History of Stockwell Day in Timeline

Stockwell Day is a former Canadian politician notable for leading the Canadian Alliance from 2000 to 2001. He later became a member of the Conservative Party of Canada, holding various cabinet positions under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, including Minister of Public Safety, Minister of International Trade, and President of the Treasury Board. Throughout his political career, Day was known for his socially conservative views and his advocacy for fiscal conservatism. He retired from politics in 2011.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 16, 1950: Stockwell Day Born

On August 16, 1950, Stockwell Burt Day Jr. was born. He later became a Canadian politician.

Others born on this day/year

1972: Day's Father Runs in Election

In the 1972 federal election, Stockwell Day's father ran as the Social Credit candidate against New Democratic Party leader Tommy Douglas in the riding of Nanaimo—Cowichan—The Islands.

1978: Day Becomes Assistant Pastor

In 1978, Stockwell Day became the assistant pastor and school administrator at the Bentley Christian Centre in Bentley, Alberta.

1985: Day Ends Role as Assistant Pastor

In 1985, Stockwell Day ended his role as assistant pastor and school administrator at the Bentley Christian Centre in Bentley, Alberta.

1986: Day Elected to Legislative Assembly of Alberta

In 1986, Stockwell Day was elected to represent Red Deer North in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as a Progressive Conservative (PC).

December 1992: Day Appointed Alberta Minister of Labour

In December 1992, Stockwell Day was appointed as Alberta's Minister of Labour under Premier Ralph Klein, overseeing controversial changes including civil service layoffs.

October 1994: Day's Responsibilities Expanded

In October 1994, Stockwell Day added Government House Leader to his responsibilities as a cabinet minister in Alberta.

May 1996: Day Becomes Minister of Social Services

In May 1996, Stockwell Day was appointed as the Minister of Social Services in Alberta.

March 1997: Day Appointed Alberta Treasurer

In March 1997, Stockwell Day became the Treasurer of Alberta.

April 1999: Day Criticizes Lawyer Lorne Goddard

In April 1999, Stockwell Day criticized Lorne Goddard, a lawyer, for defending a man accused of possessing child pornography, leading to a libel suit and subsequent settlement paid by the Alberta government.

1999: Day Instituted Flat Tax Rate

In 1999, as Treasurer, Stockwell Day oversaw the continued paying down of Alberta's debt while he cut taxes, instituting a flat tax rate.

July 8, 2000: Day Wins Canadian Alliance Leadership

On July 8, 2000, Stockwell Day won the leadership of the newly formed Canadian Alliance, defeating former Reform Party leader Preston Manning.

September 11, 2000: Day Wins By-Election in Okanagan—Coquihalla

On September 11, 2000, Stockwell Day won the by-election in the riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla, British Columbia, and he arrived at his first news conference on a Jet Ski wearing a wetsuit.

November 27, 2000: Chrétien Calls Snap Election

Jean Chrétien called a snap election for November 27, 2000, which would not give the newly formed Canadian Alliance time to consolidate itself.

December 22, 2000: Defamation Suit Settled in Goddard's Favour

On December 22, 2000, a defamation suit filed by Lorne Goddard against Stockwell Day was settled in Goddard's favour.

2000: CBC Documentary on Day's Religious Beliefs

During 2000, the CBC ran an extended documentary purporting to review Day's religious beliefs, leading to a complaint from Day.

2000: Alleged payment to Jim Hart for byelection

In 2000, Jim Hart allegedly accepted a payment to step aside in favour of Day before the byelection.

2000: Day Leaves Legislative Assembly of Alberta

In 2000, Stockwell Day ended his service representing Red Deer North in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as a Progressive Conservative (PC).

2001: Day Agrees to Leadership Re-Contest

In 2001, Stockwell Day agreed to step aside and re-contest the leadership of his party.

March 2002: Day Defeated by Stephen Harper

In the March 2002 Alliance leadership election, Stockwell Day was defeated by Stephen Harper on the first ballot.

