Edward Leslie Gray
Encyclopedia
Edward Leslie Gray was a politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
from Alberta
, Canada
.
Gray was elected in a by-election in the Edmonton
after the death of George Van Allen. He also became the Alberta Liberal Party
leader in 1937. The by-election was considered the first test of strength for the Alberta Social Credit Party government.
Gray's election marked the beginning of the Unity Movement, despite running under the Liberal banner he was elected with the popular support of Conservatives. He defeated 2 time Edmonton Mayor Joseph Clarke
, who ran as a People's Candidate backed by Social Credit, and Communist
Leader Jan Lakeman
.
Gray served as Alberta Liberal Party leader until 1940, strongly favouring a coalition arrangement with the Conservatives and some former United Farmers of Alberta
members against Social Credit. The coalition ran under the name of the Independent Citizens' Association. He ran in Bow Valley in the 1940 Alberta election
, but was defeated.
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
from Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
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...
.
Gray was elected in a by-election in the Edmonton
Edmonton (provincial electoral district)
Edmonton provincial electoral district existed in two incarnations from 1905 - 1909 and again from 1921 - 1955. The district was created when Alberta first became a province....
after the death of George Van Allen. He also became the Alberta Liberal Party
Alberta Liberal Party
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
leader in 1937. The by-election was considered the first test of strength for the Alberta Social Credit Party government.
Gray's election marked the beginning of the Unity Movement, despite running under the Liberal banner he was elected with the popular support of Conservatives. He defeated 2 time Edmonton Mayor Joseph Clarke
Joseph Clarke
Joseph Andrew Clarke was a Canadian politician and lawyer. He served twice as mayor of Edmonton, Alberta, was a candidate for election to the Canadian House of Commons and the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, and was a member of the Yukon Territorial Council .-Early life:Clarke was born in...
, who ran as a People's Candidate backed by Social Credit, and Communist
Communist Party (Alberta)
Communist Party – Alberta is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. It is a provincial branch of the Communist Party of Canada.-History:...
Leader Jan Lakeman
Jan Lakeman
John "Jan" Lakeman was a mid 20th century Labour rights activist, perennial election candidate and former leader of the provincial Communist Party in Alberta, Canada.-Political career:...
.
Gray served as Alberta Liberal Party leader until 1940, strongly favouring a coalition arrangement with the Conservatives and some former United Farmers of Alberta
United Farmers of Alberta
The United Farmers of Alberta is an association of Alberta farmers that has served many different roles throughout its history as a lobby group, a political party, and as a farm-supply retail chain. Since 1934 it has primarily been an agricultural supply cooperative headquartered in Calgary...
members against Social Credit. The coalition ran under the name of the Independent Citizens' Association. He ran in Bow Valley in the 1940 Alberta election
Alberta general election, 1940
The Alberta general election of 1940 was the ninth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada, was held on March 21, 1940 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
, but was defeated.
