Johnston, Donald J., 1936- : Donald James Johnston was born in Ottawa on June 26, 1936.
Mr. Johnston studied at McGill University, graduating in 1958 as the Gold Medalist in law. Before entering politics, Mr. Johnston taught fiscal law at McGill and practiced business and tax law at the Montréal offices of Stikeman Elliot. In 1973, he was founding partner of the law firm Johnston, Heenan, and Blaikie, later known as Heenan Blaikie.
From 1978 to 1988, Mr. Johnston was the Member of Parliament representing the riding of St-Henri-Westmount. He was a member of Cabinet from 1980 to 1984, serving as President of the Treasury Board, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Minister of State for Economic and Regional Development, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. In 1984, Mr. Johnston unsuccessfully campaigned to become the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
As a member of the Official Opposition in the 33rd Canadian Parliament, Mr. Johnston held the critic roles for Finance and External Affairs. In May 1987, Mr. Johnston resigned as an Opposition critic to allow him freedom to advocate against the Meech Lake Accord. In January 1988, Mr. Johnston left the Liberal caucus to sit in the House of Commons as an 'independent Liberal' over the issue of free trade-Mr. Johnston favoured the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement, which was not being supported by the Liberal party's leadership. Mr. Johnston did not seek re-election in the 1988 federal election.
From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Johnston served two terms as the President of the Liberal Party of Canada. During his tenure, he saw the return of a federal majority government for the Liberal Party of Canada.
In 1994, Mr. Johnston was elected the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). As the first non-European to hold this position, Mr. Johnston served two terms, from 1996 to 2006, as the head of this organization.
Upon leaving the OECD, Mr. Johnston returned to Heenan Blaikie as legal counsel, becoming a member of the firm's International Business Law Group. He has also continued to work internationally as a lecturer, consultant and advisor. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Johnston was Chairman of the International Risk Governance Council (IRGC). From 2006 to 2010, he was a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. In 2012, Mr. Johnston served as a Commissioner of the Euro-Atlantic Security Initiative (EASI) of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is currently Chairman of the McCall MacBain Foundation's Board of Directors.
For his contributions to the law, economic policy development, and national and international governance, Mr. Johnston has received numerous awards and honours. He holds honourary doctorates from McGill University, King's College, Bishop's University, McMaster University, and the Economics University of Bratislava. In 2006, Mr. Johnston was honoured with Japan's Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. In 2008, Mr. Johnston was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2011, Mr. Johnston was awarded France's Legion of Honour.
In addition to his 1986 best-selling memoir "Up the Hill," Mr. Johnston has also published numerous articles and books on taxation, law, the economy, and public affairs. His most recent publication is titled "Missing the Tide: Global Governments in Retreat."
Mr. Johnston is married to Heather Bell Maclaren. They have four daughters, Kristina, Allison, Rachel and Sara.
