Terry Johnson, a former farmer in the McAuley area, now a Virden resident, wears several hats, working with organizations on behalf of Virden and the larger area.
His latest appointment puts him in the service of the Province of Manitoba, as one of four members recently appointed to the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission (CEC). Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox made the announcement in late December.
“The Manitoba Clean Environment Commission plays an integral role in informing our government on matters related to environmental issues and licensing,” said Cox. “We rely on the opinions of experts and widely collected public input to help guide our environmental policies, which the commission helps to facilitate. I look forward to the important contributions these new members will make to the commission.”
Johnson also anticipates his upcoming new role with the CEC this spring. “To be asked to sit on boards such as this is a humbling thing in my opinion.”
When he stepped down from serving on Town of Virden Council, Johnson continued as a representative for Virden on the Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District Sub-district Board (Scallion Creek).
Recently, he represents Virden on the Assiniboine River Basin Initiative, along with chairing the steering committee for the Aquanty project (computer-based modeling of land use and flood mitigation strategies).
Johnson says his keen interest in the environment is a bit of a family tradition as well.
“From my point of view, we’re all sailing around through space on one planet that we call home, so there’s an obligation to try and leave it a better place than what you found it.
I’m going to go in with my best foot forward to try and do the best job I can as a commissioner for the board.”
Johnson has accrued experience over the years, since he first worked for Manitoba Hydro in both engineering and construction roles.
When they retired from actively farming, he and his wife Joan moved to Virden.
It was then Johnson worked in agriculture lending and risk assessment at Virden’s Credit Union.
Johnson has extensive experience in municipal public service, notably as councillor and reeve to the RM of Archie, and as councillor and deputy mayor to the Town of Virden.
Until recently, Johnson sat on the Board of Directors for Prairie Mountain Health.
“I have had the privilege of sitting on a lot of federal, provincial, and municipal boards over 30 some years, and I am very thankful I was asked to do these sorts of things.”
The Clean Environment Commission, established under the Environment Act, offers recommendations to the minister of sustainable development on environmental policies and also provides an avenue through which the public can participate in the decision-making process regarding the environment in Manitoba.
Other new appointmentsto the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission include Ian Gillies, Tim Sopuck, and Laurie Streich.
Gillies worked at Cargill Limited in various capacities from 1984 until 2013. He has also served as a consultant at KPMG and worked for the government of Canada as a policy advisor to the Federal Economic Development Office in Manitoba.
He has volunteered on boards of several non-profits including United Way of Winnipeg and Macdonald Youth Services.
Sopuck is CEO of the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, a corporation he has worked with since 1991.
He has also served in leadership roles with Fort Whyte Alive and Ducks Unlimited Canada. Sopuck has served on the board of directors for the Assiniboine River Basin Initiative and Canadian Land Trust Alliance.
Streich previously worked as a reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press and then held various positions in the Manitoba government which focused on reporting on environment. She currently manages Frogbox Winnipeg, an environmentally conscious company which supplies reusable moving boxes and supplies.
Cox also thanked previous members for their past service to Manitoba Clean Environment Commission and to the Province of Manitoba.
