Herb Gray’s history of service
Gray was first elected as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Windsor West in 1962. The Liberal’s re-election in 12 subsequent federal elections constitutes an unequalled record for continues days of service in the House of Commons of 39 years, six months and 26 days, as well as an unequalled record of 13 victories in the same riding.
He worked extensively as a Minister and an MP with an interest in parliamentary affairs, economic and industrial development, foreign investment, finance, consumer protection, competition, international trade, federal law enforcement, the environment and climate change, and Canada-US border issues.
Among his many political appointments, Gray served as Chair of the House of Commons Committee on Finance, Trade and Eco- nomic Affairs; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance; Minister without Portfolio working with the Minister of Finance, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs; Critic on Finance for the Official Opposition, Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce; Minister of Regional Economic Expansion; President of the Treasury Board; and Leader of the Opposition.
On November 4, 1993, Gray was appointed Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada, responsible for federal law enforcement activities. He was also named Political Minister for Ontario. On June 11, 1997, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
On January 15, 2002, the Governor General of Canada bestowed the title “Right Honourable” on Gray, in recognition of his distinguished and record-setting contribution to Canadian political life. It is a title typically bestowed on Prime Ministers, Governors General and Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Gray is a Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest designation of the Order of Canada. He is a recipient of the Canadian Centennial Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. He has received honorary degrees from the University of Windsor, Assumption University (Windsor), Catholic University of Lublin (Poland), McGill University, and the University of Ottawa.
Among his other appointments, Gray served as Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa, where he now resides.
Beyond his political life, his dedication to his own community included working with such organizations as the Jaycees, B’nai Brith and the Club Richilieu.