Bernie Collins, who served as a mayor, a member of Parliament and in other capacities in the community, has died at the age of 82.
Collins was the mayor of Estevan from 1985 to 1988, and the Member of Parliament for Souris-Moose Mountain from 1993 to 1997.
He also had several terms as a councillor in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. His final term as councillor ended in 2003.
Mayor Roy Ludwig made the announcement at Monday night’s meeting of Estevan city council.
“I’ve had the pleasure of serving with him,” said Ludwig, who is the only current member of council remaining from Collins tenure. “He did a great job.”
Ludwig has stated in the past that Collins was the one who motivated Ludwig to run for councillor back in 1994.
“Bernie had a good sense of humour,” said Ludwig. “It was a joy working with him.”
Other members of council also passed on their condolences to Collins family during Monday night’s meeting.
Collins worked as an educator, including a principal, in Estevan for many years, and was also part of many boards and committees in Estevan, ranging from sports to culture to healthcare.
He was the last Liberal to serve as the member of Parliament in Souris-Moose Mountain. Among the most notable aspects of his tenure came when he voted against the Canadian firearms registry, citing his constituents’ opposition to the bill.
Among the nine Liberal MPs who voted against the registry, he was the only one defeated in the 1997 federal election.
Last year the City of Estevan renamed Woodlawn Avenue South as Collins Road in his honour.
