Bill Gillis
|
The Honourable Bill Gillis |
|
|---|---|
| MLA for Antigonish | |
|
In office 1970–1998 |
|
| Preceded by | William F. MacKinnon |
| Succeeded by | Hyland Fraser |
| Minister of Finance | |
|
In office June 27, 1996 – April 8, 1998 |
|
| Preceded by | Bernie Boudreau |
| Succeeded by | Don Downe |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 31, 1936 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | August 15, 2009 (aged 72) Antigonish, Nova Scotia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Occupation | Geologist |
John William Gillis (October 31, 1936 – August 15, 2009), generally known as Bill Gillis, was a Canadian politician who served in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1970 to 1998. He represented the electoral district of Antigonish for the Liberals.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, his family moved to Antigonish when he was six weeks old. Gillis was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, and held a doctorate in geology from Pennsylvania State University. Gillis was employed as a geologist with the Canadian Department of Energy, Mines and Resources from 1962 to 1967. He taught geology at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia from 1967 to 1970. Gillis died on August 15, 2009, as a result of brain cancer.
Gillis first attempted to enter provincial politics in the 1967 election, but lost to Progressive Conservative William F. MacKinnon by 26 votes. He ran again in the 1970 election and defeated Progressive Conservative William Shaw by 408 votes to win the Antigonish riding. On October 28, 1970, he was appointed by Premier Gerald Regan to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, and Minister of Municipal Affairs. He was named Minister of Welfare in September 1972, and was shuffled to Minister of Education in August 1973. Gillis was re-elected in the 1974 election, and remained as Minister of Education until February 1976 when he became Minister of Mines.
Gillis was re-elected in the 1978 election, but the Liberals were defeated and he moved to the opposition benches for the next 15 years. During his years in opposition, Gillis was re-elected in the 1981,1984, and 1988 elections.
...
Wikipedia