Can Man Dan

Johnstone was born in Edmonton, Alberta on July 31, 1987, during the notorious Edmonton tornado that claimed 27 lives, and he is the eldest son of Pamela Johnstone.{{cite news|date=2015-07-28|title=Can Man Dan on CTV Alberta Primetime|publisher=CTV Alberta Primetime|url=http://alberta.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=667190&binId=1.2002989&playlistPageNum=1}} Growing up in a single mother household along with his brother, they were often dependent on local charities such as the Christmas Bureau, the Adopt-A-Teen campaign, and the Edmonton Food Bank. After high school, Johnstone studied at MacEwan University for a year before leaving after his mother fell ill.{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/12/16/can-man-dan-an-adopt-a-teen-success-story|title=Can Man Dan success story: Dan Johnstone a.k.a "Can Man Dan"|publisher=Edmonton Sun|date=2014-12-16}}

Johnstone's activism and philanthropy work began in Edmonton in the June 2011, when he began going door-to-door around various neighbourhoods{{cite news|date=2015-07-28|title=Edmonton Aboriginal News|publisher=Aboriginal multi-media society|url=http://www.ammsa.com/publications/alberta-sweetgrass/edmonton-aboriginal-news-briefs-january-2015}} by himself collecting food and clothing donations for various charities, such as the Edmonton Food Bank, the youth shelter, and various homeless shelters and soup kitchens.{{cite news|date=2015-01-22|title=Can Man Dan's Plan|publisher=NAIT News Watch|url=http://naitnewswatch.ca/blogs/can-man-dans-plan/}} In June 2021, Johnstone announced that his 10 years of fundraising and activism as "Can Man Dan" has raised $4.4 million for people in need across Alberta.{{cite news|date=2021-06-20|title=Edmonton's Can Man Dan celebrates 10 years of fundraising|publisher=Global News|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/7966588/edmontons-can-man-dan-celebrates-10-years-of-fundraising}}

While Johnstone hosts many community events around Alberta, he is perhaps best known for his annual Christmas campaign,{{cite news|date=2015-12-05|title=Can Man Dan is at it again|publisher=Channel 12|url=http://www.channel12.ca/syn/110/78926/can-man-dan-is-at-it-again}}{{cite news|author=Trevor Robb|title=Can. Done. Did|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2012/01/03/can-done-did|url-status=dead|access-date=2013-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520062721/http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2012/01/03/can-done-did|archive-date=2015-05-20}}{{cite news|date=2015-12-03|title=Can Man Dan at it again to help Edmonton's less fortunate|publisher=Global News|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2377953/can-man-dan-at-it-again-to-help-edmontons-less-fortunate/}} where every December, Johnstone camps out for weeks in the back of a tractor-trailer, aiming to fill it with food and toy donations for children and families in need.{{cite news|date=2012-12-12|title=Can Man Dan camps out for Edmonton's Food Bank|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2012/12/12/can-man-dan-camps-out-for-edmontons-food-bank}} Due to the severity of the winters commonly found in Alberta,{{cite news|date=2013-12-22|title=Can Man Dan camps out before Christmas for the Food Bank|publisher=Metro Edmonton|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2013/12/22/edmontons-can-man-dan-camps-out-before-christmas-for-the-food-bank.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820052641/http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2013/12/22/edmontons-can-man-dan-camps-out-before-christmas-for-the-food-bank.html|archive-date=2016-08-20}} and the freezing cold temperatures that go along with them, these campouts have become highly publicized and staple events for many charities and other grassroots programs.{{cite news|date=2014-12-12|title=Can Man Dan camps out for Calgary's Food Bank|publisher=660 News|url=http://www.660news.com/2014/12/12/can-man-dan-camps-out-for-the-food-bank/}}{{cite news|date=2015-12-06|title=Can Man Dan camp out raises food and funds for Edmonton Food Bank|publisher=Yahoo News|url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/man-dan-camp-raises-food-211220405.html}} Can Man Dan's holiday campaign has raised millions of dollars in funding and resources for various charities and people in need across Alberta.{{cite news|date=2014-12-08|title=Can Man Dan campout nets 20000 pounds for food bank|work=CBC News|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/can-man-dan-camp-out-nets-20-000-lbs-of-food-for-food-bank-1.2864418|access-date=2014-12-08}}{{cite news|date=2015-12-16|title=#38 Can Man Dan|publisher=Food non-fiction|url=http://www.foodnonfiction.com/2015/12/38-can-man-dan.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916194649/http://www.foodnonfiction.com/2015/12/38-can-man-dan.html|archive-date=2016-09-16}}{{cite news|date=2015-12-18|title=Can Man Dan hits southern Alberta|publisher=Shaw TV Lethbridge|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ftu7NQ_57Y}} Johnstone has also hosted many other charitable events around Alberta, including his annual "We're Here For Ya Day" event, where he offers free hair services, a barbecue meals, personal hygiene products, school supplies, fresh bread, and food hampers to thousands of low-income individuals.{{cite news |date=2015-09-09 |title=Can Man Dan helps families |publisher=Edmonton Examiner |url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2015/09/09/can-man-dan-helps-families-with-the-small-things |url-status=dead |access-date=2015-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014180442/http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2015/09/09/can-man-dan-helps-families-with-the-small-things |archive-date=2015-10-14}}{{cite news|author=Jennifer Ivanov|title=Food hampers and haircuts: Can Man Dan helps hundreds in Edmonton|publisher=Global News|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2920768/food-hampers-and-haircuts-can-man-dan-helps-hundreds-in-edmonton//}}{{cite news|date=2013-05-08|title=Cutting Out Hunger fundraiser featured free hair cuts, hot dogs, ice cream and food donations to the Food Bank|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2013/05/08/cutting-out-hunger-fundraiser-featured-free-hair-cuts-hot-dogs-ice-cream-and-food-donations-to-the-food-bank}}{{cite news|date=2014-09-04|title=Can Man Dan is here for ya|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2014/09/03/in-its-second-year-can-man-dans-were-here-for-ya--event-in-edmonton-gives-away-food-haircuts-and-hair-products-takes-in-donations-for-food-bank|url-status=dead|access-date=2014-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006140437/http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2014/09/03/in-its-second-year-can-man-dans-were-here-for-ya--event-in-edmonton-gives-away-food-haircuts-and-hair-products-takes-in-donations-for-food-bank|archive-date=2014-10-06}}

