John Dahmer

John Roderick Dahmer (September 5, 1937 – November 26, 1988) was elected a member of the House of Commons of Canada in 1988. His background was in education. A school teacher, guidance councillor, principal, and later involved in adult education, correctional education and vocational training as a director at Lakeland College.

John Roderick Dahmer
MP for Beaver River
In office November 21 – November 26, 1988
Preceded by	new district
Succeeded by	Deborah Grey
Personal details
Born	September 5, 1937 Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Died	November 26, 1988(1988-11-26) (aged 51)
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Residence	Elk Point, Alberta, Canada
Occupation	Educator

He was elected in the 1988 federal election at the Beaver River electoral district for the Progressive Conservative party; however, he was terminally stricken with pancreatic cancer and never saw the first day of the 34th Canadian Parliament.[1][2]

Dahmer had entered Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital on October 28, 1988, after suffering symptoms similar to adult onset type two diabetes, but the extent of his condition was not widely known until after election night.[2] However, by the time cancer was discovered it was after the deadline to withdraw from the general election, and at that point it was not certain the cancer could not be successfully treated with chemotherapy.

Dahmer died five days after the election, before the Deputy Clerk of the House of Commons could arrive to conduct a swearing-in ceremony.[3] Despite this, parliamentary policy allowed Dahmer's widow to receive a $29,150 severance, which was equivalent to six months salary in office.[4] This money was used to establish the John Dahmer Community Involvement Scholarship at Lakeland College.

As of 2016, he continues to hold the record for the shortest term as a federal Member of Parliament in Canadian history.

By-election

Dahmer's widow, Donna Lynne (née Coulter), ran unsuccessfully for the Progressive Conservative nomination in the resulting by-election, losing to Dave Broda.

Broda lost the by-election to Deborah Grey, the first Reform Party candidate ever elected to the House of Commons. Grey had also been the Reform candidate in the 1988 election, but finished in fourth place.

Electoral record

1988 Canadian federal election: Beaver River
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Progressive Conservative	John Dahmer	13,768	40.40
	Liberal	Ernie Sehn	6,528	19.16
	New Democratic	Brian Luther	6,492	19.05
	Reform	Deborah Grey	4,158	12.20
	Confederation of Regions	Les Johnston	131	3.84
Total valid votes			34,077	100.00
	Progressive Conservative notional hold

References

1. Schut, Jessie (November–December 1995). "Profile: Deborah Grey". Living Light News. Retrieved 2006-12-15.
2. Canadian Press (November 24, 1988). "New MP victim of cancer". Ottawa Citizen. p. A4.
3. Robert Marleau, Camille Montpetit (2000). "The House of Commons and Its Members". House of Commons Procedure and Practice. pp. Section 4. Retrieved 2006-12-15.
4. Canadian Press (January 19, 1989). "Five-day MP's death leaves family $29,150". The Gazette. p. B1.

External links

• John Dahmer – Parliament of Canada biography