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Dave Hancock
Dave Hancock
Dave Hancock
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David Graeme Hancock ECA KC (born August 10, 1955) is a Canadian lawyer and was the 15th premier of Alberta from March to September 2014. Since 2017, he has served as a judge of the Provincial Court of Alberta.[2] From 1997 to 2014, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing Edmonton-Whitemud as a Progressive Conservative[3] until announcing his resignation from the legislature on September 12, 2014.[4]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Hancock was born August 10, 1955, in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories,[5] grew up in Hazelton, British Columbia, went to high school in Fort Vermilion, Alberta before moving to Edmonton in 1972. He went to the University of Alberta for his undergraduate degree in Political Science and graduated in 1975,[6] He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at University of Alberta.[7]

Political career

[edit]

Premier of Alberta

[edit]

Following the announcement of Alison Redford's resignation as both leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and premier, he was named interim party leader by the Progressive Conservative caucus on March 20, 2014, and, with such confidence from the majority of the legislature, was appointed as Premier of Alberta.[8] Hancock was sworn in at Government House on March 23, 2014.

Hancock was succeeded as Premier and PC party leader by Jim Prentice on September 15, 2014. He also retired from the legislature on the same day. He is the shortest serving premier in the province's history. Hancock's official portrait as Premier was unveiled on February 13, 2017. Hancock joked at the ceremony saying that his premiership was "the best summer job that I’ve ever had", and that he expected his portrait to be "one the size of a postage stamp" based on the short length of his administration. Other politicians in attendance paid tribute to Hancock's long hours in the legislature to pass legislation, and his lengthy tenure in government holding eight cabinet portfolios.[9]

Personal life

[edit]

Hancock lives in Edmonton with his wife Janet, who was the principal at Lillian Osborne High School in Edmonton until 2018.[10][11] He has three children.[3]

Electoral record

[edit]
2004 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Whitemud
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Dave Hancock 7,494 46.13% −12.15
Liberal Donna Smith 6,568 40.43% +5.40
New Democratic Brian Fleck 1,639 10.09% +3.75
Alberta Alliance Kathy Rayner 471 2.90%
Independent John Andrews 74 0.45%
Total 16,246
Rejected, spoiled, and declined 89
Eligible electors / turnout 30,949 52.77%
Progressive Conservative hold Swing −8.78
"Edmonton-Whitemud Statement of Official Results 2004 Alberta general election" (PDF). Elections Alberta. Retrieved March 19, 2010.

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Dave Hancock

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from Grokipedia

David Graeme Hancock KC (born August 10, 1955) is a Canadian and former who served as the 15th from March 23 to September 15, 2014, in an interim capacity following the resignation of . A member of the Progressive Conservative Party, Hancock represented the Edmonton-Whitemud electoral district in the for five terms from 1997 to 2015. Born in , , to a fur trader father as the youngest of seven children, Hancock earned a in 1976 and a in 1979 from the before practicing as a . During his lengthy political tenure under premiers , , and , he held numerous senior cabinet positions, including Minister of Education, Justice and Attorney General, Advanced Education and Enterprise, and , establishing himself as a party loyalist and the longest-serving cabinet minister at the time of his premiership. Hancock's brief premiership focused on stabilizing the Progressive Conservative government amid internal scandals, including an apology to party members for the party's "lost way" during the Redford era, before he resigned to allow new leader to assume office. Since retiring from politics, he was appointed a of the Provincial of (now the Alberta Court of Justice) in the Family and Youth Division in December 2017, and in May 2025, elevated to Assistant in that division.

Early Life and Education

Upbringing and Family Background

Hancock was born in , , the youngest of seven children to a father employed as one of the Hudson's Bay Company's last fur traders. His family's circumstances necessitated frequent relocations to remote northern communities tied to the company's operations, fostering an upbringing marked by mobility and exposure to isolated environments. Early childhood included residences in , and , , where his father managed stores in small, often Indigenous-adjacent settlements. These locations, characterized by limited and self-reliant communities, shaped Hancock's formative years before the family transitioned southward. Hancock completed high school in , a rural town, prior to relocating to for further pursuits. This progression from frontier outposts to urban reflected broader patterns of economic migration in the region during the mid-20th century.

