Frederick Howard Collins (Commissioner of Yukon)

Frederick Howard Collins (c. 1897 – August 24, 1988) was Commissioner of Yukon from 1955 to 1962. He succeeded Wilfred George Brown and was followed in the position by George Robertson Cameron.[2] The Yukon territorial government today resembles those in the Canadian provinces, i.e., parliamentary and with a Premier. But historically, and during the term of Collins, the federally-appointed Commissioner was the actual chief executive of the territory. Collins brought with him to the Yukon a long tenure in the Canadian army. Serving in both world wars, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.[3] He also came with his experience as a civil servant in the Federal Treasury Board.[4]

Federal census figures reveal that during the Collins years as Commissioner the population of Yukon increased some 20 percent (from 12,190 in 1956 to 14,628 in 1961) and the population of the capital city, Whitehorse, nearly doubled (from 2,570 to 5,031).[5] Major improvements were made in the transportation infrastructure in the territory as well as in education and social services.

The most visible legacy of Collins and his tenure as Yukon Commissioner is the F. H. Collins Secondary School in Whitehorse. Ex-Commissioner Collins was present for the ceremonial opening of the school on 11 January 1963 [6] According to the school's website, "during his term in office, (Collins) initiated several changes in the field of education and much improved the standards of the system." [7] In 2016, a new Whitehorse secondary school also named in honor of F.H. Collins opened. It replaced the structure carrying his name which had first opened its doors to students in 1963.[8]

During the Collins tenure as Commissioner, plans likewise were made for the launch of post-secondary teaching and learning in the territory. As a result, in 1963 the Vocational and Technical Training Centre opened in Whitehorse, soon followed by satellite branches in other Yukon communities. Building upon the development of its Yukon Vocational and Technical Training Centre precursor, Yukon College opened in 1983.[9] Plans for the transition of Yukon College to university status have now been legislatively-approved and are being implemented. Bearing the name Yukon University, this institution will be the first in Canada north of the 60th. parallel to carry official university status.[10]

Collins retired to St. Catharines, Ontario. He died there in 1988.[11][12][13] .