", and consequently the...
. Dr. Parr-Johnston is a past president of 2 Canadian Universities, a recipient of the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada...
in 1992, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II...
in 2002 and 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...
in 2008.
Academia & Civil Service
In 1962, after completing her Masters in Economics from Yale UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, Dr. Parr-Johnston moved to Canada
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...
. She taught Economics at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
, Huron College, the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
and Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
. Dr. Parr-Johnston would relocate to the United States of America briefly in 1971 to teach at her Father’s alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
before returning to Canada to join the federal civil service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
in various capacities over the next 5 years. In 1974, Dr. Parr-Johnston completed her doctoral work and earned her PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from Yale University.
Private Sector
Dr. Parr-Johnston accepted the position of Senior Policy Analyst and Director of Government Affairs at Inco in 1976 where she remained for 3 years. She returned to the private sector in 1980, joining Shell CanadaShell Canada
Shell Canada Limited is the subsidiary of Dutch-based Royal Dutch Shell and one of Canada's largest integrated oil companies. Exploration and production of oil, natural gas and sulphur is a major part of its business, as well as the marketing of gasoline and related products through the company's...
where she held numerous senior positions over her 10 year tenure.
Employment & Immigration Canada
In 1979, Dr. Parr-Johnston won a political appointment as the Chief of Staff to Ron Atkey, the Canadian Minister of Employment and ImmigrationMinister of Employment and Immigration (Canada)
The Minister of Employment and Immigration was an office in the Cabinet of Canada, in operation from 1977 to 1996. On July 12, 1996, the office of the Minister of Employment and Immigration was abolished and replaced with the office of Minister of Human Resources Development...
during the short-lived Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
minority government. Among her many accomplishments at the Ministry, Dr. Parr-Johnston was involved in the secret extraction of six American Embassy workers who escaped to the safety of the Canadian Embassy in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
during the Iran hostage crisis
Iran hostage crisis
The Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States where 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981, after a group of Islamist students and militants took over the American Embassy in Tehran in support of the Iranian...
.
Mount Saint Vincent University
In 1991, Dr. Parr-Johnston was installed as the 8th President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Saint Vincent UniversityMount Saint Vincent University
Mount Saint Vincent University is a university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was established in 1873 and is locally referred to as The Mount.-History:...
in Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
. She served a full five year term, leading Canada’s only university dedicated primarily to the education of women. On June 16, 1995, coinciding with the 21st G7 summit
21st G7 summit
The 21st G7 summit was held from June 15 to June 17, 1995 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The venue for this summit meeting was Summit Place in Halifax...
taking place in Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, Dr. Parr-Johnston awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
to First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
of the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Hillary Clinton, a fellow alumna of Wellesley College. The mount has established an endowed scholarship in the name of Dr. Parr-Johnston.
University of New Brunswick
Dr. Parr-Johnston was installed as the 16th President of the University of New BrunswickUniversity of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
in Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
in 1996. She completed one full six-year term in office before retiring to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
with her husband Archie. In 2004, Dr. Parr-Johnston returned to UNB and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
for her contributions to the field of education.
Boards of Directors & Trustees
- ScotiabankScotiabankThe Bank of Nova Scotia , commonly known as Scotiabank , is the third largest bank in Canada by deposits and market capitalization. It serves some 18.6 million customers in more than 50 countries around the world and offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial,...
- Emera Incorporated
- Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy
- Millennium Scholarships
- W.L. Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships
- FutureGenerations Canada
- Sustainable Development Technology Canada
- National Theater School
- Council of Canadian Academies
- Empire Company Limited
- Chester Golf Club
- FPI Limited
Equalization
On March 20, 2005, the Canadian Minister of FinanceMinister of Finance (Canada)
The Minister of Finance is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible each year for presenting the federal government's budget...
announced the appointment of Dr. Parr-Johnston to the Independent Panel for Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing. The purpose of the Panel was to examine the existing system of Federal transfer payments to the Provinces and to recommend necessary changes to the process. The final report was delivered to the Minister in May 2006 and was adopted in its entirety by the Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
.
Order of Canada
On February 22, 2008, Dr. Parr-Johnston was installed by the Governor General of CanadaGovernor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
as a Member 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...
, Canada’s highest civilian honour. Dr. Parr-Johnston was recognized for her lifetime contributions to the field of education. The Investiture Ceremony programme read as follows:
For decades, Elizabeth Parr-Johnston has made important contributions to the educational and voluntary sectors in Canada. As president of two universities in Atlantic Canada, she was highly respected for creating increased opportunities for women, notably by mentoring female faculty and by making education more accessible to women. Her expertise and wise counsel have been sought by public, private and community boards including those of the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation, the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies and Symphony Nova Scotia. As head of her own consulting company, she continues to contribute to public policy development in Canada.
Education
- Grover Cleveland High SchoolJames Caldwell High SchoolJames Caldwell High School is an American four-year comprehensive public high school in West Caldwell, in Essex County, New Jersey, operating as part of the Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools. The school is named after American Revolutionary War figure Reverend James Caldwell...
– ValedictorianValedictorianValedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
, 1957 - Wellesley College – B.A.Bachelor of ArtsA Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
EconomicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, 1961 (ΦΒΚ),(Woodrow Wilson FellowWoodrow Wilson National Fellowship FoundationThe Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation is a private non-profit foundation based in Princeton, New Jersey. It administers programs that support leadership development and build organizational capacity in education. Its current signature program is the...
) - Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
– M.A.Master of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
EconomicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, 1962 - Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
– PhDDoctor of PhilosophyDoctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
EconomicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, 1974 - Harvard Business SchoolHarvard Business SchoolHarvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
– Advanced Management Program - University of New BrunswickUniversity of New BrunswickThe University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
– D.Litt.Doctor of LettersDoctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
(Honorary), 2004
Personal life
Dr. Parr-Johnston is the oldest child of F. Van S. Parr, Jr. and Helene Parr. Her late father was the Senior Partner of Whitman & Ransom and former National President of the Chi PsiChi Psi
Chi Psi Fraternity is a fraternity and secret society consisting of 29 active chapters at American colleges and universities. It was founded on Thursday May 20, 1841, by 10 students at Union College with the idea of emphasizing the fraternal and social principles of a brotherhood...
(ΧΨ) Fraternity. Her brother, Dr. Grant V.S. Parr, is the former Chief of Cardiothoracic surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax —generally treatment of conditions of the heart and lungs .-Cardiac / Thoracic:...
at Atlantic Health. Her sister Sally Cerny is an Instructor of Psychology at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
.
On March 9, 1982, at the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto, Ontario, Dr. Parr-Johnston married Archibald F. Johnston, former Vice President of General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
. Between them, they have 6 children, all from prior marriages. Archie died on January 23, 2010. Currently, Dr. Parr-Johnston resides in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
Chester Basin is a Canadian rural community in the Chester Municipal District. It had a population of just over 2,000 residents in 2001.Named after its founder, Clarence Chester, its name was brought about by the famous saying coined by Chester; "The world is your basin", and consequently the...
.
Biographies
Addresses
- Address to Couchiching Conference, 1993
- Best Practices for Audit Committee Effectiveness – October 2006