As he has done with previous appointments, agriculture minister Gerry Ritz has dipped into his pool of former political colleagues to choose the new chair of the Farm Credit Canada board.
Alberta farmer and 13-year Reform and Conservative MP Dale Johnston was named by Ritz to lead the board of the Regina-based FCC.
He retired from politics in 2006, serving for nine years in opposition with Ritz, including two years until he retired as chief opposition whip, the party disciplinarian responsible for keeping MPs in line for votes and committee work.
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Johnston’s three-year term was announced Dec. 14, effective immediately.
Ritz appointed Johnston to the FCC board in 2011 and in the Dec. 14 announcement, he was lauded by the minister for his “knowledge and passion for agriculture.”
Johnston replaces Gill Shaw, a Brandon, Man., farm finance executive who served as chair for six years until his term ended this year.
Ritz has a history of appointing ideological friends and supporters to positions under his control.
It includes his appointment of former Saskatchewan Reform MP Elwin Hermanson, his predecessor as Kindersley-Lloydminster MP and an MP for whom Ritz worked in the constituency, as chief commissioner for the Canadian Grain Commission.
He also has appointed members of other government-friendly farm groups to positions on federal boards including the CWB, CGC and National Farm Products Marketing Council.