In June 2013, Can Man Dan provided immediate assistance to Calgary's Food Bank and those affected by the 2013 Alberta floods in the form of 5000 pounds of food.{{cite news |url=http://globalnews.ca/video/675525/businesses-help |date=2012-12-18 |title=Businesses help |access-date=2013-09-05}} In both December 2013 and December 2014, local Edmonton chain restaurant, Delux Burger Bar, featured Can Man Dan as their "Celebrity Chef."{{cite news|url=http://www.btedmonton.ca/videos/3919368547001/|title=Can Man Dan at it again!|publisher=Edmonton Breakfast Television|date=2014-12-04}}{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEa-i3ov_oU|title=Can Man Dan appears on City TV's BT|publisher=City TV|date=2014-12-02}} Delux Burger Bar locations across Edmonton added the Can Man Dan burger to their menus, and gave a portion of sales to the Edmonton Food Bank on Dan's behalf. Dan also arranged to have the Can Man Dan burger served to hundreds of Edmonton's homeless & less fortunate as he hosted "Burger Night" at one of Edmonton's local homeless shelters. Johnstone made headlines in April 2014 after he announced that he would wrestle in a professional wrestling match with Canadian wrestling promotion, the PWA (The Prairie Wrestling Alliance) to raise money, food and awareness for Edmonton's homeless youth population.{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2014/04/23/edmontons-can-man-dan-will-wrestle-against-pros-to-help-raise-funds-for-yess|title=Can Man Dan fights for youth|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|date=2014-04-26|access-date=2014-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180011/http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2014/04/23/edmontons-can-man-dan-will-wrestle-against-pros-to-help-raise-funds-for-yess|archive-date=2014-07-14|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ipick.ca/edmonton/edmontons-can-man-dan-will-wrestle-against-pros-to-help-raise-funds-for-yess|title=Edmonton's Can Man Dan will fight pro's to help raise money for YESS|publisher=iPick|date=2014-04-23}} Despite suffering a fractured nose during the bout, Johnstone ultimately won his debut wrestling match raising thousands of dollars and thousands of pounds of food for Edmonton's Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS), an organization that Dan's mother had used when she was a teenager. In the spring of 2015, Johnstone started a new community project aimed to help struggling locally owned businesses attain new customers called "Localive".{{cite news|url=http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=603677&binId=1.1203428&playlistPageNum=1|title=Localive|publisher=CTV Edmonton|date=2015-04-30}}

