Ivor Dent was a prominent politician, military veteran, and community figure from Alberta who left his mark on the history of Edmonton and the province. His life is a true example of dedicated public service, courage, and self-confidence. He followed a long and fascinating path, from serving in the Second World War to holding the office of Mayor of Edmonton. In this article on edmonton-yes, we will explore the life of Ivor Dent.
Early Life and Youth
Ivor Dent was born on February 7, 1924, in Prince Albert. His father was a city councillor, so politics was always a part of Dent’s life. According to his recollections, his father was quite successful and opened a public hospital in Prince Albert.
At the beginning of the Second World War, he tried several times to join the Royal Canadian Air Force but was turned away. He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway for a time, and a year later, he was finally accepted into the air force. He served in bomber command for three years. At the time, he was still in Grade 11. He only completed his final year, Grade 12, after returning from service.
After finishing high school, the young man enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan. It was also during this time that he married his wife, Aileen. The couple would go on to have four children. In 1949, Ivor Dent graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Move to Edmonton
Three years later, Ivor Dent and his wife moved to Edmonton. Here, he entered the University of Alberta, where he earned a Bachelor of Education degree. Following this, he lived in the village of Enchant for a year, working as a teacher, before returning to Edmonton. In 1956, Dent earned his third university degree, a Master of Administration.
A Tough Path to a Political Career
Dent’s first attempt to run for office was during the 1955 Alberta general election. He ran in Edmonton for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, but it was an unsuccessful bid.
In 1957, he ran for the position of alderman on Edmonton’s city council. He finished 7th out of 19, but a candidate needed to be in the top 5 to be elected. All his efforts up to 1960 were unsuccessful. He then took a two-year break from politics to pursue a doctorate in educational administration at the University of Oregon.
After completing his studies, an inspired Dent returned to Edmonton and took a position as a vice-principal at a school. In 1962, he ran for the leadership of the New Democratic Party. The politician lost to Neil Reimer but was elected president of the party.
Dent was finally elected as an alderman in 1963. He was re-elected to two-year terms in 1964 and 1968.
Ivor Dent – Mayor of Edmonton
In 1968, Ivor Dent ran for mayor. He managed to defeat his fellow aldermen in a tight political race. He was re-elected in 1971. He held the office of mayor until 1974, when he faced strong challengers in the election: former mayor William Hawrelak and alderman Cec Purves.
One of Dent’s greatest achievements was bringing the 1978 Commonwealth Games to Edmonton. During his time as mayor, Edmonton’s river valley park system was also expanded. Dent himself considered his main achievement to be convincing the provincial government to develop the Mill Woods area as an affordable housing district. Under his leadership, several municipal programs were created to support vulnerable populations. The mayor also actively championed the implementation of a light rail transit (LRT) system in the city.
After Politics
After his defeat in the 1974 election, Dent attended Oxford University to study public administration. His lifelong thirst for knowledge is truly remarkable. Upon returning to Canada, he decided to continue sharing his knowledge and became the principal of Rundle Elementary School, where he worked until his retirement in 1980.
He attempted to return to politics several times, but these were unsuccessful bids. Nevertheless, the city still remembers him as a very dedicated and talented mayor. In 1984, he was appointed to the Order of Canada, and in 2005, Dent was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal.
Death
Ivor Dent passed away in 2009 from dementia. His wife had predeceased him. Dent was survived by his four children and seven grandchildren. His son, Charles Dent, remembered his father as an “eternal politician” who was always active in politics and loved the work. Ivor Dent believed he owed a debt to the state. He taught his son that one should dedicate as much time and effort as possible to improving society.
Charles Dent followed his father into politics. In 1991, he was first elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly and served as an MLA. He left politics in 2007.
A school and a sports park in the city have been named in Ivor Dent’s honour. He left a significant legacy in both politics and education. Ivor Dent not only made a major contribution to Edmonton’s development but also became a symbol of true leadership. He did everything he could to make Edmonton a comfortable and successful city, and so his name will forever remain a part of Edmonton’s history and an inspiration for future generations of politicians.