Collier was born in Kamloops and raised in Salmon Arm, where his family was prominent in the grocery business.

[1] He became Commanding Officer of the destroyer HMCS Skeena in 1960, Captain Sea Training on the staff of the Flag Officer Atlantic Coast in 1962 and Director Naval Plans at the National Defence Headquarters in 1964.

[1] He went on to be Director International Plans in 1965, Commander Seventh Canadian Escort Squadron in 1966 and Deputy Chief of Staff Maritime Training in 1967.

[1] After that he became Deputy Chief of Staff (Combat Readiness) in 1970, Commander Canadian Flotilla (Atlantic) in 1972 and Senior Liaison Officer (Navy) on the Defence Liaison Staff in Washington, D.C. in 1973.

He was appointed Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard in 1980 and served as president of the British Columbia Ferry Corporation 1984–1987.