Robert Henry McGregor
Encyclopedia
Robert Henry McGregor, PC
(March 1, 1886 – October 25, 1965) was a long-time Canadian
parliamentarian
.
MacGregor was a contractor and horticulturalist
by profession. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons
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.
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 and was Dean of the House of Commons
being its longest-serving member in the last years of his career.
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."
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.
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
(March 1, 1886 – October 25, 1965) was a long-time Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
parliamentarian
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
.
MacGregor was a contractor and horticulturalist
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
by profession. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in the 1926 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1926
The Canadian federal election of 1926 was held on September 14 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 16th Parliament of Canada. The election was called following an event known as the King-Byng Affair...
and sat continuously in the chamber for thirty-six years until his defeat in the 1962 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1962
The Canadian federal election of 1962 was held on June 18, 1962 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 25th Parliament of Canada...
when he was 79 years old.
His initial experience in politics began in 1912 when he was appointed a school trustee for York Township
York, Ontario
York is a dissolved municipality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is located northwest of Old Toronto, southwest of North York and east of Etobicoke, where it is bounded by the Humber River. Formerly a separate city, it was one of six municipalities that amalgamated in 1998 to form...
. Eventually he became reeve of East York
East York
East York can refer to:*East York, Pennsylvania, United States*East York, Ontario, Canada...
. 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
York South
York South was an electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1904 to 1979, and in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1926 to 1999....
, he switched to the new Toronto riding of York East
York East
York East was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons at different times, and a provincial electoral district. It was located in the province of Ontario.-Federal electoral district :...
when it was created for the 1935 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1935
The Canadian federal election of 1935 was held on October 14, 1935 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 18th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal Party of William Lyon Mackenzie King won a majority government, defeating Prime Minister R.B. Bennett's Conservative Party.The central...
. He won election a total of eight consecutive times and was Dean of the House of Commons
Dean of the House (Canada)
In Canada, the Dean of the House is the Member of the House of Commons with the longest unbroken record of service who is not a Cabinet Minister, party Leader, House Leader or Whip. The Dean is responsible for presiding over the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons at the beginning of...
being its longest-serving member in the last years of his career.
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."
Though never a member of Cabinet, he was elevated to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
on December 21, 1960 on Diefenbaker's recommendation in recognition of McGregor's long tenure of service.