Robert Henry McGregor
Robert Henry McGregor, PC (March 1, 1886 – October 25, 1965) was a long-time Canadian parliamentarian.
Robert Henry McGregor | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for York East | |
| In office 1935–1962 | |
| Preceded by | new riding |
| Succeeded by | Steve Otto |
| Member of Parliament for York South | |
| In office 1926–1935 | |
| Preceded by | William Findlay Maclean |
| Succeeded by | James Earl Lawson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 1, 1886 |
| Died | January 25, 1965 (aged 78) |
| Political party | Conservative National Government Historical Conservative |
| Spouse(s) | Olive Linda McGregor (nee Moorcroft) died in 1926. Olive and R.H. McGregor are the parents of Audrey McCrae, Mildred Baechler, Russell McGregor. 2nd spouse, Estelle Orr[1] |
| Profession | Horticulturist |
MacGregor was a contractor and horticulturalist by profession. He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1926 federal election and sat continuously in the chamber for thirty-six years until his defeat in the 1962 federal election when he was 79 years old.[2]
His initial experience in politics began in 1912 when he was appointed a school trustee for York Township. Eventually he became reeve of East York. In 1922, R.H. McGregor Elementary School was erected and named in his honour.
Originally elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for York South, he switched to the new Toronto riding of York East when it was created for the 1935 federal election. He won election a total of eight consecutive times[2] and was Dean of the House of Commons being its longest-serving member in the last years of his career.[3]
Despite his long tenure in the House of Commons he spoke rarely and was nicknamed "Silent Bob" McGregor. His only recorded Parliamentary speech occurred when being feted in the House on his 74th birthday. On that occasion he remarked "If a good many hon. Members made fewer speeches in the House, they would be here longer."[1][3]
Though never a member of Cabinet, he was elevated to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada on December 21, 1960 on Diefenbaker's recommendation in recognition of McGregor's long tenure of service.
References
- "Robert H. McGregor - In Commons 36 Years, Made One Speech / Deaths". The Globe and Mail. 1965-10-26. p. 43.
- Robert Henry McGregor – Parliament of Canada biography
- The Role of the Speaker of the House of Commons, Speech by Peter Milliken at the University Club of Toronto October 25, 2001. (Accessed February 17, 2007)