FPSC founder Don Johnston has died

Johnston started the FPSC in 1995 and retired from the organization in 2006. The FPSC says in a statement that it was “extremely saddened” to hear of Johnston’s passing.

“Don’s vision of the establishment of financial planning as a profession in Canada, distinguished by the certified financial planner certification, set the foundation for the evolution of financial planning in Canada,” the statement notes.

“His talent and tenacity brought together a traditionally disparate group of key players in the financial services industry in an unprecedented cooperative effort that brought FPSC (then called the Financial Planners Standards Council of Canada) into existence in November 1995. During his time at the FPSC, he played a leadership role in advancing the financial planning profession, including his election as chairman of the international advisory council to the global Financial Planning Standards Board,” the statement adds.

Prior to the FPSC’s creation, Johnston was vice president and chief operating officer of the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning (CIFPs). Before that, he was a partner and national director of education standards at Ernst and Young LLP. In 2006, the FPSC created the Donald J. Johnston Award to recognize “individuals who have made significant contributions to the financial planning profession.”

A funeral service will be held on March 4 in Hamilton, Ont.