Formal Education and Early Influences

Hancock completed his secondary education at La Crete Public High School in the northern Alberta community of La Crete, following earlier attendance at elementary school in Hazelton, British Columbia. He pursued postsecondary studies at the , earning a degree with majors in , , and in 1976. Hancock later obtained his (LLB) from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 1979, becoming a member of the Bar the following year. During his undergraduate years, he was affiliated with the fraternity. Early influences on Hancock included his high school social studies and history teacher, Mr. Friesen at La Crete Public High School, whom Hancock later credited as his favorite educator for instilling a habit of critical thinking about societal issues and the broader world. His rural upbringing in remote northern communities, shaped by his father's career as a Hudson's Bay Company fur trader, further fostered a grounded perspective on public service and community needs, though Hancock has emphasized personal initiative over direct familial political modeling in his formative years.

Pre-Political Professional Career

Hancock earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 1979. Following graduation, he articled and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta, becoming a member of the bar on an unspecified date in 1980. This completed his formal legal training, qualifying him to practice as a barrister and solicitor in Alberta. His legal education built on an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, economics, and history from the same institution, providing a foundation in public policy and governance relevant to his subsequent career.

Practice as a Lawyer

Hancock was called to the Alberta Bar in 1980 following his graduation with an LLB from the in 1979. He joined the Edmonton-based firm Matheson & Company upon entering practice, eventually rising to partner. His legal practice encompassed criminal, civil, family, and over approximately 18 years prior to his entry into in 1997. As a partner at the firm, Hancock focused exclusively on criminal defence work, with a substantial portion involving representation of young offenders. He also served on the board of Community Legal Services during this period, contributing to access-to-justice initiatives for low-income clients.

Political Career

Entry into Provincial Politics

Hancock's interest in politics developed during his late teens, influenced by the 1971 provincial campaign of Progressive Conservative leader , whom he actively supported. After establishing a legal career in , he sought the Progressive Conservative nomination for the Edmonton-Whitemud riding ahead of the 1993 general , motivated by a desire to contribute to policy on education, health, and community issues. He secured the nomination but lost to incumbent Liberal MLA Mike Percy by a margin of approximately 1,200 votes in the March 15, 1993, , amid a broader Liberal surge under leader Decore that reduced the Progressive Conservatives to 51 seats. Following the 1993 defeat, Hancock continued his professional work while remaining active in party circles, rebuilding local support in Edmonton-Whitemud, a traditionally competitive urban riding. He again won the Progressive Conservative nomination for the 1997 and defeated on March 11, 1997, securing 52.4% of the vote (8,678 votes) to Percy's 36.2% (5,989 votes), helping the Progressive Conservatives under Premier win a landslide majority with 63 seats. This victory marked Hancock's entry into the Legislative Assembly as the (MLA) for Edmonton-Whitemud, a seat he held through four subsequent re-elections until 2012. Immediately after the election, Premier Klein appointed Hancock to cabinet as Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs on May 26, 1997, launching his legislative career focused on fiscal restraint and interprovincial relations.

Legislative and Cabinet Roles

Dave Hancock represented the as a Progressive Conservative (MLA) from March 11, 1997, until his resignation on September 29, 2014, securing re-election in the provincial general elections of 2001, 2004, 2008, and 2012. Throughout his legislative tenure, Hancock emerged as a senior cabinet minister, holding positions across eight portfolios under Premiers Ralph Klein, Ed Stelmach, and Alison Redford. Under Klein, he served as Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Minister of Advanced Education. During Stelmach's premiership, Hancock was appointed Minister of Education and Minister of Health and Wellness. He also acted as Government House Leader during this period, managing the legislative agenda for the government caucus. In the Redford government, Hancock continued in senior roles, including Minister of from May 8, 2012, Minister of Advanced Education for a second stint, and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education, alongside his appointment as Deputy in December 2013. He retained the Government House Leader position, facilitating coordination between the executive and legislative branches. Hancock additionally chaired or vice-chaired the Legislation Review Committee, contributing to legislative oversight and policy refinement.

Interim Premiership

Following Alberta Premier Alison Redford's resignation on March 19, 2014, amid controversies over her personal travel expenses and , the Progressive Conservative caucus unanimously selected Deputy Premier Dave Hancock as interim and premier-designate on March 20, 2014. Hancock, a veteran cabinet minister since 1993, was chosen for his experience and low-profile stability to guide the government through the transition. Hancock was sworn in as Alberta's 15th premier on March 23, 2014, at in , marking the beginning of his brief tenure focused on restoring public trust and preparing for a . In addition to the premiership, he retained portfolios including Minister of Human Services and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education, emphasizing continuity in and economic diversification amid falling oil prices. During his approximately six-month term, Hancock prioritized fiscal restraint and accountability measures, including directing the Minister of Justice to request an RCMP investigation into Redford's unauthorized flights on government aircraft. He oversaw the scheduling of the Progressive Conservative leadership election for September 6, 2014, which was won by , who succeeded him as premier on September 15, 2014. Hancock resigned his legislative seat on September 12, 2014, to facilitate the orderly transition, concluding his role as the province's shortest-serving premier.

