A dual citizen of Canada and the United States, Thompson was born and raised in Monte Vista, Colorado.
At the age 19 he tried out for the New York Yankees as a catcher, but failed to make the team due to Yogi Berra's dominance at the position.
In the 1950s, Thompson studied at Adams State College in Colorado, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Education.
Issues he has focused on include government spending, same-sex marriage, victims' rights, child pornography, and prison reform.
"[2] In 2001, Thompson stated in question period that he felt too many RCMP officers were patrolling national parks searching for poachers instead of hunting in cities for terrorists.