John Thomas Wolfe
Encyclopedia
John Thomas Wolfe (May 2, 1955 - February 2, 1995) was a community veterinarian
before becoming a Canadian
provincial politician
. He was the Progressive Conservative
member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
for the constituency of Assiniboia-Gravelbourg
, from 1988 until 1991.
on May 2, 1955, and was raised on the Wolfe family ranch
within the Killdeer, Saskatchewan district west of Rockglen. He attended school at Killdeer before completing high school in Rockglen. He studied biology
at the University of Saskatchewan
and in 1979 he graduated with distinction from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
for one year before returning to his home in Rockglen, Saskatchewan, where he ran the Borderland Veterinary Clinic with his wife, Dr. Gail Snyder, whom he had married on January 26, 1980. Wolfe also worked as a veterinarian for the thoroughbred and standardbred racetracks in Regina and Saskatoon during the racing seasons for several years. He was extensively involved in community economic development projects and was chairman of the first Rural Development Corporation in the province.
, when Goodale retired from provincial politics to run in the 1988 federal election
. He served a single term, and was defeated by Lewis Draper
of the NDP in the 1991 general election
.
During Wolfe's term as an MLA
in the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
he held several titles, including:
He was also involved with the Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation and the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation
from March 16, 1990 to November 1, 1991.
gunshot wound. The father of three—and soon to be four—back in his veterinary practice, was anguished at the prospect of being forced to testify against his old friends and ex-colleagues. When told in 1995 that he also potentially faced arrest (charges were never pressed), he shot himself. A former party worker says Jack was an innocent killed by a corrupt system. Jack's wife Gail says her husband's dream of public service was shattered.
He was cremated and buried at the Killdeer community cemetery, which happens to sit upon the site of the original Wolfe family homestead, from his grandfather's immigration
, and also directly beside the former farmyard in which he spent his early years.
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
before becoming a Canadian
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...
provincial politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was the Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan is a right-of-centre political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Prior to 1942, it was known as the Conservative Party of Saskatchewan. Members are commonly known as Tories....
member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
The 25th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan was in power from 2003 until November 20, 2007. It was controlled by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party under premier Lorne Calvert.-Members:-By-elections:...
for the constituency of Assiniboia-Gravelbourg
Assiniboia-Gravelbourg
Assiniboia-Gravelbourg was a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Canada. This constituency was created from the ridings of Gravelbourg and Assiniboia-Bengough before the 1975 Saskatchewan general election...
, from 1988 until 1991.
Early life
Wolfe was born in Rockglen, SaskatchewanRockglen, Saskatchewan
Rockglen, Saskatchewan, Canada, is a community in the Burning Hills of the Wood Mountain Uplands, providing a school, community hall, public library and five parks, as well a local service industry. The municipal office of Rural Municipality #12 Old Post lies within the boundaries of Rockglen, and...
on May 2, 1955, and was raised on the Wolfe family ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
within the Killdeer, Saskatchewan district west of Rockglen. He attended school at Killdeer before completing high school in Rockglen. He studied biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
at the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
and in 1979 he graduated with distinction from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
Professional career
Wolfe practiced as a veterinarian in AlbertaAlberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
for one year before returning to his home in Rockglen, Saskatchewan, where he ran the Borderland Veterinary Clinic with his wife, Dr. Gail Snyder, whom he had married on January 26, 1980. Wolfe also worked as a veterinarian for the thoroughbred and standardbred racetracks in Regina and Saskatoon during the racing seasons for several years. He was extensively involved in community economic development projects and was chairman of the first Rural Development Corporation in the province.
Political career
Wolfe was elected in a by-election called to replace Liberal party leader and future federal Finance Minister Ralph GoodaleRalph Goodale
Ralph Edward Goodale, PC, MP was Canada's Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006 and continues to be a Liberal Member of Parliament...
, when Goodale retired from provincial politics to run in the 1988 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1988
The Canadian federal election of 1988 was held November 21, 1988, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 34th Parliament of Canada. It was an election largely fought on a single issue: the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement ....
. He served a single term, and was defeated by Lewis Draper
Lewis Draper
Lewis Draper is a family physician, who was a Canadian provincial politician. He was the NDP member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the constituency of Assiniboia-Gravelbourg, from 1991 until 1995. He defeated PC incumbent John Thomas Wolfe in the 1991 general election, and...
of the NDP in the 1991 general election
Saskatchewan general election, 1991
The Saskatchewan general election of 1991 was the twenty-second provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on October 21, 1991, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
.
During Wolfe's term as an MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
in the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
The Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan is a right-of-centre political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Prior to 1942, it was known as the Conservative Party of Saskatchewan. Members are commonly known as Tories....
he held several titles, including:
- Associate Minister of Health - Oct 3, 1988 to Nov 27, 1990
- Minister of Urban Affairs - Nov 27, 1990 to Jan 1, 1991
- Minister of Community Services - Jan 1, 1991 to Nov 1, 1991
He was also involved with the Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation and the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation
Saskatchewan Housing Corporation
Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Saskatchewan, founded in 1978, to fund social housing, provide grants and other insentices for low income and rental housing development within the province. In 2010 SHC supported 23,500 social and affordable...
from March 16, 1990 to November 1, 1991.
Death
Wolfe died in the early hours of February 2, 1995 due to a self-inflictedSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
gunshot wound. The father of three—and soon to be four—back in his veterinary practice, was anguished at the prospect of being forced to testify against his old friends and ex-colleagues. When told in 1995 that he also potentially faced arrest (charges were never pressed), he shot himself. A former party worker says Jack was an innocent killed by a corrupt system. Jack's wife Gail says her husband's dream of public service was shattered.
He was cremated and buried at the Killdeer community cemetery, which happens to sit upon the site of the original Wolfe family homestead, from his grandfather's immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, and also directly beside the former farmyard in which he spent his early years.