Fonds PA 342 - Colin Maxwell fonds

Colin Maxwell was born on December 16, 1943 in Tillicoultry, Scotland to Colin Maxwell and Molly Drummond. He earned diplomas from the Scottish School of Physical Education (1965) and Jordanhill College of Education (1966) in Glasgow, Scotland. In 1975, Maxwell earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Regina.

After emigrating to Canada in 1966, Maxwell worked as an elementary school teacher (1967-1974) and lecturer at the University of Regina (1974-1976). He was Principal of Spiritwood High School in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan from 1976 to 1982. He served as mayor of the Town of Spiritwood from 1978 to 1981 and was a member of the Union Hospital board and volunteer fire brigade and secretary of the Spiritwood Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation.

Maxwell was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1982 and served as the Progressive Conservative member for the Turtleford constituency until 1990. Maxwell served in the Grant Devine Government as Minister of Advanced Education and Manpower (1983-1985); Minister of Parks and Renewable Resources (1985-1987); Minister of Culture and Recreation (1986-1987); Minister of Parks, Recreation and Culture (1987-1989); and Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Recreation (1989-1990).

Maxwell was Minister Responsible for Universities Commission (1983); Saskatchewan Archives Board (1983-1985, 1987-1990); Advanced Technical Training Centre of Saskatchewan Corporation (1984-1985); New Careers Corporation (1985-1989); Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts (1986-1990); Saskatchewan Arts Board (1986-1990); Western Development Museum (1986-1990); Wakamow Valley Authority (1989); Wascana Centre Authority (1989); Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (1989-1990) and Future Corporation (1989-1990).

Maxwell resigned from Cabinet on May 28 1990 and vacated his seat in the Legislature shortly thereafter. He moved to Ottawa, Ontario, where he became executive vice-president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Wildlife Federation until 2007.

Maxwell died at Ottawa on July 6, 2018.

In 1988, Maxwell was the recipient of the Ernest Thompson Seton award for his outstanding contribution in publicizing the plight of North American waterfowl.

Colin Maxwell married Charlotte (Cherry) Harvey on July 6, 1966. They have three children: Ashley, Kirstin and Brigham.