In the summer of 2015, Johnstone was voted in by Edmonton's general public to serve as an honorary parade marshal for their annual K-Days festival parade. Johnstone, along with five other community heroes and various departments of Edmonton's first responders, were made honorary parade marshals and each given $2500 to donate to a charity of their choice.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2095294/meet-the-local-heroes-who-are-honorary-k-days-parade-marshals/|title=Meet the local heroes who are Honorary K-Days Parade Marshals|publisher=Global News|author=Gabrielle Brown|date=2015-07-08}}{{cite news |date=2015-07-08 |title=Edmonton K-Days' parade marshals announced |publisher=Edmonton Sun |url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/07/07/who-should-be-edmontons-k-days-parade-marshal}}{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/Local+first+responders+will+lead+Days+parade+marshals/11198642/story.html|title=Local first responders will lead the way as K-Days parade marshals|publisher=Edmonton Journal|date=2015-07-08}} In November 2015, a press release was issued announcing that Johnstone was made honorary chairman and official ambassador for Edmonton's Adopt-A-Teen program, a social program that Dan and his family used when he was growing up. Since being made Adopt-A-Teen's honorary chairman in 2015, Johnstone has helped provide thousands of low-income and underprivileged teenagers with a $50 gift card for Christmas.{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/12/08/can-man-dan-shares-how-50-edmonton-sun-adopt-a-teen-saved-christmas-for-family|title=Can Man Dan shares how Adopt-A-Teen saved Christmas|publisher=Edmonton Sun|date=2015-12-08}}{{cite news|url=http://www.inews880.com/2015/12/15/adopt-a-teen-needs-your-help/|title=Adopt A Teen needs your help|publisher=iNews880|date=2015-12-15}}{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/12/25/thousands-of-edmonton-teens-have-reason-to-celebrate-on-christmas|title=Thousands of teens have a reason to celebrate|publisher=Edmonton Sun|date=2015-12-25}}{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/12/21/edmonton-anti-poverty-activist-can-man-dan-wraps-up-his-feed-alberta-tour-this-week|title=Can Man Dan wraps up his Feed Alberta Tour|publisher=Edmonton Sun|date=2015-12-21}} Johnstone made national headlines in December 2015 as he announced that he would spend the month touring Alberta and camping out in various cities to raise resources for multiple food banks across the province affected by the economic downturn.{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/12/02/edmonton--anti-poverty-activist-can-man-dan-touring-alberta-over-the-holidays-to-help-end-hunger|title=Can Man Dan touring Alberta to help end hunger|publisher=Edmonton Sun|date=2015-12-02}}{{cite news |date=2015-12-02 |title=Can Man Dan takes the show on the road |publisher=Edmonton Examiner |url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2015/12/02/can-man-dan-takes-show-on-the-road |url-status=dead |access-date=2015-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105040004/http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2015/12/02/can-man-dan-takes-show-on-the-road |archive-date=2016-01-05}}{{cite news|url=http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2015/12/07/edmonton-man-brings-food-bank-fundraiser-to-fort-mcmurray|title=Can Man Dan comes to Fort McMurray|publisher=Fort McMurray Today|date=2015-12-07}} Johnstone's "Tour of Alberta" raised 25 tonnes of food and thousands of dollars for various food banks throughout Alberta to distribute to people in need.{{cite news|url=http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/local-news/2015/12/24/can-man-dan-visit-spurs-local-donations/|title=Can Man Dan visit spurs donations for Food Bank|publisher=Lethbridge Herald|date=2015-12-24|access-date=2015-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227061955/http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/local-news/2015/12/24/can-man-dan-visit-spurs-local-donations/|archive-date=2015-12-27|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/local-news/2015/12/20/the-can-man-can/|title=The Can Man Can|publisher=Lethbridge Herald|date=2015-12-20|access-date=2015-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227062139/http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/local-news/2015/12/20/the-can-man-can/|archive-date=2015-12-27|url-status=dead}} In May 2016, Johnstone revealed that he and his mother were former victims of domestic abuse and that he was starting a thirty-five-day campaign to raise awareness for domestic abuse victims and raise money for a local women's shelter (WIN House) in Edmonton. Johnstone's campaign consisted of completing six "extreme and wacky" stunts around Edmonton, which were intended to raise awareness and money. Johnstone's stunts included wrestling in a professional wrestling match against Ring Of Honor's Silas Young,{{cite news|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/05/30/519-528-cwe-canada-tour-kazarian-lio-rush-silas-young-danny-duggan-action-plus-elite-8-tournament-multiple-title-matches/|title=CWE Canada Tour|publisher=PW Torch|date=2016-05-30}} becoming an Edmonton Eskimos cheerleader for a day, and undergoing intense police training with Edmonton Police Services, among other things.{{cite news|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/05/16/can-man-dan-speaks-out-about-domestic-violence.html|title=Can Man Dan speaks out about domestic violence|publisher=Metro Edmonton|author=Alex Boyd|date=2016-05-16|access-date=2016-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518094144/http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/05/16/can-man-dan-speaks-out-about-domestic-violence.html|archive-date=2016-05-18|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2016/05/18/local-anit-poverty-activist-to-perform-six-stunts-in-support-of-edmontons-womens-shelter|title=Can Man Dan has six new stunts up his sleeve to raise money for local women's shelter|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|date=2016-05-18|access-date=2016-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519113735/http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2016/05/18/local-anit-poverty-activist-to-perform-six-stunts-in-support-of-edmontons-womens-shelter|archive-date=2016-05-19|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sonic1029.com/2016/06/23/watch-edmonton-eskimo-cheerleader-day-can-man-dan/|title=Edmonton Eskimos Cheerleader for a day|publisher=SONiC 102.9|date=2016-06-23}}

