Dick Collver
|
Dick Collver MLA |
|
|---|---|
| Leader of the Opposition | |
|
In office 1978–1979 |
|
| Preceded by | Ted Malone |
| Succeeded by | Eric Berntson |
| MLA for Nipawin | |
|
In office 1975–1982 |
|
| Preceded by | John Comer |
| Succeeded by | Lloyd Sauder |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 13, 1936 Toronto, Ontario |
| Died | August 7, 2014 (aged 78) Thailand |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative, Unionest Party |
| Profession | Accountant |
Richard Lee "Dick" Collver (February 13, 1936 – August 7, 2014) led the Saskatchewan Progressive Conservative (PC) Party from 1973 to 1978.
He earned an arts degree in economics from the University of Alberta, and articled as an accountant for Price Waterhouse in Calgary before moving to Saskatchewan in 1965. He was defeated in a run for the Saskatoon mayoralty, but attracted the attention of the then-moribund Saskatchewan PC Party, and gained its leadership in 1973. The party under Collver began its road to revitalization, and won seven seats with over 28% of the vote in the 1975 election, including Collver's seat in Nipawin. It became the official opposition after winning two by-elections and convincing two Liberal Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), including Colin Thatcher, to defect to the PCs.
Though Collver's PCs won 38% of the vote and 17 MLAs in the 1978 election, Collver was disappointed with the result, feeling convinced he was going to win the election. He was facing lawsuits over his business endeavours, and became the target of attacks by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party during the election. Collver stepped down as PC leader in 1979.
He was charged with illegal possession and improper use of a firearm after he discharged a .357 Magnum gun from the window of his Regina apartment on the night of his resignation. He was still involved in a $1 million lawsuit with the Saskatchewan government at the time.
He formed the Unionest Party in 1980, which advocated the joining of Saskatchewan and other western Canadian provinces to the United States. The party soon folded, and Collver retired to a ranch he purchased in Wickenburg, Arizona.
...
Wikipedia