Electoral History

Hancock was first elected to the as the Progressive Conservative candidate in a for the -Whitemud electoral district on November 27, 1993, following the of the incumbent. He retained the seat in every subsequent provincial until his from the legislature on September 29, 2014. Throughout his tenure, the district remained competitive, particularly against Liberal challengers, reflecting its status as a swing riding in urban . His electoral record is summarized in the following table:
YearElection TypePartyVotes ReceivedOutcome
1993Progressive ConservativeNot specified in available recordsElected
2004GeneralProgressive Conservative7,494 (46.13%)Elected (narrow margin over Liberal Donna L. Smith with 6,568 votes)
2008GeneralProgressive Conservative12,054Elected
2012GeneralProgressive ConservativeMajority (specific tally not detailed; defeated Wildrose, Liberal, NDP, and challengers)Elected
Hancock did not contest the 2015 general election, and the ensuing by-election in October 2014 was won by Progressive Conservative .

Judicial Career

Appointment to the Provincial Court

David Hancock was appointed to the Provincial Court of on December 5, 2017, as one of three new judges selected to address caseload pressures in the province's lower trial court. The appointment, made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under the NDP government of Premier , assigned Hancock to the Family and Youth Division, where he would preside over matters involving child welfare, youth criminal justice, and family disputes. At age 62, Hancock brought over two decades of legal and political experience to the bench, having practiced as a specializing in municipal and before entering provincial politics in 1997. His selection followed a merit-based process through Alberta's Judicial , emphasizing qualifications such as judicial , legal expertise, and involvement, though specific details of his vetting were not publicly detailed beyond standard announcements. The other appointees included Marian De Souza and Robert Shaigec, reflecting a mix of legal practitioners aimed at bolstering the court's capacity amid rising family docket volumes. This transition marked Hancock's shift from elected office—where he had served as interim in 2014 and held multiple cabinet portfolios under Progressive Conservative governments—to the , a move praised by legal observers for leveraging his extensive public service record without noted partisan controversy at the time of appointment.

Key Judicial Roles and Recent Developments

David Hancock was appointed to the Provincial Court of Alberta on December 5, 2017, as one of three new judges, with his role focused on adjudicating family and youth matters in Edmonton. In this capacity, Hancock has presided over cases involving child protection, youth criminal justice, and family law disputes, drawing on his prior experience as a lawyer and former Minister of Justice and Attorney General. On May 7, 2025, Hancock was elevated to the position of Assistant Chief Justice of the Court of Justice, specifically within the Edmonton Family and Youth Division, succeeding the previous incumbent and assuming administrative oversight responsibilities alongside his judicial duties. This appointment, announced by the government, recognizes his judicial tenure and expertise in sensitive areas such as domestic relations and juvenile proceedings, with no reported controversies surrounding the elevation.

Personal Life and Public Image

Family and Personal Relationships

Hancock is married to Janet Hancock, a former educator who served as principal of Lillian Osborne High School in until 2018. The couple has three adult children: , a teacher; Janis, a banker; and Janine. In 2014, Hancock publicly acknowledged the challenges public life imposed on his family, noting the emotional toll during his announcement to resign his legislative seat. The family resides in , where Hancock has maintained a low-profile personal life amid his long public career. No further details on or other significant relationships have been publicly disclosed in reputable sources.

Interests and Community Engagement

Hancock has demonstrated a commitment to volunteer service and community involvement, as noted by the Alberta government upon his appointment to the Provincial Court in December 2017. Prior to his judicial role, he served on boards of directors for multiple for-profit and non-profit organizations, with particular emphasis on and initiatives. These activities reflect his broader engagement in sectors aligned with his professional background in and , though specific personal hobbies remain undocumented in public records.

