Dalton Camp

Camp, Dalton Kingsley

Dalton Kingsley Camp, writer, politician (b at Woodstock, NB 11 Sept 1920; d at Fredericton, NB 18 March 2002). Educated at UNB, Columbia U and London School of Economics, Camp was first engaged in student politics as a Liberal. Disillusioned, he switched to the Conservatives and helped organize Robert Stanfield's election as premier of NS in 1956. Camp was the PC Party's national president from 1964 to 1969; in that capacity he helped to organize the removal of John Diefenbaker as the party's leader. The process that he initiated to force a review of Diefenbaker's leadership democratized the party and was soon adopted by all national parties. Camp's success in intraparty politics was not matched by personal success in general elections; he failed to get Stanfield elected prime minister and was defeated himself in 1965 and 1968. Thereafter, he advised PC leaders during campaigns, including that of 1984.

Camp continued to have a philosophical and policy influence, pushing the Tories to remain moderate. In 1986 he returned to public life and controversy as a consultant to the Mulroney government. Camp achieved prominence in advertising and as an author and columnist; his books include his graceful and informative memoirs, Gentlemen, Players and Politicians (1970). At age 72 Camp made medical history when he became the oldest Canadian to undergo a successful heart transplant. Camp was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1994.