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Herb Gray facts for kids

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For the football player, see Herb Gray (Canadian football).
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The Right Honourable
Herb Gray
PC CC QC
Herb Gray 2008.jpg
Gray in 2008
7th Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
In office
June 11, 1997 – January 14, 2002
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Preceded by Sheila Copps
Succeeded by John Manley
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
In office
November 4, 1993 – April 27, 1997
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Preceded by Doug Lewis
Succeeded by Don Boudria
Leader of the Opposition
In office
February 8, 1990 – December 10, 1990
Preceded by John Turner
Succeeded by Jean Chrétien
Member of Parliament
for Windsor West
(Essex West; 1962–1968)
In office
June 18, 1962 – January 15, 2002
Preceded by Norman Spencer
Succeeded by Brian Masse
Personal details
Born
Herbert Eser Gray

(1931-05-25)May 25, 1931
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Died April 21, 2014(2014-04-21) (aged 82)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Political party Liberal
Spouse
Sharon Sholzberg
​
(m. 1967)​
Children 2
Residences Ottawa, Ontario
Alma mater McGill University
Osgoode Hall Law School
Profession Lawyer

Herbert Eser Gray (May 25, 1931 – April 21, 2014) was an important Canadian politician and lawyer. He was a member of the Liberal Party. He served in Parliament for the Windsor area for almost 40 years, from 1962 to 2002. This makes him one of the longest-serving members in Canadian history.

Herb Gray was a cabinet minister under three different prime ministers. He also served as the seventh Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2002. He was Canada's first Jewish federal cabinet minister. He was also given the special title The Right Honourable, which is a rare honour for someone who wasn't a prime minister or chief justice.

Early Life and School

Herb Gray was born in Windsor, Ontario. His mother, Fannie, was a nurse, and his father, Harry, sold fabrics. Both of his parents came from Jewish families in Belarus.

Gray went to Victoria School and Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor. In 1952, he earned a degree in Commerce from McGill University. He then studied at Osgoode Hall Law School to become a lawyer. He officially became a lawyer and joined the Law Society of Upper Canada.

On July 23, 1967, Herb Gray married Sharon Sholzberg, who was also a lawyer. They had two children, Jonathan David and Elizabeth Anne.

A Career in Politics

Herb Gray was first elected to Parliament on June 18, 1962. He represented the area of Essex West. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. He was re-elected twelve more times in federal elections. This means he served continuously for a very long time, setting a record.

During his time in Parliament, Gray held many important jobs. He was a cabinet minister under Prime Ministers Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. He also led the opposition party in the House of Commons from 1984 to 1990.

From February to December 1990, he was the Leader of the Opposition. This happened during the time when John Turner was stepping down as Liberal leader and Jean Chrétien was taking over.

After the Liberals won the 1993 election, Gray was given new roles. He became the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. He was also appointed Solicitor General of Canada. On June 11, 1997, he became the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada.

Gray also cared about local politics in the Windsor area. In 1996, he helped Dwight Duncan in his campaign to lead the provincial Liberal Party. Duncan had worked in Gray's office before.

Retirement and Passing

Bust of Herb Gray, Windsor, Ontario, Canada 2014-12-07
A bronze statue of Herb Gray in Windsor, Ontario.

Herb Gray retired from Parliament on January 14, 2002. After leaving politics, he was appointed Canadian Chair of the International Joint Commission. This group works with Canada and the United States to solve issues about water and air rights across their border.

On November 28, 2008, Carleton University announced that Gray would be their 10th chancellor. This is a ceremonial leader of the university. He passed away in a hospital in Ottawa on April 21, 2014, at the age of 82.

Honours and Recognition

Herb Gray received many honours for his long service to Canada. On January 15, 2002, Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson gave him the title "The Right Honourable". This was to recognize his amazing contributions to Canadian politics.

In 2003, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honours a Canadian can receive. It is given to people who have made outstanding contributions to the country. He was recognized for being "an enduring force in Canadian politics."

He also received several medals, including:

  • Canadian Centennial Medal
  • Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
  • 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
  • Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
  • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

He received honorary degrees from several universities. These included the University of Windsor and McGill University. In 2009, he became an honorary brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi.

The upgraded Windsor-Essex Parkway was renamed the Right Honourable Herb Gray Parkway in his honour.

Personal Life and Health

In 1996, Herb Gray was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He recovered after receiving radiation treatment. In 1999, he had surgery for a prostate condition. In August 2001, he had heart surgery to fix a valve problem he had known about for years.

Images for kids

  • Bust of Herb Gray, Windsor, Ontario, Canada 2014-12-07

    A bronze statue of Herb Gray in Windsor, Ontario.

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