Colin W. G. Gibson

Colin William George Gibson, PC (February 16, 1891 – July 3, 1974) was a Canadian politician, land surveyor and lawyer.

Colin William George Gibson
Born	(1891-02-16)February 16, 1891 Hamilton, Ontario
Died	July 3, 1974(1974-07-03) (aged 83)
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Royal Fusiliers 1914-1919 Royal Hamilton Light Infantry 1929-1934
Years of service	1911–1919
Rank	Lieutenant-Colonel 1929-1934 Commandant 1935-1938
Awards	PC
Other work	Canadian politician, land surveyor and lawyer

Career

He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario in 1911 (cadet # 805). He served with the Royal Fusiliers in 1914 and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915 where he was a Member of Alpha Delta Phi.[1] He was lieutenant-colonel of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry from 1929 to 1934. He practiced law from 1919. He was a founding member of the Royal Military College of Canada ex-cadet club in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930. He became Commandant of Hamilton Garrison from 1935 to 1939.

As Member of Parliament for Hamilton West, he was reelected three times from 1940.03.26 to 1950. He was first elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Hamilton West in 1940, with 55.9% of the vote in a two candidate race. Following his election, he was appointed as Minister of National Revenue (1940.07.08 - 1945.03.07). Near the end of his first term, he was also appointed as the acting and later permanent Minister of National Defence for Air (1945.03.08 - 1946.12.11).[2] He served as Secretary of State (1948.11.15 - 1949.03.31) and (1946.12.12 - 1948.11.14). He was Minister for Mines and Resources (1949.04.01 - 1950.01.17).

Following his re-election with 40.2% of the vote (in a three-way, four-party race), he continued as Minister of National Defence for Air (1945.01.11 - 1945.03.07). He was made the Secretary of State for Canada (1948.11.15 - 1949.03.31) and (1946.12.12 - 1948.11.14). Just before the end of his second term, he was moved to the post of Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources (Canada) (1949.04.01 - 1950.01.17).[2]

He continued in this post after he was re-elected in 1949 (with 43.5% of the vote). He resigned from both cabinet and parliament upon his appointment as Puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Ontario. He died in 1974.

Family

Gibson was the son of Major General Sir John Morison Gibson, former Attorney General of Ontario. His son, Colin D. Gibson, held the riding of Hamilton—Wentworth from 1968 to 1972.

Legacy

The Gibson Medal at the Royal Military College of Canada is awarded to the top graduating student in the Arts Division.

References

1. Catalogue of the Alpha Delta Phi: 1832-1966. New York, NY: The Executive Council of The Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. 1966. p. 202.
2. Colin W. G. Gibson – Parliament of Canada biography

Books

• 4237 Dr. Adrian Preston & Peter Dennis (Edited) "Swords and Covenants" Rowman And Littlefield, London. Croom Helm. 1976.
• H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College of Canada" 1997 Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1969.
• H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "Canada's RMC - A History of Royal Military College" Second Edition 1982
• H16511 Dr. Richard Preston "R.M.C. and Kingston: The effect of imperial and military influences on a Canadian community" 1968
• H1877 R. Guy C. Smith (editor) "As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember". In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876-1918. Volume II: 1919-1984. Royal Military College. [Kingston]. The R.M.C. Club of Canada. 1984

Parliament of Canada
Preceded by John Allmond Marsh	Member for Hamilton West 1940-1950	Succeeded by Ellen Fairclough
Preceded by Angus Lewis Macdonald	Minister of National Defence for Air 1945-1946	Succeeded by None - position abolished