Date: 2003
Location: Edmonton
Profile: Ivor Dent served as mayor of Edmonton from 1968 to 1974, after serving on city council from 1963 to 1968. While city politics were non-partisan, Dent was a lifelong member of first the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and then the New Democratic Party (NDP). His ALHI interview focuses mainly on his involvement with the NDP, including his unsuccessful efforts as a provincial and federal candidate for the party.
Born and raised in Prince Albert, Dent served as a bombardier in the Royal Canadian Air Force for three years during World War II. He went on to earn four university degrees during his career: a BA from the University of Saskatchewan, a BEd and MA from the University of Alberta, and a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Oregon. He taught for a year in Enchant, Alberta before becoming an Edmonton teacher for many years and, after his term as mayor, principal of Rundle Elementary School. He rates his main achievements as mayor as persuading the Social Credit provincial government to develop Millwoods as an area of affordable housing, and winning the Commonwealth Games for Edmonton in 1978. Afterwards he remained active in community leagues and veterans’ organizations.
Keywords: Bombardier, Royal Canadian Air Force; Commonwealth Games; Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF); Educational administration; Mayor, Edmonton; Millwoods; Rundle Elementary School; University of Alberta; University of Oregon; University of Saskatchewan
Transcript: Download PDF
See also: Alberta Teachers’ Association