Table of Contents
Douglas Mason Fisher
b. Sept. 19,1919, Sioux Lookout, ON; d. Sept. 18, 2009, Kanata, ON
Education:
1949 BA (Victoria College, University of Toronto)
1950 BLS (University of Toronto, School of Library Science)
Positions:
1941-1945 Canadian Army, 12th Manitoba Dragoons, World War II
1950-1957 Teacher/Librarian at the Port Arthur Collegiate Institute (later Thunder Bay) where he also set up a forestry research library
1957-1963 CCF Member of Parliament
1963-1965 Deputy Leader, NDP
1961-1971 Freelance Journalist, Toronto Telegram
1971-2006 Ottawa Columnist, Toronto Sun
1974-1977 Founding Director of Hockey Canada
Publications:
Wise, Sydney F. and Douglas Fisher (1974). Canada`s sporting heroes. Don Mills: General Pub. Co.
Honours:
2001 Distinguished Service Award, Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians
Accomplishments:
He was known as the dragon slayer. “In 1957, he defeated liberal powerhouse and ‘Minister of everything’ C.D. Howe in the Port Arthur riding that Mr. Howe had held for more than two decades.” He was described as a “House of Commons man” who befriended and supported MP’s from all parties. “He resigned his seat to focus on his career as a political commentator, writing a nationally- syndicated column three times a week for 44 years … and hosting a weekly political television show for more than 25 years at CJOH in Ottawa. He retired as the Dean of the parliamentary press gallery in 2006. Beyond politics and journalism, Doug made little known but large contributions to public policy in sport and recreation, forestry, libraries, educational television, government and parliamentary reform and veterans affairs. He co-authored “Canada’s Sporting Heroes” with his late friend SF Wise. As founding director of Hockey Canada, Doug brokered the deal for the 1972 CanadaRussia hockey series and then the Canada Cup, opening a new era in international hockey. He also helped establish the first national coaching programmes for sport Canada.”
“Mr. Fisher was so widely read, so knowledgeable about parliamentary procedure and so bitingly articulate that his column in The Sun was a must read until he finally signed off, at age 86, July 30, 2006.“
Sources:
Obituary, Globe and Mail, Sept. 19, 2009
"Douglas Fisher (politician)". Wikipedia. Accessed Feb. 5, 2016.
Douglas Fisher – Parliament of Canada Biography
Martin, Sandra. Douglas Fisher, 1919-2009. The Globe and Mail September 18, 2009. Accessed Feb. 5, 2016.