Legacy and Assessment

Policy Achievements and Contributions

As Minister of from 2008 to 2011, Dave Hancock spearheaded the "Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans" initiative, mandated by Premier to develop a long-term vision for Alberta's education system through 2030. This effort involved a 22-member steering committee and public consultations, resulting in recommendations emphasizing innovation, , and global competitiveness in education. In April 2011, he introduced the new Act, which aimed to enhance student success by modernizing governance, improving accountability, and supporting diverse learning needs, including provisions for school councils and parental involvement. Hancock also contributed to revisions of the School Act during his tenure, focusing on issues like school property management and student safety, with the updated legislation passing in November 2012 after his time as . These reforms sought to align provincial with evolving societal demands, though implementation faced subsequent political challenges. In his role as Minister of Human Services from 2012 to 2014, Hancock oversaw a super-ministry encompassing programs for the unemployed, disabled, homeless, and vulnerable children, emphasizing family support and violence prevention. Under his , the department advanced child intervention strategies, including improved parental access to and funding for victim assistance programs, as highlighted in the 2012-2013 . He prioritized early intervention for at-risk , stating that ensuring children have the "right start" was crucial for long-term societal outcomes. Across his cabinet portfolios in , , advanced education, and , Hancock influenced policies addressing core public priorities, including in learning and support for Aboriginal communities, drawing on his interests in and for small businesses. His contributions emphasized practical, evidence-based approaches to social and educational challenges in Alberta.

Criticisms and Challenges

Hancock's brief tenure as interim from March to September 2014 was overshadowed by the fallout from Alison Redford's amid scandals involving lavish , including unauthorized flights on provincial . On August 20, 2014, he issued a public apology to Albertans for the misuse of government planes, acknowledging that taxpayer resources had not been handled appropriately. He also directed the RCMP to investigate Redford's usage on August 6, 2014, citing violations of government rules and insufficient respect for public funds. On May 2, 2014, Hancock admitted to errors committed by the Progressive Conservative government under Redford, extending an apology to affected stakeholders during a public address in . Opposition parties, including the Wildrose, accused the administration of policy paralysis amid the ongoing PC leadership contest, arguing it hindered effective governance. Hancock responded by downplaying such claims, while on April 30, 2014, he apologized to party members for the PCs' disconnection from grassroots supporters, attributing it to internal missteps. As Education Minister from 2012 to 2014, Hancock initiated curriculum reforms in 2010 that critics later characterized as the start of a "lost decade" of costly, ineffective efforts plagued by partisan interference and failure to deliver coherent updates. In November 2009, he convened school boards to enforce a 1% cut to their 2009-10 budgets plus forfeiture of 11% of accumulated surpluses, prompting concerns from educators about impacts on classroom resources despite his insistence the meeting focused on efficiencies rather than outright reductions. Additionally, a May 2014 government-commissioned report on teacher evaluation and competence sparked backlash from the Alberta Teachers' Association, leading Hancock to clarify on May 17 that it did not reflect official policy.

