Donald H. Oliver | |
|---|---|
| Senator forSouth Shore,Nova Scotia | |
| In office September 7, 1990 – November 16, 2013 | |
| Appointed by | Brian Mulroney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1938-11-16)November 16, 1938 Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Died | September 17, 2025(2025-09-17) (aged 86) Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Party | Conservative |
| Children | One daughter |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Donald H. OliverCM ONS KC (November 16, 1938 – September 17, 2025) was a Canadian lawyer, developer and politician. Appointed by former Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney, Oliver served in theSenate of Canada from 1990 until 2013. He was the first black male to sit in the Senate and the second black Canadian appointed to the chamber.[1]
A lawyer and real estate developer, Oliver was a member ofNova Scotia's black minority. He was descended in part from African-American slave refugees who were resettled by the British in Canada from the United States after theWar of 1812.[2] But his maternal grandfather,William A. White, migrated independently in 1900 fromBaltimore, Maryland. Oliver was the nephew of Canadianopera singerPortia White, politicianBill White andlabour union activistJack White, and the cousin of political strategist Sheila White.
Oliver was born to Helena Isabella (White) and Clifford Harlock Oliver inWolfville, Nova Scotia. He has four siblings. His maternal grandfather,William A. White, migrated independently in 1900 fromBaltimore, Maryland, and became a Baptist minister. His maternal grandmother Izie Dora White (her maiden name) was born in Nova Scotia, descended from black refugees who went to Canada from the United States during theWar of 1812.
Oliver attended local schools before his undergraduate studies atAcadia University, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy in 1960, and law school atDalhousie University. He was called to the Bar in 1965.[3]
Oliver practised law inHalifax, Nova Scotia as a partner in the firm Stewart McKelvey Stirling Scales from 1965 to 1990, and subsequently at two other law firms for a total of 36 years, primarily in civil litigation. He taught atDalhousie University Law School as a part-time professor for 14 years, and also taught law courses atTechnical University of Nova Scotia andSaint Mary's University. He was aKing's Counsel.[3]
A long-time activist in theProgressive Conservative Party, Oliver served as the party's director of legal affairs through six federal elections, from 1972 to 1988. He also served as a federal vice-president of the party and as a director of its fundraising wing, the PC Canada Fund.
Oliver also served for years as Constitution Chairman and member of the Finance Committee for theProgressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia, and was a Vice-President of that Party.
Oliver was appointed to the Senate at the recommendation ofPrime MinisterBrian Mulroney, September 7, 1990. He served as a member of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, and as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committees on Transport and Communications and Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. Senator Oliver was also Co-chair of the Special Joint Committee on a Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians. He has worked on a number of Private Members’ Bills, including a bill to amend sections of the criminal code dealing with stalking and, more recently, a bill to address the issue ofspam.
Oliver was namedSpeaker pro tempore of theSenate of Canada, March 4, 2010. Oliver retired from the Senate November 16, 2013, when he attained age 75.
Oliver was active in community service: "serving in positions that have included President and Chairman of the Halifax Children's Aid Society; Chairman, President and Director of the Neptune Theatre Foundation; Director of the Halifax-Dartmouth Welfare Council; Founding Director of the Black United Front; and Founding President and First Chairman of the Society for the Protection and Preservation of Black Culture in Nova Scotia."[3]
Oliver was married and had one daughter. When not inOttawa, Oliver resided on his farm inQueens County, Nova Scotia. He was an honorary patron withCrossroads International. In 1962, he was a Crossroads volunteer toEthiopia. Oliver said this experience changed him forever.[4]
Oliver died in Halifax on September 17, 2025, at the age of 86.[5][6]
On December 28, 2019, Governor GeneralJulie Payette announced that Oliver had been appointed a member of the Order of Canada.[7][8] Oliver was appointed to theOrder of Nova Scotia in 2020.[9]
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