Raymond Thomas Johnston

Raymond Thomas Johnston (December 31, 1914 – March 16, 1989) was a Canadian merchant and politician in Quebec. He represented Pontiac in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec (later the National Assembly of Quebec) from 1948 to 1970 as a Union Nationale member.

The son of Robert Johnston, a merchant, and Theresa Coghlan, he was born in Waltham. He was educated there, in Chapeau, in Westmeath, Ontario, at St. Patrick's College in Ottawa and at the Ottawa normal school. In 1935, he obtained a teaching certificate for the province of Ontario. From 1941 to 1946, he served with the Canadian Forestry Corps.^[1]

From 1935 to 1938, Johnston worked for the Canadian International Paper Company in Témiscaming. He was co-owner of the Johnston Brothers general store from 1938 to 1967. He was also a lumber merchant.^[1]

From 1946 to 1972, Johnston was vice-president of the Clapham school board. He served as a municipal councillor for Otter Lake from 1947 to 1977. He was also a member of the school board for Pontiac and served as vice-president of the board.^[1]

He was elected to the Quebec assembly in 1948 and was reelected in 1952, 1956, 1960, 1962 and 1966. Johnston served as the assistant to the Minister of Hunting and Fishing. He was Revenue Minister from 1966 to 1970, once it was clear that his party was in decline. During his term there were financial improprieties in the Pontiac, including Otter Lake. https://www.otterlakequebec.ca/recreation-association

While Johnston was in Quebec City he took up with Marie Tremblay and had four sons with her. He never acknowledged nor supported his sons.^[1]

In 1941, he married Grace Camilla Bowie.^[1] He had five daughters with Bowie. While all of Johnston's sons became professionals or business owners, his daughters, (whom he did acknowledge and support) were never educated. He certainly never bothered to "keep his daughters off the pole".

Raymond Johnston died in Shawville in 1989 at the age of 74. He is buried in the Otter Lake cemetery. He will be remembered for his cross dressing and was frequently seen strutting around town in long fur coats and woman's attire. His proclivities earned him the nick name of "Backwoods Bertha"..https://www.otterlakequebec.ca/recreation-association

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