In December 2016, Johnstone embarked on his "Feed Alberta Tour" hoping to raise food and funds for various food banks across Alberta that were hit hard due to the ongoing recession. Johnstone travelled to the cities that were most affected by the stagnant economy and camped out in freezing cold temperatures for several days on end. Johnstone's "Feed Alberta Tour" raised more than 50 000 pounds of food and close to $20 000 in cash donations.{{cite news|url=http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/can-man-dan-camps-out-to-collect-donations-for-edmonton-s-food-bank-1.3179291|title=Can Man Dan camps out to collect donations for Edmonton's Food Bank|publisher=CTV Edmonton|date=2016-11-27}}{{cite news|url=http://www.lethbridgenewsnow.com/article/541378/can-man-dan-brave-elements-weekend|title=Can Man Dan to brave the elements this weekend|publisher=Lethbridge News Now|date=2016-12-15}}{{cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3086189/food-bank-fundraiser-can-man-dan-kicks-off-winter-campout-feed-alberta-tour/|title=Food bank fundraiser Can Man Dan kicks off winter campout "Feed Alberta Tour"|publisher=Global News|author=Karen Bartko|date=2016-11-24}}{{cite news|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/11/24/can-man-dan-kicks-off-2016-winter-tour-of-alberta.html|title=Can Man Dan kicks off 2016 winter tour of Alberta|publisher=Metro Edmonton|author=Ameya Charnalia|date=2016-11-24|access-date=2016-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228032221/http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/11/24/can-man-dan-kicks-off-2016-winter-tour-of-alberta.html|archive-date=2016-12-28|url-status=dead}} One month after its initial release in December 2016, Dan personally paid for forty low-income single parents and their children to watch Rogue One in theatres. Dan cited that Star Wars was one of his favorite movie franchises and he believed that all children should have the opportunity to watch it.{{cite news|url=http://www.sonic1029.com/2016/06/19/listen-legends-edmonton-ep/|title=Legends of Edmonton - Can Man Dan Johnstone|publisher=SONiC 102.9|date=2016-06-19}} In March 2017, Dan publicly urged Edmonton's city council to use a $38 million snow-removal surplus on renovating and restoring Edmonton's low-income housing units.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/snow-removal-savings-help-city-slide-through-year-with-surplus-1.4008180|title=Snow-removal savings help city slide through year with surplus|date=2017-03-03}}{{Failed verification|date=May 2021}} In May 2017, Can Man Dan took 55 students from a local Catholic elementary school to Edmonton's inner-city streets to pass out hundreds of care packages filled with food, personal hygiene products, and socks to the city's homeless and most vulnerable.{{cite news|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/05/11/elementary-students-hand-out-care-packages-to-homeless-.html|title=Elementary students hand out care packages to homeless|publisher=Metro Edmonton|date=2017-05-11|access-date=2017-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814221416/http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/05/11/elementary-students-hand-out-care-packages-to-homeless-.html|archive-date=2017-08-14|url-status=dead}} In November 2017, Dan announced that he was hosting the "Can Man Dan City-Wide Food Drive" to replenish Edmonton's struggling local food bank, which was seeing record high usage at the time.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3877506/can-man-dan-collecting-food-for-the-edmonton-food-bank-before-the-holidays/|title=Can Man Dan collecting food for the Edmonton food bank before the holidays|publisher=Global News Edmonton|date=2017-11-23}}{{cite news|url=http://edmontonsun.com/news/local-news/adopt-a-teen-can-man-dan-paying-kindness-forward|title=Adopt-A-Teen: Can Man Dan paying kindness forward|publisher=Edmonton Sun|author=Claire Theobald|date=2017-12-15}} Dan put out a plea to Edmonton residents and Edmonton's city council to help him "refill all of the empty shelves" at the Edmonton Food Bank and to work together to ensure that "no one goes hungry" over the holiday season.{{cite news|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1267037|title=Can Man Dan|publisher=CTV Edmonton|date=2017-11-21}}{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2017/11/21/can-man-dan-collects-fundraises-for-food-bank|title=Can Man Dan collects, fundraises for food bank|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|author=Mitch Goldenberg|date=2017-11-22|access-date=2018-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011858/http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2017/11/21/can-man-dan-collects-fundraises-for-food-bank|archive-date=2018-01-03|url-status=dead}} Dan's citywide food drive managed to raise over 110 000 pounds of food and $65 000 in 30 days.{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/can-man-dan-collects-more-than-50000-kilograms-of-food-for-edmonton-food-bank|title=Can Man Dan collects more than 50 000 kilograms of food for Edmonton food bank|publisher=Edmonton Journal|author=Claire Theobald|date=2017-12-26}}

