Former defence minister from Nova Scotia who resigned after club visit dies – CP

Source: The Canadian Press
Jan 13, 2016

HALIFAX _ Former federal defence minister Robert Coates, who resigned his post in 1985 after a controversial visit to a German strip club, has died.

A family member in Halifax confirmed his death, but was unavailable for further comment.

The longtime member of the Progressive Conservative Party was first elected to represent the Amherst area in Nova Scotia in 1957 and served over 30 years as an MP.

The Halifax Chronicle Herald reported that Coates had been sick for a short period and died on Monday night.

The veteran politician served only six months as Defence Minister in the Brian Mulroney cabinet before the scandal led to his departure.

He didn’t reoffer in the next federal campaign.

Coates was appointed to a federal trade tribunal for a five-year term by the Mulroney government after departing politics.

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