March 2003: Day Co-Writes Letter on Iraq Invasion

In March 2003, Stockwell Day and Stephen Harper co-wrote a letter to The Wall Street Journal condemning the Canadian government's unwillingness to participate in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

December 2003: Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative Party Merge

In December 2003, the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party merged to become the Conservative Party of Canada. Day remained the party's foreign affairs critic.

November 2004: Day Provokes Controversy After Arafat's Death

In November 2004, Stockwell Day provoked controversy by not offering condolences to Palestinians after the death of PLO leader Yasser Arafat.

2004: Day Re-elected to Parliament

In 2004, Stockwell Day was re-elected to Parliament.

February 6, 2006: Day Promoted to Minister of Public Safety

On February 6, 2006, Stockwell Day was promoted to the Minister of Public Safety in the Conservative government and was sworn into the Privy Council.

2006: Day Re-elected to Parliament

In 2006, Stockwell Day was re-elected to Parliament.

March 2007: Allegations of Payment to Jim Hart Surface

In March 2007, the federal Liberals accused former Alliance MP Jim Hart of having accepted a payment to step aside in favour of Day before the 2000 byelection.

March 23, 2008: Day Signs Canada-Israel 'Declaration of Intent'

On March 23, 2008, Stockwell Day, as Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, signed the Canada-Israel 'Declaration of Intent' on 'public safety' and security cooperation between the two countries in Tel-Aviv.

May 2008: Day Attends International Security Forum in Jerusalem

In May 2008, Stockwell Day attended and participated in the 1st International Security Forum of Ministers of Interior and Homeland Security in Jerusalem.

May 2008: Day Responds to Ambassador's Warning

In May 2008, after Israeli Ambassador Alan Baker warned that Canada's Muslim population would influence its policies, Stockwell Day responded by saying that Canada was proud of its multicultural composition.

October 30, 2008: Day Appointed Minister of International Trade

On October 30, 2008, Stockwell Day was sworn in as Minister of International Trade in the Conservative Government and was also appointed the Minister for the Asia–Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.

2008: Day Re-elected to Parliament

In 2008, Stockwell Day was re-elected to Parliament.

2009: Data for unreported crimes not released

In 2009, data pertaining to unreported crimes had not yet been released which called into question Day's comments on unreported crimes in August 2010.

January 19, 2010: Day Appointed President of the Treasury Board

On January 19, 2010, Stockwell Day was appointed president of the Treasury Board by Stephen Harper.

August 2010: Day's Comments on Unreported Crimes Spark Controversy

In August 2010, Stockwell Day caused controversy by stating the government was "very concerned ... about the increase in the amount of unreported crimes that surveys clearly show are happening".

March 12, 2011: Day Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

On March 12, 2011, Stockwell Day announced that he would not be seeking re-election in the 2011 federal election.

March 2011: Day Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

In March 2011, Stockwell Day announced that he would not seek re-election in the next federal elections.

June 14, 2011: Day Appointed Distinguished Fellow

On June 14, 2011, Stockwell Day was appointed as a Distinguished Fellow by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

2011: Day Does Not Seek Re-election

In 2011, Stockwell Day did not seek re-election in the federal election. He had previously served as an MP and held several cabinet portfolios under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

2016: Day ends role as Distinguished Fellow

In 2016, Stockwell Day ended his role as a Distinguished Fellow with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

June 2020: Resignation from Telus and McMillan LLP

In June 2020, Stockwell Day resigned from his positions on the board of directors of Telus Communications and as a senior strategic advisor to McMillan LLP. This followed comments he made on CBC News Network's Power & Politics amidst the George Floyd protests, which led to strong social media reactions and threats of a boycott against Telus. Day's comments included deploring George Floyd's murder but stating that systemic racism did not exist in Canada.

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April 2021: King's College Receives Loan

In April 2021, King's College accepted a $2 million loan from Peter Chung, the owner of Primacorp Ventures. It was noted that Day was appointed to the College's executive as part of the deal.

October 2021: Interim President of King's College

In October 2021, Stockwell Day became the interim president of King's College in New York City.

April 2023: Quest University ceased operations

In April 2023 Quest University in British Columbia ceased operations; it was a failed investment of Peter Chung, for whom Stockwell Day previously worked as a consultant.