After the death of Colten Boushie, Dan was just one of many aboriginal leaders to publicly condemn the not-guilty verdict.{{cite news|url=https://twitter.com/TheDanJohnstone/status/962165065045622784|title=Can Man Dan on Twitter: "I am aboriginal. I am 30 years old[...]|publisher=Twitter|date=2018-02-09}} In March 2018, Can Man Dan was able to raise more than $10 000 for an Edmonton-based centre for low-income, homeless, and forgotten seniors. In September 2018, Johnstone was able to equip 2 100 low-income children in the Edmonton region with school supplies, backpacks, food hampers, haircuts, and breakfast supplies before the 2018/2019 school semester started.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/4405206/were-here-for-you-day-supports-low-income-families-in-edmonton|title=We're Here For Ya Day supports low-income families in Edmonton and area.|publisher=Global News|date=2018-08-23}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4424155/edmonton-families-free-school-supplies/|title=Edmonton families line up for free school supplies, haircuts as kids return to class|publisher=Global News|author=Albert Delitala|date=2018-09-02}} In December of that year, Johnstone announced that he would be hosting the "Can Man Dan City-Wide Food and Toy Drive" in support of various Edmonton charities and declared that "no child in his city will go without a gift to open or a hot meal to eat on Christmas day".{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/can-man-dan-completing-five-frigid-campouts-to-provide-food-toys-for-families-in-need|title=Can Man Dan completing five frigid campouts to provide food, toys to families in need|publisher=Edmonton Journal|author=Dustin Cook|date=2018-12-09}} Dan's city-wide drive was a big success and managed to bring in more than 60 000 pounds of food for Edmonton's Food Bank, which was severely struggling at the time, and nearly $60 000 worth of brand new toys for Santas Anonymous, an Edmonton-based charity that provides wrapped gifts to underprivileged children every year.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/can-man-dan-edmonton-food-bank-1.4958156|title=Can Man Dan at it again, collects some 27 000 kilograms of food so far|publisher=CBC|author=CBC News|date=2018-12-24}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4768371/can-man-dan-edmonton-food-bank-december-16/|title=Can Man Dan collects thousands of pounds in donations for Edmonton Food Bank|publisher=Global News|author=Devin Horne|date=2018-12-16}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4738538/can-man-dan-630-ched-santas-anonymous/|title=Can Man Dan's latest Edmonton campout in support of 630 CHED's Santas Anonymous|publisher=Global News|author=Kerry McAthey|date=2018-12-06}}

On September 1, 2019, Johnstone equipped thousands of low-income children and their families with free school supplies and backpacks for the upcoming public school year. That same day, Johnstone also held a major press conference to unveil his brand new not-for-profit organization, the Can Man Dan Foundation.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5844187/back-to-school-families-in-need/|title=Edmonton families in need get boost before heading back to school|publisher=Global News|author=Slav Kornik|date=2019-09-01}} In October 2019, Johnstone, along with his newly created foundation, provided hundreds of Edmonton's low-income and at-risk youth with brand new Halloween costumes and accessories. Due to the decline in Alberta's economy, Can Man Dan ensured youth that they would be provided for and that they would still be able to partake in the Halloween festivities.{{cite news|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/we-re-taking-that-pressure-off-fundraiser-to-help-with-halloween-costumes-1.4647996|title='We're taking that pressure off': Fundraiser to help with Halloween costumes|publisher=CTV News Edmonton|author=Kelsey Dyer|date=2019-10-21}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/6038538/edmonton-man-raises-money-to-provide-halloween-costumes-for-less-fortunate-kids|title=Edmonton man raises money to provide Halloween costumes for less fortunate kids|publisher=Global News Edmonton|date=2019-10-16}} In November 2019, Can Man Dan announced that he would be completing four, four-day winter campouts leading up to Christmas citing that "every child deserves a hot meal on their plate and a gift to open up on Christmas Day."{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/can-man-dan-embarks-on-fourth-and-final-campout-for-edmonton-charities|title=Can Man Dan embarks on fourth and final campout for Edmonton charities|publisher=Edmonton Journal|author=Trevor Robb|date=2019-12-21}} Johnstone's series of winter campouts managed to raise 75 000 pounds of non-perishable food and frozen turkeys for Edmonton's local food bank, as well as $75 000 worth of brand-new toys for underprivileged children.{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/watch-can-man-dan-camps-out-to-support-food-bank|title=Can Man Dan camps out to support food bank|publisher=Edmonton Journal|author=Larry Wong|date=2019-11-21}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6258442/can-man-dan-630-ched-santas-anonymous-2/|title=Can Man Dan camping in the cold to collect toys for 630 CHED Santas Anonymous|publisher=Global News Edmonton|author=Karen Bartko|date=2019-12-05}}{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/can-man-dan-embarks-on-fourth-and-final-campout-for-edmonton-charities/|title=Can Man Dan embarks on fourth and final campout for Edmonton charities|publisher=Edmonton Journal|author=Trevor Robb|date=2019-12-22}}

In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Can Man Dan handed out hundreds of "COVID-19 Emergency Packages" directly to Edmonton's homeless population as a way to help curb the spread of the disease among those considered most vulnerable. Each emergency package roughly contained thirty dollars (CAD) worth of essential personal hygiene products and non-perishable food items as there were widespread shortages of both at the time.{{cite news|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/can-man-dan-hands-out-covid-19-emergency-packages-to-homeless-1.4861870|title=Can Man Dan hands out COVID-19 emergency packages to homeless|publisher=CTV News|author=Matt Marshall|date=2020-03-20}}{{cite news|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1926072|title=Can Man Dan takes on coronavirus|publisher=CTV News|date=2020-03-20}}

