Jack Shields
John Wendele Shields (25 December 1929 – 29 November 2004) was a Progressive Conservative member of the House of Commons of Canada. He was a soldier, businessman, and teacher by career.
Jack Shields | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Athabasca | |
| In office 2 February 1980 – 24 October 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Yewchuk |
| Succeeded by | David Chatters |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Wendele Shields 25 December 1929 Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | 29 November 2004 (aged 74) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch/service | Canadian Army |
| Years of service | 1947–1957 |
| Rank | Warrant officer |
| Unit | Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Born in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Shields served with the Canadian Army in Korea. He left the military in 1958 to complete high school and went on to earn a degree in education from the University of Alberta.
During his time as a Member of Parliament (MP), he represented the northeast Alberta riding of Athabasca. He was elected in the 1980, 1984, and 1988 federal elections. He served in the 32nd, 33rd and 34th Canadian Parliaments.
In 1991, Shields incurred controversy for allegedly shouting "Shut up, Sambo" to New Democratic Party MP Howard McCurdy, the only black member of Parliament serving at the time. Shields denied ever making the comments.
Shields left federal politics after his defeat in the 1993 federal election to David Chatters of the Reform Party; he lost over half of his vote from 1988.
He died aged 74 of heart failure following bladder surgery.