Herb Gray
The Right Honourable Herbert Eser (Herb) Gray PC, CC (born May 25, 1931, Windsor, Ontario) was a Canadian politician. He was Canada's first Jewish cabinet minister, and is one of only a few Canadians ever granted the title Right Honourable who was not so entitled by virtue of a position held.
Prior to entering elected politics, Gray pursued studies in Commerce at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and in Law at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, Ontario. He was first elected to Parliament for the riding of Essex West on June 18, 1962, as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. He was re-elected in twelve subsequent federal elections, making him the longest continuously-serving Member of Parliament in Canadian history.
Gray served in a variety of roles during his parliamentary career, including cabinet ministries and committee chairmanships during the Liberal governments of Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau, and as Opposition House Leader from 1984 to 1990.
From February 6, 1990 to December 21, 1990, he was Leader of the Opposition, between the resignation of John Turner as Liberal leader and the election to Parliament of his successor, Jean Chrétien.
When the Liberals returned to power in 1993, Gray was appointed Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada. On June 11, 1997, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
Gray retired from Parliament on January 14, 2002, and was appointed Canadian Chair of the International Joint Commission, a bilateral organization which deals with Canada-United States transboundary issues on water and air rights. On January 15, 2002 the Governor General of Canada granted Gray the title "Right Honourable", in honour of his distinguished and record-setting contribution to Canadian political life.
Gray is the Commissioner of the International Joint Commission.
On July 23, 1967, Gray married lawyer Sharon Sholzberg, with whom he has two children.
Gray is also a Companion of the Order of Canada, a designation which can be bestowed on only 165 outstanding Canadians at any given time.
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| 26th Ministry – Government of Jean Chrétien | |||
| Cabinet Posts (2) | |||
| Preceded by: Sheila Copps | Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (1997-2002) | Succeeded by: John Manley | |
| Preceded by: Doug Lewis | Solicitor General of Canada (1993-1997) | Succeeded by: Andy Scott | |
| Special Cabinet Responsibilities | |||
| Minister responsible for the Millennium Bureau of Canada (1998-2002) | |||
| Special Parliamentary Responsibilities | |||
| Preceded by: Doug Lewis | Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (1993-1997) | Succeeded by: Don Boudria | |
| 23rd Ministry – Government of John Napier Turner | |||
| Cabinet Posts (1) | |||
| Preceded by: cont'd from 22nd Min. | President of the Treasury Board (1984) | Succeeded by: Robert de Cotret | |
| 22nd Ministry – Second Government of Pierre Elliott Trudeau | |||
| Cabinet Posts (3) | |||
| Preceded by: Don Johnston | President of the Treasury Board (1982-1984) | Succeeded by: cont'd into 23rd Min. | |
| Preceded by: Pierre de Bané | Minister of Regional Economic Expansion (1982) | Succeeded by: Ed Lumley | |
| Preceded by: Robert de Cotret | Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce (1980-1982) | Succeeded by: Ed Lumley | |
| 20th Ministry – First Government of Pierre Elliott Trudeau | |||
| Cabinet Posts (3) | |||
| Preceded by: Robert Andras | Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (1972-1976) | Succeeded by: André Ouellet | |
| Preceded by: Jean-Pierre Côté | Minister of National Revenue (1970-1972) | Succeeded by: Robert Stanbury | |
| Minister without Portfolio (1969-1970) | |||
| Preceded by: John Turner | Leader of the Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons | Succeded by: Jean Chrétien |
| Preceded by: federal riding created in 1966 | Member of Parliament for Windsor West (1968-2002) | Succeeded by: Brian Masse, NDP |
| Preceded by: Norman Spencer, PC | Member of Parliament for Essex West (1962-1968) | Succeeded by: federal riding abolished in 1966 |