On August 30, 2020, Johnstone, along with the Can Man Dan Foundation, supplied two thousand low-income children living in the greater Edmonton Metropolitan Region with free backpacks filled with school supplies, food hampers, haircut vouchers, personal hygiene products, and face masks for the upcoming school season.{{cite news|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/thousands-of-kids-get-back-to-school-supplies-thanks-to-edmontonians-generosity-1.5085229|title=Thousands of kids get back-to-school supplies thanks to Edmontonians' generosity|publisher=CTV News|author=Steven Dyer|date=2020-08-30}} Can Man Dan noted that he didn't necessarily agree with the decision of the Government of Alberta to send children back to school during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but still felt the need to support impoverished children regardless of his personal opinion.{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/can-man-dan-helps-edmonton-families-get-back-to-school-with-free-backpacks-supplies|title=Can Man Dan helps Edmonton families get back to school with free backpacks, supplies|publisher=Edmonton Journal|author=Trevor Robb|date=2020-08-31}}{{cite news|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/can-man-dan-kicks-off-back-to-school-donation-drive-1.5039667|title=Can Man Dan kicks off back-to-school donation drive|publisher=CTV News Edmonton|author=Steven Dyer|date=2020-07-26}}{{cite news|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/hampers-and-haircuts-thousands-of-kids-ready-to-go-back-to-school-in-style-thanks-to-local-initiative-1.5083862|title=Hampers and haircuts: Thousands of kids ready to go back to school in style thanks to local initiative|publisher=CTV News|author=John Hanson|date=2020-08-28}} In the days leading up to Halloween in 2020, Can Man Dan outfitted two-hundred disadvantaged children in Edmonton with brand-new Halloween costumes and outfits, giving them the opportunity to partake in the annual tradition. Johnstone noted that he felt obligated to help after there was a large plea from families who were suffering financially from the dormant economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/can-man-dan-keeping-kids-spooky-this-halloween|title=Can Man Dan keeping kids spooky this Halloween|publisher=Edmonton Journal|author=Dylan Short|date=2020-10-29}}{{cite news|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/can-man-dan-gives-halloween-costume-vouchers-to-low-income-children-1.5165819|title=Can Man Dan gives Halloween costume vouchers to low-income children|publisher=CTV News|date=2020-10-29}} On November 19, 2020, Can Man Dan began his tenth annual holiday food and toy drive to support Edmonton's local food bank and other Christmas-themed charities found in the city. This was Johnstone's tenth consecutive year of camping out in freezing temperatures to raise support and donations for underprivileged families and children in need. Can Man Dan noted that "COVID cannot take Christmas"{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/can-man-dan-celebrates-10-years-with-another-camp-out-for-edmontons-food-bank|title=Can Man Dan celebrates 10 years with another camp-out for Edmonton's Food Bank|publisher=Edmonton Journal|author=Trevor Robb|date=2020-12-06}} and vowed to raise as much non-perishable food items and brand new toys as he possibly could within a five-week period.{{cite news|url=https://edmontonsun.com/opinion/columnists/tait-can-man-dan-continues-to-share-and-give|title=TAIT: Can Man Dan continues to share and give|publisher=Edmonton Sun|author=Cam Tait|date=2020-11-29}} Can Man Dan ended his annual food and toy drive by raising over 60,000 pounds of food for Edmonton's Food Bank, and $130,000 (CAD) in new toys for local non-profit organizations.{{cite news|url=https://omny.fm/shows/ched-afternoon-news/can-man-dan-is-ready-for-his-final-camp-out-of-202|title=Can Man Dan is ready for his final camp out of 2020|publisher=630 CHED|author=630 CHED Afternoons|date=2020-12-22}}

In August 2021, Can Man Dan announced that he would be leaving public life after succumbing to occupational burnout, and an array of other mental and physical health issues.{{Cite tweet|number=1422714171309887493|user=TheDanJohnstone|title=Well, cat’s out of the bag... I'm burnt out. I have been for years. It took me years to admit it and finally be honest with myself, but here we are. TRIGGER WARNING. I'm sick. I'm actually emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually spent. It's to the point where I walk around puking, crying (yes, men cry) and I can't sleep at night.|author=Can Man Dan}} In the fall of 2022, Dan returned to his philanthropy and public life by opening a new "faith and wellness" centre in Edmonton, Alberta, which also happened to coincide with the release of his debut book, "...I Think God is Real: The Extraordinary Journey of Can Man Dan".{{cite news|last=Johnstone|first=Dan|date=2022-06-27|title=...I Think God is Real: The Extraordinary Journey of Can Man Dan Paperback|id={{ASIN|1778256104|country=ca}} }} Johnstone spoke candidly with various media outlets documenting his long and private struggles with depression, alcoholism, burnout, and suicidal ideation—which he all claimed stemmed from his own personal unresolved childhood trauma. Johnstone also noted that he found faith in his time away, along with a newfound respect for therapy and psychiatry, and would now devote his career and life to helping others find the same value in these life changing services.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Matthew|date=2022-10-22|title=Can Man Dan opens mental health centre|publisher=Edmonton Journal|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/can-man-dan-returns-to-open-mental-health-centre|access-date=2022-10-22}} Can Man Dan ended off 2022 by camping out in -36 degree temperatures for four days straight to raise donations for Edmonton's local food bank, which was seeing unprecedented usage at the time. Johnstone also used this opportunity to advocate for people experiencing mental health issues during the holiday season.{{cite news|last=Ekelund|first=Brittany|date=2022-12-21|title=Cold Weather Can't Stop Can Man Dan Campout|publisher=CTV News|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/cold-weather-can-t-stop-can-man-dan-campout-1.6204583|access-date=2022-12-21}}{{cite news|last=Hunt|first=Ryan|date=2022-12-21|title="Can Man Dan's Can't Stop the Good Christmas Campout" looking to support Edmonton's Food Bank|publisher=CFWE FM|url=https://www.cfweradio.ca/news/alberta-news/can-man-dans-cant-stop-the-good-christmas-campout-looking-to-support-edmontons-food-bank/|access-date=2022-12-21}}

