Conservation officer, community activist.
Born on 15 May 1920 on the south bank of the Sipanok Channel, off the Saskatchewan River, to Beatrice Ellen Beresford (1892-1979) and Emil Johanson (1891-?), he was raised at The Pas, where his father was employed by the Town for 47 years. Emil Beresford was involved with the installation of the first diesel plant for electric power, and also worked on various buildings in The Pas, including the Gateway Hotel, as well as other municipal projects. Edwin Johanson served in the Air Force during the Second World War for a little over three years, until his discharge in 1946. In 1947, he married Phyllis Margeurite Zakrison (1918-1982) at Stockholm, Saskatchewan, and they went on to have one child. After spending a few years at Norway House, he moved with his family back to The Pas in 1956.
He worked as a conservation officer with the Department of Natural Resources, was involved in the Trappers Festival, and served on the Hudson Bay Route Association. Sometimes referred to as a local legend for his championing of Manitoba’s North, he was an ardent supporter of the Hudson Bay Railway, which originates in The Pas and terminates at the Port of Churchill. He traversed Canada promoting the development of the port and encouraging the Federal and Provincial Governments to improve access to northern economic opportunities, especially the rail line. A dynamic speaker, he lobbied politicians across Canada to drum up interest in his vision. In 1996, as the Provincial Legislature was voting on a motion to support the Canadian Northern Gateway Transportation Company’s proposal of a business plan to revive the port and the Hudson Bay line, the Legislative Assembly recognized him for his contributions to the promotion of Manitoba’s North. He received a Manitoba Heritage Federation award in 2001.
He died at The Pas on 3 February 2009 and was buried in The Pas Lakeside Cemetery.
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Debates and Proceedings (Hansard), 18 April 1996.
“Edwin Beresford Johanson,” Johanson Family Tree, Ancestry.
“Ed Johanson,” Sam Waller Museum, Manitoba Archival Information Network.
Hudson Bay Route Association, hbra.ca.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 13 March 2025
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