Clarence Copithorne

Clarence Copithorne (November 12, 1920 – June 4, 1979) was a provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1967 to 1975 sitting as an Independent and later with the Progressive Conservative caucus in both opposition and government. During his time in office he served as a cabinet minister in the government of Peter Lougheed from 1971 to 1975.

Clarence Copithorne
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
In office 1967–1975
Preceded by	Frank Gainer
Succeeded by	Frederick Kidd
Constituency	Banff-Cochrane
Minister of Highways and Transport
In office September 10, 1971 – March 1975
Preceded by	Gordon Taylor
Succeeded by	Hugh Horner
Personal details
Born	(1920-11-12)November 12, 1920 Cochrane, Alberta[1]
Died	June 4, 1979(1979-06-04) (aged 58) Cochrane, Alberta[2]
Political party	Progressive Conservative

Political career

Copithorne ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1967 Alberta general election. He ran in the electoral district of Banff-Cochrane as an independent candidate and won defeating two other candidates in a hotly contested race, including future MLA Roy Wilson.[3]

On April 15, 1970 Copithorne joined the Progressive Conservative caucus giving up his independent status. He ran for re-election in the 1971 Alberta general election as a Progressive Conservative candidate. He increased his popular vote and held the district defeating two other candidates.[4] His win would help the Progressive Conservatives form government that year.

After the election Premier Peter Lougheed rewarded Copithorne by appointing him to the Executive Council of Alberta to serve as the Minister of Highways and Transport.

Copithorne helped develop a plan to create Kananaskis Country in his district.[5]

He retired from the Alberta Legislature and his cabinet position at dissolution in 1975.

References

1. Normandin, P.G.; Normandin, A.L. (1974). Guide parlementaire canadien. P.G. Normandin. ISSN 0315-6168. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
3. "Banff-Cochrane results 1967". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
4. "Banff-Cochrane results 1971". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
5. "Dedication commemorates ongoing legacy of Kananaskis Country". Government of Alberta. September 22, 2008. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2009.

External links

• Legislative Assembly of Alberta Members Listing