In April 2025, Dan expressed his frustration with the City of Edmonton's lack of action to help alleviate homelessness and extreme poverty, calling for systemic change and political accountability.{{cite news|last=Knopp|first=Elliott|date=2025-04-01|title=Edmonton activist frustrated with city’s plan to tackle homelessness|publisher=CityNews|url=https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/04/01/edmonton-activist-frustrated-with-citys-plan-to-tackle-homelessness}}

In June 2013, Dan Johnstone announced that he would be running in the 2013 Edmonton municipal election. Johnstone declared that he would be running for the open seat in Edmonton's Ward 10 which was vacated by Mayoral hopeful, Don Iveson.{{cite news|last=Robb|first=Trevor|date=2013-06-26|title=Dan Johnstone, a.k.a. Can Man Dan, seeks vacant Ward 10 seat|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2013/06/26/dan-johnstone-aka-can-man-dan-seeks-vacant-ward-10-seat|access-date=2013-09-05}} Johnstone, declaring himself as fiscally responsible and socially progressive, was the youngest candidate running for any position in the 2013 Edmonton election, being only 25 years old when he announced his candidacy. Johnstone's platform was largely based on the repair of basic infrastructure, spending responsibly, focusing on the revitalization of mature neighbourhoods, investing in the building of low income housing, as well as building a stronger public transit system while lowering fares.{{cite news|date=2013-08-25|title=Election 2013 response: "Can Man Dan" Dan Johnstone|publisher=The Local Good|url=http://www.thelocalgood.ca/election-2013-questionnaire-response-dan-johnstone-ward-10/}}{{cite news|date=2013-09-05|title=Dan Johnstone Ward 10 candidate|publisher=CTV Edmonton|url=http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/2.2237/ward-ten/dan-johnstone-ward-ten-candidate}}{{cite news|date=2013-09-28|title=Dan Johnstone - Ward 10|publisher=Eliminate Poverty Edmonton|url=http://www.eliminatepovertyinedmonton.ca/election-2013/ward-10-dan-johnstone.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813012959/http://www.eliminatepovertyinedmonton.ca/election-2013/ward-10-dan-johnstone.html|archive-date=2016-08-13}} Johnstone also pledged to self-fund his entire campaign and donate $10 000 for each year of his terms' salary to various charities and causes around Edmonton citing that, "politicians make entirely too much money."{{cite news|date=2016-06-18|title=Running for political office with Dan Johnstone|publisher=Her Success|url=http://www.hersuccess.ca/running-political-office-dan-johnstone/|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827190450/http://www.hersuccess.ca/running-political-office-dan-johnstone/|archive-date=2016-08-27}} He was ultimately defeated by former Alberta Party candidate, Michael Walters.{{cite news|date=2013-10-21|title=2013 Official Election Results|url=http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal_elections/elections-2013-results.aspx|access-date=2013-10-21}}

On December 27, 2015, Johnstone announced his candidacy for the Ward 12 by-election race in Edmonton's south-side district to replace Amarjeet Sohi who was elected to Justin Trudeau's Liberal government in October 2015.{{cite news|date=2016-01-06|title="Can Man Dan" runs for Ward 12|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2016/01/06/can-man-dan-runs-for-ward-12|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-01-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313221927/http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2016/01/06/can-man-dan-runs-for-ward-12|archive-date=2016-03-13}}{{cite news|date=2016-01-04|title=Edmonton's Ward 12 set to have crowded field for byelection|publisher=Metro Edmonton|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/01/05/edmonton-ward-12-set-to-have-24-candidates-in-race-.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-01-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109112017/http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/01/05/edmonton-ward-12-set-to-have-24-candidates-in-race-.html|archive-date=2016-01-09}} Johnstone, once again labelling himself as a fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidate, concentrated on restructuring Edmonton's photo radar system and redirecting a majority of the revenue to Edmonton's Police services, ushering in a more economical public transit system, postponing the building of the Valley Line LRT route, and mandating that a certain percentage of newly developed land must contain low-income and other forms of social housing.{{cite news|date=2016-02-08|title=Ward 12 candidates weigh in on the Valley Line LRT|publisher=Metro Edmonton|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/02/09/edmonton-ward-12-candidates-weigh-in-on-the-valley-line-.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311070354/http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/02/09/edmonton-ward-12-candidates-weigh-in-on-the-valley-line-.html|archive-date=2016-03-11}}{{cite news|date=2016-02-19|title=Ward 12 candidates turning against Valley Line LRT|publisher=Edmonton Journal|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/david-staples-edmonton-byelection-candidates-turning-against-lrt}}{{cite news|date=2016-02-19|title=Where do Ward 12 candidates stand on key issues|publisher=Edmonton Journal|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/david-staples-where-do-edmonton-ward-12-candidates-stand-on-key-issues}}{{cite news|date=2016-01-26|title=Meet the 32 candidates of the Ward 12 by-election|publisher=Edmonton Journal|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/who-are-edmontons-ward-12-candidates}} Johnstone was also openly critical of the record-breaking thirty-two candidates citing that it would confuse casual voters and result in a low voter turnout.{{cite news|date=2016-01-24|title=Ward 12 by-election log-jam getting worse|publisher=Edmonton Sun|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2016/01/24/edmontons-ward-12-byelection-log-jam-getting-worse}}{{cite news|date=2016-01-25|title="Can Man Dan" Dan Johnstone talks by-election|publisher=Youtube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or580IB6C4k}} Johnstone was defeated by local police detective, Moe Banga.{{cite news|date=2016-02-22|title=Moe Banga wins historic Ward 12 by-election|publisher=CBC|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/moe-banga-wins-historic-ward-12-byelection-1.3459508}}