References

  1. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/dave-hancock-sworn-in-as-interim-alberta-premier-1.2583452
  2. https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/alberta-premier-dave-hancock-resigns-seat-after-17-years-to-make-way-for-new-pc-leader-jim-prentice
  3. https://calgaryherald.com/news/premier-dave-hancock-retiring-from-politics
  4. https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/premier-dave-hancock-10-things-to-know-about-our-new-premier
  5. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/alberta-pcs-lost-their-way-premier-hancock-says-in-apology-for-redford-era/article18386501/
  6. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-judge-provincial-court-dave-hancock-marian-de-souza-robert-shaigec-1.4434194
  7. https://globalnews.ca/news/11169264/former-alberta-premier-david-hancock-justice-position/
  8. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/from-the-archives-moderate-dave-hancock-learns-to-speak-up
  9. https://www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca/public/download/files/242382
  10. https://edmontonrotary.com/event/b4299f0a-4077-4861-b857-294643789b64
  11. https://legacy.teachers.ab.ca/News%2520Room/The%2520Learning%2520Team/Volume%252012/Number%25201/Pages/Minister%2520of%2520Education%2520Dave%2520Hancock%25E2%2580%2599s%2520favourite%2520teacher.aspx
  12. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/law/about/news/2014/9/hancock-retires.html
  13. https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dave-hancock-95920716
  14. https://legacy.teachers.ab.ca/News%2520Room/ata%2520news/Volume%252042/Number%252015/In%2520the%2520News/Pages/Education%2520is%2520a%2520passion%2520of%2520new%2520minister.aspx
  15. https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/family/ex-premier-david-hancock-named-assistant-chief-justice-of-alberta-court-of-justice/392416
  16. https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/former-alberta-premier-david-hancock-given-new-post-as-assistant-justice/
  17. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/law/about/news/2017/12/dave-hancock.html
  18. https://edmontonrotary.com/event/e5c803d3-365e-4f8c-acad-4869b3b142b8
  19. https://globalnews.ca/news/3898237/former-alberta-premier-dave-hancock-named-provincial-judge/
  20. https://edmontonsun.com/2015/02/03/former-alberta-premier-dave-hancock-joins-the-worlds-largest-law-firm
  21. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/former-alberta-premier-dave-hancock-named-provincial-court-judge
  22. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/profile-of-dave-hancock-from-2006
  23. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-whitemud-riding-profile-1.2805189
  24. https://torontosun.com/2014/03/20/dave-hancock-named-interim-premier-of-alberta
  25. https://globalnews.ca/news/3247094/portrait-of-former-premier-dave-hancock-unveiled-at-alberta-legislature/
  26. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-premier-dave-hancock-stepping-down-from-legislature-1.2764524
  27. https://appuidepointe.com/honourable-dave-hancock-edmonton/
  28. https://globalnews.ca/news/242968/a-list-of-alberta-cabinet-members-hughes-to-energy-horner-picks-up-finance-2/
  29. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/dave-hancock-to-be-next-alberta-premier-1.2580189
  30. https://www.reuters.com/article/canada-politics-alberta/conservative-lawmaker-hancock-becomes-albertas-interim-premier-idUKL2N0MH11P20140320
  31. https://globalnews.ca/news/1225484/dave-hancock-to-be-sworn-in-as-albertas-15th-premier-sunday-evening/
  32. https://globalnews.ca/news/1493763/redford-resignation-premier-directs-justice-minister-to-call-for-rcmp-investigation-into-redfords-flights/
  33. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/outgoing-alberta-premier-dave-hancock-resigns-seat/article20577224/
  34. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/hancock-kept-his-humanity-during-40-years-in-politics
  35. https://www.elections.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/Part8.pdf
  36. https://www.elections.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/42.pdf
  37. https://www.canadianelectionsdatabase.ca/candidates/david-hancock/
  38. https://www.elections.ab.ca/uploads/2008_ANNUAL_REPORT_NET_POSTING_JAN_14_2009.pdf
  39. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/alberta-election-2012-edmonton-whitemud
  40. https://edmontonsun.com/2012/03/28/election-2012---edmonton-whitemud
  41. https://edmontonsun.com/2014/10/27/stephen-mandel-wins-edmonton-whitemud-byelection
  42. https://reddeeradvocate.com/2017/12/05/former-alberta-premier-dave-hancock-appointed-a-judge-in-provincial-court/
  43. https://www.lesaonline.org/judicial-appointments-for-the-alberta-court-of-justice-2/
  44. https://www.prpeak.com/politics/former-alberta-premier-david-hancock-given-new-post-as-assistant-justice-10628208
  45. https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/45370ce9-3a90-4ff2-8735-cdb760c720f0/resource/2ee2452c-81d3-414f-892f-060caf40e78e/download/4492270-2010-inspiring-education-dialogue-albertans-2010-04.pdf
  46. https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=302799895DD62-E2AD-816E-8000951EEA44EEC3
  47. https://globalnews.ca/news/310601/after-lengthy-session-alberta-legislature-passes-new-education-act/
  48. https://theconversation.com/alberta-curriculum-end-the-failed-partisan-politics-over-what-kids-should-learn-153163
  49. https://www.pialberta.org/edmonton_whitemud_mla_dave_hancock_will_take_charge_of_human_services
  50. https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/7d6fcb0d-b924-4b43-becb-24c69a713d7c/resource/ba989519-8144-48b9-852e-00ce2d628c90/download/5640292-2012-2013-annual-report-highlights.pdf
  51. https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/home/sites/default/files/2023-09/ab_07_05_13_-_redford_government_puts_children_first.pdf
  52. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/dave-hancock-apologizes-to-albertans-for-misuse-of-government-planes-1.2740775
  53. https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/alberta-premier-dave-hancock-expected-to-ask-rcmp-to-investigate-alison-redfords-use-of-aircraft
  54. https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/hancock-admits-mistakes-made-by-tories/
  55. https://calgaryherald.com/news/accusations-of-leadership-race-paralysis-garbage-pcs-say
  56. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonton/alberta/alberta-premier-apologizes-for-party-losing-touch-with-grassroots
  57. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/meeting-not-about-education-cuts-hancock-insists-1.839131
  58. https://calgaryherald.com/news/controversial-report-not-government-policy-hancock-tells-teachers
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