Stephen Carlyle "Steve" West[1] (born May 21, 1943) is a Canadian businessman, and a former veterinary doctor, teacher, farmer and former provincial level politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1986 to 2001. He served numerous portfolios in the cabinet for the Alberta government during his political career.
Stephen C. West was born in London, Ontario on May 21, 1943.
He went to post secondary school at the Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Institute, and earned his doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College. After college West moved to Vermilion and founded the West Veterinary Clinic. He operated his clinic for fifteen years and became a farmer in the area. In addition to his practice he also taught Animal Science Technology at Lakeland College.[2]
Political career
West was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in the 1986 Alberta general election. He easily won a two race over New Democrat candidate Mervin Stephenson in the electoral district of Vermilion-Viking.[3] He was re-elected to his second term in the 1989 Alberta general election winning a three-way race with a slightly reduced plurality over the last election.[4]
West was appointed to his first cabinet portfolio under the government of Don Getty. He served as Minister of Recreation and Parks from April 1989 to February 1992. He became Solicitor General in a cabinet shuffle and held that post until Ralph Klein became Premier in December 1992. Under the Ralph Klein government, West was appointed as Minister of Municipal Affairs. He held that post until December 1994.[2]
Vermilion-Viking was abolished due to redistribution in 1993, West ran for his third term in the new electoral district of Vermilion-Lloydminster. The race was a rerun of the 1989 Vermilion-Viking election as both the challenging candidates for the New Democrats and Liberals faced West for the second time. The race was hotly contested as Liberal candidate Greg Michaud quadrupled his popular vote. Despite the strong showing by the Liberal candidate West won the new district by increasing his popular vote.[5]
West was moved to the Transportation and Utilities portfolio in December 1994, he served that post until May 1996, when he was appointed Minister of Economics Development and Tourism.[2] West was re-elected to his fourth and final term as MLA in the 1997 Alberta general election. He won the electoral district in a landslide with his largest percentage and plurality of his political career.[6] After the election he was appointed Minister of Energy on March 26, 1997. The last post he served in cabinet was as Minister of Finance.
West who served in numerous Cabinet positions through his career as a MLA was known for his efforts to privatize a number of government areas including liquor stores and vehicle registries. During this time West would earn the nickname "Dr. No" for his role in reducing government expenditures and payroll.[7]
In 2004 West would be hired as Premier Ralph Klein's Chief of Staff and abruptly let go seven months later following the 2004 Alberta general election. West's dismissal less than a year into his three-year contract and $180,000 severance package would become a controversy in the Alberta legislature later that year.[7]
^ abc"Honorable Steven West". Lloydminster and District Centennial Commemorative Association Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
^"Vermilion-Viking results 1986 general election". Alberta Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
^"Vermilion-Viking results 1989 general election". Alberta Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
^"Vermilion-Lloydminster results 1993 general election". Alberta Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
^"Vermilion-Lloydminster results 1997 general election". Alberta Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
^ ab"Klein's former chief of staff defends $180,000 payout". CBC News. February 17, 2005. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
External links
January 31, 2023
steve, west, canadian, politician, stephen, carlyle, steve, west, born, 1943, canadian, businessman, former, veterinary, doctor, teacher, farmer, former, provincial, level, politician, served, member, legislative, assembly, alberta, from, 1986, 2001, served, n. Stephen Carlyle Steve West 1 born May 21 1943 is a Canadian businessman and a former veterinary doctor teacher farmer and former provincial level politician He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1986 to 2001 He served numerous portfolios in the cabinet for the Alberta government during his political career Steve WestMember of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Vermilion LloydminsterVermilion Viking 1986 1993 In office May 8 1986 March 12 2001Preceded byTom LysonsSucceeded byLloyd SnelgrovePersonal detailsBorn 1943 05 21 May 21 1943 age 79 London OntarioPolitical partyProgressive Conservative Association of AlbertaOccupationbusinessman doctor farmer teacher Contents 1 Early life 2 Political career 3 References 4 External linksEarly life EditStephen C West was born in London Ontario on May 21 1943 He went to post secondary school at the Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate Institute and earned his doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College After college West moved to Vermilion and founded the West Veterinary Clinic He operated his clinic for fifteen years and became a farmer in the area In addition to his practice he also taught Animal Science Technology at Lakeland College 2 Political career EditWest was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in the 1986 Alberta general election He easily won a two race over New Democrat candidate Mervin Stephenson in the electoral district of Vermilion Viking 3 He was re elected to his second term in the 1989 Alberta general election winning a three way race with a slightly reduced plurality over the last election 4 West was appointed to his first cabinet portfolio under the government of Don Getty He served as Minister of Recreation and Parks from April 1989 to February 1992 He became Solicitor General in a cabinet shuffle and held that post until Ralph Klein became Premier in December 1992 Under the Ralph Klein government West was appointed as Minister of Municipal Affairs He held that post until December 1994 2 Vermilion Viking was abolished due to redistribution in 1993 West ran for his third term in the new electoral district of Vermilion Lloydminster The race was a rerun of the 1989 Vermilion Viking election as both the challenging candidates for the New Democrats and Liberals faced West for the second time The race was hotly contested as Liberal candidate Greg Michaud quadrupled his popular vote Despite the strong showing by the Liberal candidate West won the new district by increasing his popular vote 5 West was moved to the Transportation and Utilities portfolio in December 1994 he served that post until May 1996 when he was appointed Minister of Economics Development and Tourism 2 West was re elected to his fourth and final term as MLA in the 1997 Alberta general election He won the electoral district in a landslide with his largest percentage and plurality of his political career 6 After the election he was appointed Minister of Energy on March 26 1997 The last post he served in cabinet was as Minister of Finance West who served in numerous Cabinet positions through his career as a MLA was known for his efforts to privatize a number of government areas including liquor stores and vehicle registries During this time West would earn the nickname Dr No for his role in reducing government expenditures and payroll 7 In 2004 West would be hired as Premier Ralph Klein s Chief of Staff and abruptly let go seven months later following the 2004 Alberta general election West s dismissal less than a year into his three year contract and 180 000 severance package would become a controversy in the Alberta legislature later that year 7 References Edit The Canadian Parliamentary Guide 1999 ISBN 9780787635602 a b c Honorable Steven West Lloydminster and District Centennial Commemorative Association Inc Retrieved 2008 04 14 Vermilion Viking results 1986 general election Alberta Heritage Foundation Retrieved 2008 04 14 Vermilion Viking results 1989 general election Alberta Heritage Foundation Retrieved 2008 04 14 Vermilion Lloydminster results 1993 general election Alberta Heritage Foundation Retrieved 2008 04 14 Vermilion Lloydminster results 1997 general election Alberta Heritage Foundation Retrieved 2008 04 14 a b Klein s former chief of staff defends 180 000 payout CBC News February 17 2005 Retrieved 12 June 2020 External links EditLegislative Assembly of Alberta Members Listing Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Steve West Canadian politician amp oldid 1134712395, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