In May 2018, Johnstone announced that he was seeking the Alberta Party nomination to be their official candidate in the upcoming 2019 Alberta general election. Johnstone was looking to represent the Alberta Party in the province's Edmonton-South district, but left near the end of June 2018, citing lack of "leadership, direction, and organization;" he also noted that while he respected former Edmonton mayor, Stephen Mandel, he was still unpersuaded and preferred the leadership of former Alberta Party leader, Greg Clark.{{cite news|author=Catherine Griwkowsky|date=2018-05-14|title=Anti-poverty activist Can Man Dan running as Alberta Party candidate in Edmonton|publisher=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2018/05/14/anti-poverty-activist-can-man-dan-running-as-alberta-party-candidate-in-edmonton.html}}{{cite news|author=Dan Johnstone|date=2018-06-27|title=Let me be your champion! Official Campaign Announcement & Resignation|publisher=Dan Johnstone's official website|url=http://danjohnstone.com/2018/05/14/let-me-be-your-champion-official-nomination-campaign-announcement/}}

On January 22, 2021, Dan announced his candidacy for the newly created Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi in the 2021 Edmonton municipal election.{{cite news|author=Dan Johnstone|date=2021-01-22|title=Why I'm Running - Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi|publisher=Dan Johnstone|url=https://www.danjohnstone.com/news/post/why-im-running}} He withdrew his candidacy in August 2021, citing a need to focus on his mental health.{{Cite tweet|number=1422594109257232384|user=TheDanJohnstone|title=After careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I am withdrawing from the municipal election and my candidacy to represent the people of Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi on to focus on my mental health.|author=Can Man Dan}}

In June 2015, "WO Magazine" listed Johnstone as one of their "Top 5 Anti-Poverty Activists".{{cite news|date=2015-06-10|title=Top 5 Anti-Poverty Activists|publisher=WO? Magazine|url=http://www.wo-magazine.com/politics/2015/6/8/top-five-anti-poverty-activists|url-status=dead|access-date=2015-06-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710205302/http://www.wo-magazine.com/politics/2015/6/8/top-five-anti-poverty-activists|archive-date=2015-07-10}} Johnstone was voted by readers as Edmonton's "Best Activist" in Vue Weekly's "Best of Edmonton 2017" series, and was voted Edmonton's "Best Philanthropist" in the 2018 edition.{{cite news|date=2017-09-20|title=Best of Edmonton 2017 results|work=Vue Weekly|publisher=|url=http://www.vueweekly.com/best-of-edmonton-2017-results/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129074314/http://www.vueweekly.com/best-of-edmonton-2017-results/|archive-date=2018-01-29}}{{cite news|date=2018-09-20|title=Best of Edmonton 2018|publisher=Vue Weekly|url=http://www.vueweekly.com/best-of-edmonton-2018/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907152531/http://www.vueweekly.com/best-of-edmonton-2018/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 7, 2018}} In November 2018, Avenue Magazine awarded Dan with their "Top 40 Under 40" award for "[donating] his time to give back to the community.{{cite news|date=2018-11-01|title=Top 40 Under 40|publisher=Avenue Magazine|url=https://www.avenueedmonton.com/City-Life/Top-40-Under-40/2018/Dan-Johnstone/}}

Dan is an avid professional wrestling fan, a self-declared cinephile, and board game enthusiast.{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2013/05/08/20-questions-can-man-dan|title=20 Questions|publisher=Edmonton Examiner|date=2013-05-13}} Dan has noted on several occasions that his favourite television show is Game of Thrones, and that he is also a fan of reality television, and one day hopes to compete on Survivor, Big Brother Canada, and The Amazing Race Canada. Dan considers himself to be a political independent, but believes that all levels of government should take a more centrist approach when governing, as he believes that divisive and polarizing politics are harmful to a society and the community.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.canmandan.org Can Man Dan Foundation official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Can Man Dan}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Canadian politicians

Category:21st-century First Nations people

Category:Alberta municipal politicians

Category:Canadian homelessness activists

Category:Canadian philanthropists

Category:First Nations activists

Category:First Nations politicians

Category:Politicians from Edmonton

Category:MacEwan University alumni