David Oliver (Canadian politician)

David Oliver and Nanc Rick at the Supreme Court of Canada

David Oliver was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. In 2005, he was nominated as the candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada for the riding of Abbotsford in the 2006 federal election. He is also known for his defamation lawsuit against the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Oliver was born August 30, 1956 in Regina, Saskatchewan, where his grandparents were wheat farmers. As a teacher, he has designed curriculum and taught grades 1-12 in a federal prison, on reserve in a First Nations community, and in public schools; he has also started and successfully operated several businesses; he has managed wholesale and retail operations, and he has been a journeyman painter with many years of experience both working for others and contracting on his own. Oliver is a member of the Shriners, who fundraise for and operate 22 hospitals for sick and needy children in North America. Politically, he was riding president of Fraser Valley Federal Liberal Association prior to redistribution, president of Abbotsford FLA, member of South Fraser Federal Liberal Action Group (FLAG), and member of the Liberal Party of Canada BC Policy Committee.

On January 13, 2006, he was dropped as the Liberal candidate after the NDP candidate Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson alleged that Oliver had offered him a job in exchange for his support against Conservative candidate Ed Fast in the election. Hansen-Carlson filed a formal complaint with Elections Canada. His complaint was later dismissed by the agency, several months after the election. Oliver's name still appeared on the ballot for the January 23 election, and had he won, he would have sat as an independent. He lost, however, to Ed Fast.

Oliver initiated a defamation lawsuit against Hansen-Carlson and the NDP.[1] Although the lawsuit was still pending, Hansen-Carlson apologized to Oliver and stated that he now believes his earlier interpretation of events was mistaken.[2] The NDP apologized for posting Hansen-Carlson's notarized statement of complaint on the party website.[2] On Thursday, December 7, 2007, NDP House leader Libby Davies issued a formal apology to Oliver in the House of Commons on behalf of her party.[3]

Oliver has taught in corrections in 2001, and again from 2008 to 2013. He specializes in Native Adult Education. In 2012 he was Corrections Rep and Regional Rep for the Adult Basic Education Association of British Columbia, ABEABC. He is currently Maths Teacher at Seabird Island College in Agassiz, BC.

Notes

  1. ↑ The vindication of David Oliver, National Post, July 10, 2006
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 NDP issues apologies concerning Oliver and Kahlon
  3. ↑ NDP apologizes twice in 24 hours for smearing B.C. opponents

References