Doug Ferguson (Canadian politician)
Encyclopedia
Doug Ferguson was the president of the Liberal Party of Canada
from 2008-2009.
Born to Ralph
and Dolores Ferguson and raised on a farm near Watford, Ontario, he received a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Ottawa
and a law degree from the University of Western Ontario
.
He was a lawyer for twenty years in London, Ontario
practicing civil litigation and estates before he joined the Faculty of Law, at the University of Western Ontario
as an adjunct professor and as Director of Community Legal Services. This legal clinic provides legal services to low income persons who cannot afford a lawyer.
In the community, Ferguson served as President of Covent Garden Market, and led this city-owned public market through the planning and constructing a new $17 million building. From 2004-2006 he served as a board member of Mission Services of London, a social agency providing assistance to the homeless. From 2006-08, he was President of the Canadian Club of London, an organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and Canadian unity. He also served as President of a local Optimist club and as a Lieutenant-Governor in the Optimist organization.
In the Liberal Party, Ferguson served as riding president for both the London West federal and provincial associations when Sue Barnes and Christopher Bentley
were elected as MP and MPP respectively. He was campaign manager for Sue Barnes
in London West and Glen Pearson
in London North Centre when they first won office.
In 1994, Ferguson was elected as Vice President Organization for the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario), and from 1998-2003 served as the National Organization Chair for the Liberal Party of Canada
. During his term he created Liberal University, a training program for grassroots Liberals. A few years later, at the Liberal leadership convention in December 2006, Ferguson was elected Vice President English Speaking of the Liberal Party of Canada.
In April 2008, he was elected as President of the Liberal Party of Canada by the party's national executive to replace Senator Marie Poulin after she resigned due to illness. During his term as President, Ferguson oversaw changes to the party's governance, implemented a national party membership, co-chaired the Change Commission after the 2008 election, and promoted internal party reform, openness, and accountability.
In 2009, Ferguson was replaced by Alfred Apps
as the president of the Liberal Party of Canada.
At a nomination meeting held on September 10, 2009, Ferguson was elected to stand as the Liberal candidate in the riding of London West. In the 2011 federal election, he was defeated by Conservative incumbent Ed Holder
.
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
from 2008-2009.
Born to Ralph
Ralph Ferguson
Ralph Ferguson, PC is a farmer and former Canadian politician.Ferguson is a farmer in south-western Ontario, and co-founder of the Lambton Pork Producers Association...
and Dolores Ferguson and raised on a farm near Watford, Ontario, he received a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
and a law degree from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
.
He was a lawyer for twenty years in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
practicing civil litigation and estates before he joined the Faculty of Law, at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
as an adjunct professor and as Director of Community Legal Services. This legal clinic provides legal services to low income persons who cannot afford a lawyer.
In the community, Ferguson served as President of Covent Garden Market, and led this city-owned public market through the planning and constructing a new $17 million building. From 2004-2006 he served as a board member of Mission Services of London, a social agency providing assistance to the homeless. From 2006-08, he was President of the Canadian Club of London, an organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and Canadian unity. He also served as President of a local Optimist club and as a Lieutenant-Governor in the Optimist organization.
In the Liberal Party, Ferguson served as riding president for both the London West federal and provincial associations when Sue Barnes and Christopher Bentley
Christopher Bentley
Christopher "Chris" Bentley is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and is the province's Attorney General in the Liberal government of Premier Dalton McGuinty.-Academic endeavours:...
were elected as MP and MPP respectively. He was campaign manager for Sue Barnes
Sue Barnes
Susan "Sue" Barnes, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. Barnes is currently a member of the Liberal Party of Canada and was in the Canadian House of Commons, representing the riding of London West from 1993 to 2008....
in London West and Glen Pearson
Glen Pearson
Glen Douglas Pearson is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a former Member of Parliament for London North Centre, and is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.-Life and career:...
in London North Centre when they first won office.
In 1994, Ferguson was elected as Vice President Organization for the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario), and from 1998-2003 served as the National Organization Chair for the Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
. During his term he created Liberal University, a training program for grassroots Liberals. A few years later, at the Liberal leadership convention in December 2006, Ferguson was elected Vice President English Speaking of the Liberal Party of Canada.
In April 2008, he was elected as President of the Liberal Party of Canada by the party's national executive to replace Senator Marie Poulin after she resigned due to illness. During his term as President, Ferguson oversaw changes to the party's governance, implemented a national party membership, co-chaired the Change Commission after the 2008 election, and promoted internal party reform, openness, and accountability.
In 2009, Ferguson was replaced by Alfred Apps
Alfred Apps
William Alfred Apps is a Canadian lawyer, businessman and prominent activist in both the Liberal Party of Canada and the Ontario Liberal Party. He is currently counsel to a Canadian law firm, Fasken Martineau, based in their Toronto office. Apps is associated with a number of philanthropic and...
as the president of the Liberal Party of Canada.
At a nomination meeting held on September 10, 2009, Ferguson was elected to stand as the Liberal candidate in the riding of London West. In the 2011 federal election, he was defeated by Conservative incumbent Ed Holder
Ed Holder
Edwin A. Holder is a Canadian politician, who was elected to represent the electoral district of London West in the 2008 Canadian federal election. He is a member of the Conservative Party.-Electoral record:...
.