A. Edison Stairs
Encyclopedia
Allen Edison Stairs was a Canadian
businessman and politician. Known by Edison, after graduating high school he attended the University of New Brunswick
but interrupted his education during World War II
to join the Royal Canadian Air Force
. He served until after V-E Day
in 1945 and following his discharge from the military settled in Woodstock, New Brunswick
where he established an insurance
business.
From a family active in community affairs, his great-uncle Ernest W. Stairs
had been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1935 to 1939. Edison Stairs was elected as the Progressive Conservative Party
member for Carleton in 1960
, 1963
, and 1967
, sitting as a member of the Official Opposition
. Reelected in 1970
, his party formed the government led by Premier Richard Hatfield, and Stairs was immediately named to the Cabinet
. He held several positions until 1976 when, as Minister of Finance
and Chairman of NB Power
, he resigned from Cabinet to be with his terminally ill wife. Stairs remained a member of the Legislature until 1978 but retired from politics upon the passing of his wife.
His cousin, Gerald Stairs Merrithew, was elected both provincially (1972–1984) and federally
(1984–1993).
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman and politician. Known by Edison, after graduating high school he attended the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
but interrupted his education during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to join the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. He served until after V-E Day
Victory in Europe Day
Victory in Europe Day commemorates 8 May 1945 , the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. The formal surrender of the occupying German forces in the Channel Islands was not...
in 1945 and following his discharge from the military settled in Woodstock, New Brunswick
Woodstock, New Brunswick
Woodstock is a Canadian town in Carleton County, New Brunswick located on the west bank of the Saint John River at the mouth of the Meduxnekeag River, 92 km west of Fredericton and close to the Canada – United States border and Houlton, Maine.- History :Woodstock was settled by Loyalists...
where he established an insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
business.
From a family active in community affairs, his great-uncle Ernest W. Stairs
Ernest W. Stairs
Ernest Whitfield Stairs was a Canadian farmer and politician. He was born in Southampton, New Brunswick, a descendant of United Empire Loyalists who settled the area in 1784. A successful farmer, Stairs was involved in a variety of public and social activities...
had been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
from 1935 to 1939. Edison Stairs was elected as the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick is a centre-right political party in New Brunswick, Canada. It has its origins in the pre-Canadian confederation Conservative Party that opposed the granting of responsible government to the colony...
member for Carleton in 1960
New Brunswick general election, 1960
The 24th New Brunswick general election was held on June 27, 1960, to elect 52 members to the 44th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada. New Brunswick general election, 1960 Name Seats...
, 1963
New Brunswick general election, 1963
The 25th New Brunswick general election was held on April 22, 1963, to elect 52 members to the 45th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
, and 1967
New Brunswick general election, 1967
The 26th New Brunswick general election was held on October 23, 1967, to elect 58 members to the 46th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
, sitting as a member of the Official Opposition
Opposition (parliamentary)
Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. Note that this article uses the term government as it is used in Parliamentary systems, i.e. meaning the administration or the cabinet rather than the state...
. Reelected in 1970
New Brunswick general election, 1970
The 27th New Brunswick general election was held on November 18, 1974, to elect 58 members to the 47th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada...
, his party formed the government led by Premier Richard Hatfield, and Stairs was immediately named to the Cabinet
Executive Council of New Brunswick
The Executive Council of New Brunswick is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
. He held several positions until 1976 when, as Minister of Finance
Department of Finance (New Brunswick)
The Department of Finance is a part of the Government of New Brunswick. It is charged with New Brunswick's budgetary and tax policy and headed by the finance minister....
and Chairman of NB Power
NB Power
NB Power , formerly known as New Brunswick Power Corporation and New Brunswick Electric Power Commission is the primary and former monopoly electrical utility in the Canadian province of New Brunswick...
, he resigned from Cabinet to be with his terminally ill wife. Stairs remained a member of the Legislature until 1978 but retired from politics upon the passing of his wife.
His cousin, Gerald Stairs Merrithew, was elected both provincially (1972–1984) and federally
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
(1984–1993).