Rita Johnston (born April 22, 1935) was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. Johnson became Canada's first female Premier, when she succeeded William Vander Zalm in 1991.

Much of her early life was spent running a successful trailer park in the city of Surrey, British Columbia.

She first entered politics as a city councillor in Surrey, then as a member of BC's legislative assembly running under the Social Credit Party.

She became a cabinet minister under Premier William Vander Zalm, who was the former mayor of Surrey whom she had previously served under.

She was made deputy premier. When Vander Zalm resigned on April 2, 1991, Johnson succeeded him and became acting premier.

At a Party convention in July 1991 she was formally elected elected leader of the Social Credit Party of BC, in a surprise upset, defeating the favored front-runner Grace McCarthy. Johnson became British Columbia's 28th Premier on April 2, 1991, making her Canada's first female Premier. She served only briefly and was defeated in the November 1991 provincial election by the Michael Harcourt-led B.C. New Democratic Party. She resigned as leader of the BC Social Credit Party on January 11, 1992.

Preceded by: Bill Vander Zalm 1986-1991

Premier of British Columbia 1991

Succeeded by: Michael Harcourt 1991-1996