Bill Clarke (politician)

William Hillary Clarke (born 5 July 1933 in Toronto, Ontario) is a chartered Accountant, businessman and politician. Clarke served as a Progressive Conservative party member of the House of Commons of Canada.

He entered national politics following his victory at Vancouver Quadra riding in the 1972 federal election. Clarke was re-elected at the riding in the 1974, 1979 and 1980 federal elections.

In the 1984 federal election, Clarke was defeated by Prime Minister John Turner, leader of the Liberal Party. Clarke was defeated even as his party won the most seats in Canadian history. Clarke made two further unsuccessful attempts to regain Vancouver Quadra in 1988, coming second to Turner, and 2000, coming third behind Stephen Owen.

Clarke served four consecutive terms, from the 29th through 32nd Canadian Parliaments.

Clarke attended schools in Toronto's Forest Hill district, then studied at Ridley College at St. Catharines and St. George's School in Vancouver. His post-secondary education was at the University of British Columbia. He became a chartered accountant for Price Waterhouse's Vancouver office in 1956.[1]

He was the Conservative Party of British Columbia's candidate for the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena in the 2013 British Columbia general election. He came in fourth place, with BC Liberal candidate Andrew Wilkinson winning.