Day, Stockwell (1950-…), was a member of Canada’s House of Commons from 2000 to 2011. He also held ministerial positions in the cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Day represented the Okanagan-Coquihalla riding (district) of British Columbia as a Conservative.
Day was born on Aug. 16, 1950, in Barrie, Ontario. He attended the University of Victoria and Northwest Bible College in Edmonton. His work experience before entering politics was varied. It included work on construction sites and as an auctioneer and an assistant pastor and administrator of a Christian school.
Day was elected to the Alberta Legislative Assembly in 1986 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party. He served in a number of posts in the provincial government, including government house leader from 1993 to 1997 and provincial treasurer from 1997 to 2000.
In July 2000, Day was elected to head the newly formed Canadian Alliance, formally known as the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance. In September, he was elected to the federal House of Commons. He then became the leader of the opposition in the House. He remained in that position following elections in November. In 2001, several members of the Canadian Alliance in the House strongly criticized Day’s leadership and called for his resignation as party leader. As a result, Day stepped down as party leader at the end of 2001. In March 2002, he ran for reelection as party leader but lost to Harper. Day retired from the House in 2011. He then started Stockwell Day Connex, a private government-relations firm.
