Gerald William "Ged" Baldwin,
OC (January 18, 1907 – December 16, 1991) was a
Canadian politician who was known as the "Father and Grandfather" of the
Access to Information Act.
Born in
Palmerston, New Zealand, he was educated in
Edmonton and became a lawyer. During
World War II, he served with the Canadian Army in Britain and Europe. He was a candidate in the
1935 provincial elections.
He was first elected to the
Canadian House of Commons representing the riding of
Peace River in
1958 defeating
Social Credit Party of Canada leader
Solon Low. He had first run in
1957 but was defeated. A
Progressive Conservative he was re-elected in
1962,
1963,
1965,
1968,
1972,
1974, and
1979. From 1962 to 1963, he was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. From 1968 to 1973 and again from 1984 to 1976, he was the Official Opposition House Leader and Progressive Conservative Party House Leader.
In 1985, he was made an Officer of the
Order of Canada for "his efforts have stimulated many others to take up the cause, thus encouraging governments in many jurisdictions across Canada to adopt similar legislation.
In 1982, he received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the
University of Alberta.
He published his autobiography,
Frontier Justice, in 1987.
References
External links
Read More