24 Facts About Elmer Roper

Elmer Ernest Roper was a Canadian businessman, trade unionist and politician.

Elmer Roper was educated in Sydney, and moved west to Calgary, Alberta in 1907.

Elmer Roper became involved in the labour movement as a young man.

In 1922, Elmer Roper became secretary-treasurer of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

Elmer Roper edited the AF of L's official organ Alberta Labour News from 1921 to 1935 when he changed the newspaper's name to People's Weekly and made it the de facto house organ of the new Alberta Co-operative Commonwealth Federation with William Irvine as co-editor.

Elmer Roper ran for school trustee in Edmonton's 1924 municipal election.

Elmer Roper finished fourth of seven candidates, in an election in which three members were elected using single transferable voting.

Elmer Roper tried again in the 1925 Edmonton municipal election, and this time was elected.

Elmer Roper again came in fourth of seven candidates on the first count and was elected because he held this position and this time four seats were being filled.

Elmer Roper was re-elected in 1927 but did not seek re-election at the expiration of his second term in 1929.

Elmer Roper was less successful on this occasion, finishing sixteenth of eighteen candidates on the first count - only five were being elected.

Elmer Roper tried again in a 1931 by-election resulting from the death of Charles Weaver; he came in second of four candidates.

Elmer Roper ran under the CCF banner in the 1940 election.

Elmer Roper came in seventh of nineteen candidates on the first ballot and did not improve his position so was defeated .

Elmer Roper was nominated as the CCF's candidate in the ensuing by-election.

The by-election was conducted using Alternative Voting and Elmer Roper came out on top of a five-person field.

Elmer Roper was leader of the CCF for thirteen years, but he did not have to sit as its lone MLA that long: after the 1944 election, he was joined in the legislature by Aylmer Liesemer of Calgary.

Elmer Roper did not add any new MLAs to his tiny caucus as Social Credit's stranglehold over the province remained intact.

Elmer Roper later said he thought that Manning had abolished the STV system in Edmonton to keep Elmer Roper from ever getting a seat again.

Elmer Roper chose to contest it, and defeated three candidates.

Elmer Roper was re-elected in the 1961 election, handily defeating alderman Ed Leger.

Elmer Roper did not seek re-election at the conclusion of his second term.

Elmer Roper retired to Victoria, British Columbia in 1975, and died there November 12,1994, aged 101.

Elmer Roper had been made an honorary life member of the Rotary Club in 1928, and had received an honorary doctorate in laws from the University of Alberta in 1959.