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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 actingFor legal meaning of acting see Acting (law). Acting is the work of an actor/actress a person in theatre, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play. 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 McCarthyGrace McCarthy (born 1928) was a Canadian politician in British Columbia, nicknamed Amazing Grace by members of her party, and a longtime member of the Social Credit Party of B. She was largely responsible for rebuilding the party after its defeat in the. Johnson became British Columbia's 28th PremierA premier is an executive official of government. In many nations the term "premier" is used interchangeably with the title of " prime minister. For example, the "Italian Premier" or the "Japanese Premier. In the People's Republic of China it is used some on April 2April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. Events 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon sets foot on Florida becoming the first known European to do so. 1755 Commodore William James captures pirate fortr, 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.