Herb Gray

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For the football player, see Herb Gray (football player).

Herbert Eser Gray, PC, CC, QC (born May 25, 1931, Windsor, Ontario) is a retired Canadian politician. He was Canada's first Jewish cabinet minister, and is one of only a few Canadians ever granted the title The 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 Law School 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.^[1]

Rt. Hon. Herb Gray with other parliamentary colleagues on Parliament Hill

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 after the 1993 election, 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 also retained an interest in provincial politics in the Windsor area. In 1996, he was named as honorary co-chair of Dwight Duncan's bid to the lead the provincial Liberal Party. (Windsor Star, 26 June 1996) Duncan had previously worked in Gray's office.

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 "The 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.

Cabinet Posts (2)
26th Ministry - Government of Jean Chrétien
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Sheila Copps	Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (1997–2002)	John Manley
Doug Lewis	Solicitor General of Canada (1993–1997)	Andy Scott
Special Cabinet Responsibilities
Predecessor	Title	Successor
	Minister responsible for the Millennium Bureau of Canada (1998–2002)
Special Parliamentary Responsibilities
Predecessor	Title	Successor
Doug Lewis	Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (1993–1997)	Don Boudria
23rd Ministry - Government of John Turner
Cabinet Post
Predecessor	Office	Successor
cont'd from 22nd Min.	President of the Treasury Board (1984)	Robert de Cotret
22nd Ministry - Second Government of Pierre Trudeau
Cabinet Posts (3)
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Don Johnston	President of the Treasury Board (1982–1984)	cont'd into 23rd Min.
Pierre de Bané	Minister of Regional Economic Expansion (1982)	Ed Lumley
Robert de Cotret	Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce (1980–1982)	Ed Lumley
20th Ministry - First Government of Pierre Trudeau
Cabinet Posts (3)
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Bob Andras	Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (1972–1976)	André Ouellet
Jean-Pierre Côté	Minister of National Revenue (1970–1972)	Robert Stanbury
	Minister without Portfolio (1969–1970)

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Preceded by Sheila Copps	Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada 1997-2002	Succeeded by John Manley
Preceded by John Turner	Leader of the Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons 1990	Succeeded by Jean Chrétien
Preceded by Norman Spencer, PC	Member of Parliament for Essex West 1962-1968	Succeeded by riding abolished in 1966
Preceded by first member, riding created in 1966	Member of Parliament for Windsor West 1968-2002	Succeeded by Brian Masse, New Democrat
Preceded by N/A	Dean of the House - Canadian House of Commons -2002	Succeeded by Charles Caccia