John Oliver (British Columbia politician)

John Oliver (July 31, 1856 – August 17, 1927) was a British-Canadian politician and farmer, who served as the 19th premier of British Columbia. As a prominent figure in the province’s early political landscape, Oliver served in various capacities, including as leader of the Opposition and minister of Agriculture, and contributed significantly to the development of British Columbia’s agricultural and railway sectors.

John Oliver
19th Premier of British Columbia
In office March 6, 1918 – August 17, 1927
Monarch	George V
Lieutenant Governor	Francis Stillman Barnard Edward Gawler Prior Walter Cameron Nichol Robert Randolph Bruce
Preceded by	Harlan Carey Brewster
Succeeded by	John Duncan MacLean
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Westminster-Delta
In office June 9, 1900 – October 3, 1903
Preceded by	William Thomas Forster
Succeeded by	district abolished
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Delta
In office October 3, 1903 – November 25, 1909
Preceded by	first member
Succeeded by	Francis James Anderson MacKenzie
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Dewdney
In office September 14, 1916 – December 1, 1920
Preceded by	William J. Manson
Succeeded by	John Alexander Catherwood
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Victoria City
In office December 1, 1920 – June 20, 1924 Serving with Joseph Clearihue, John Hart, Joshua Hinchcliffe
Preceded by	George Bell Harlan Carey Brewster Henry Charles Hall John Hart
Succeeded by	Reginald Hayward
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Nelson
In office August 23, 1924 – August 17, 1927
Preceded by	Kenneth Campbell
Succeeded by	James Albert McDonald
Personal details
Born	(1856-07-31)July 31, 1856 Hartington, England
Died	August 17, 1927(1927-08-17) (aged 71) Victoria, British Columbia
Political party	BC Liberal
Spouse	Elizabeth Woodward ​ (m. 1886)​
Children	5 sons and 3 daughters

A member of the former British Columbia Liberal Party, Oliver was first elected to the provincial legislature in the 1900 provincial election. After serving as the leader of the Opposition, he lost his seat in 1909 but returned the legislature in the 1916 election. That year, he was appointed minister of Agriculture and minister of Railways in premier Harlan Carey Brewster's cabinet. Following Brewster's death in 1918, Oliver succeeded him as premier.

In addition to his role as premier, Oliver held the portfolios of minister of Agriculture (1918), minister of Railways (1918–1922), and minister of industry (1919–1922). Under his leadership, his administration prioritized agricultural development, notably in the Okanagan Valley, which became a hub for the province's produce industry. Oliver's government also advocated for reduced rail freight rates to improve the economic viability of British Columbia’s agricultural exports.

A notable moment in Oliver's tenure was the 1923 visit of U.S. president Warren G. Harding to Vancouver, marking the first visit of a sitting U.S. president to Canada.

Oliver served as premier until his death in 1927. His legacy endures through numerous places named in his honor, including John Oliver Secondary School in Vancouver, John Oliver Park in Delta, Mount John Oliver in the Cariboo Mountains' Premier Range, the town of Oliver, British Columbia, and Oliver Street in Williams Lake, British Columbia.

Electoral history

1900 British Columbia general election: Westminster-Delta
Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Government	John Oliver	324	45.51
	Conservative	John Walter Berry	215	30.20
	Progressive	Thomas William Forster	173	24.30
Total valid votes			712	100.00

10th British Columbia election, 1903

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±	Expenditures
	Conservative	William Henry Ladner	309	40.87%		unknown
	Liberal	John Oliver	447	59.13%		unknown
Total valid votes			756	100.00%
Total rejected ballots
Turnout			%

11th British Columbia election, 1907

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±	Expenditures
	Conservative	Francis James Anderson MacKenzie	261	37.77%		unknown
	Liberal	John Oliver	430	62.23%		unknown
Total valid votes			691	100.00%
Total rejected ballots
Turnout			%

12th British Columbia election, 1909

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±	Expenditures
	Conservative	Francis James Anderson MacKenzie	765	58.13%		unknown
	Liberal	John Oliver	551	41.87%		unknown
Total valid votes			1,316	100.00%
Total rejected ballots
Turnout			%
1 Results of recount as reported in New Westminster Columbian 29 November 1909, p. 1

13th British Columbia election, 1912

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±	Expenditures
	Conservative	Francis James Anderson MacKenzie	748	70.83%		unknown
	Liberal	John Oliver	308	29.17%		unknown
Total valid votes			1,056	100.00%
Total rejected ballots
Turnout			%

1920 British Columbia general election: Delta
Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Liberal	John Oliver	1,334	37.50
	Soldier–Farmer	Richmond Archie Payne	1,107	31.12
	Conservative	Francis James Anderson MacKenzie	964	21.55
Total valid votes			3,557	100.00

References

• "John Oliver". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2016.