A. Edison Stairs

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A. Edison Stairs
Born December 22, 1924 (1924-12-22) (age 83)
Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada Flag of Canada
Residence Woodstock, New Brunswick
Education University of New Brunswick
Occupation Businessman, Politician
Political party Progressive Conservative
Religious beliefs Protestant
Spouse Lois Evelyn True
Children Allen E. Jr.
Peter James
Parents Earl R. Stairs &
Ethel M. Corey

Allen Edison Stairs (born December 22, 1924 in Meductic, New Brunswick) is a Canadian businessman and politician. Known by Edison, after graduating high school he attended the University of New Brunswick but interrupted his education during World War II to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served until after V-E Day in 1945 and following his discharge from the military settled in Woodstock, New Brunswick where he established an insurance business.

From a family active in community affairs, his great-uncle Ernest W. Stairs had been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1935 to 1939. Edison Stairs was elected as the Progressive Conservative Party member for Carleton in 1960, 1963, and 1967, sitting as a member of the Official Opposition. Reelected in 1970, his party formed the government led by Premier Richard Hadfield, and Stairs was immediately named to the Cabinet. He held several positions until 1976 when, as Minister of Finance and Chairman of NB Power, he resigned from Cabinet to be with his terminally ill wife. Stairs remained a member of the Legislature until 1978 but retired from politics upon the passing of his wife.

His cousin, Gerald Stairs Merrithew, was elected both provincially (1972-1984) and federally (1984-1993).


Provincial Government of Richard Hatfield
Cabinet Posts (4)
Predecessor Office Successor
Jean-Maurice Simard Minister of Finance
(1974-1976)
Lawrence Garvie
Wilfred G. Bishop Minister of Natural Resources & Energy
(1972-1974)
Roland Boudreau
H. H. Williamson Minister of Economic Growth
(1970-1972)
Paul S. Creaghan
J. Adrien Levesque Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
(1970-1972)
J. Stewart Brooks


Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Preceded by
Harrison Monteith
MLA for Carleton County
1960-1978
Succeeded by
Steven Porter


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