Gordon O'Connor

Gordon James O'Connor, PC, OMM, CD, MP (born May 18, 1939) is a retired Brigadier-General, businessman, lobbyist, and current Canadian Member of Parliament and the Minister of State and Chief Government Whip.

He was previously the Minister of National Revenue and the Minister of National Defence. O'Connor was one of the few defence ministers to have served in the military, the last being Gilles Lamontagne.

Early life and family

Born in Toronto, Ontario, he has a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Physics from Concordia University and a BA in Philosophy from York University.

Gordon O'Connor is married and has two children, both of whom are now adults. He currently resides in Kanata, Ontario, where he has lived for over 25 years.

Military career

He served over 30 years in the Canadian Army, starting as a Second Lieutenant in the Armour Branch and retiring with the rank of Brigadier-General.

O'Connor then entered the private sector as Vice-President of Business Development for a large facility management firm, and Vice-President of Operations for a vehicle testing centre. He was a Senior Associate with Hill & Knowlton Canada, a worldwide public relations, public affairs and strategic communications company. O'Connor has also been a lobbyist for several defence industry companies. These companies include: BAE Systems (1996 to 2004), General Dynamics (1996 to 2001), Atlas Elektronik GmbH (1999 to 2004), and Airbus Military (2001 to 2004).. (Search: O'Connor, Gordon.)...
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