Gordon Osbaldeston
Encyclopedia
Gordon Francis Joseph Osbaldeston, (born April 29, 1930) is a former Canadian
civil servant.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario
, he received a Bachelor of Commerce
from the University of Toronto
in 1952 and a Master of Business Administration
from the University of Western Ontario
in 1953. He was the Gold Medalist at St. Michaels College, the University of Toronto and the Gold Medalist at the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario. He has received honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario (1984), York University
(1984), Dalhousie University
(1985), and Carleton University
(1987).
In 1981 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
and was promoted to Companion in 1997.
In 1953, he married Geraldine Margaret Keller of Kitchener, Ontario (deceased). They have four children Stephen, David, Robert and Catherine.
He joined the public service of Canada in 1953. He was posted to São Paulo, Brazil, Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California as a Canadian Government Trade Commissioner. On return to Ottawa in 1960, he served consecutively as Assistant Director, Personnel, Assistant Director, Planning and Executive Director of the Canadian Government Trade Commissioner Service
. In 1968, he was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the newly formed Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. In 1970, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Board in charge of the Program branch. From 1972 to 1973 he was Deputy Minister of the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. From 1973 to 1976 he was Deputy Minister of the Treasury Board. From 1976 to 1978 he was Deputy Minister of the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce. In 1978 he was appointed Secretary, Minister of State for Economic Development. In 1982 he was Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs. From 1982 to 1985 he was the Clerk of the Privy Council
and Secretary to the Cabinet. As such, he served three Prime Ministers, namely, the Right Honourables Pierre Elliott Trudeau, John Turner, and Brian Mulroney.
In 1986, he joined the faculty of the Ivey School of Business and in 1995 he was appointed as a Professor Emeritus.
In 1981, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service. In 1990, he received the Vanier Medal from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada in recognition of outstanding contribution in the field of public administration. In 1977, he was awarded the Queen's 25th Anniversary Medal. In 1992, he was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation and in 2002, he was awarded The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal
He has been a director of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., National Film Board of Canada, Export Development Corporation, Federal Business Development Bank, DeHavilland Aircraft Co.,International Development Research Center, The Molson's Co. Ltd., Canada Packers Co. Ltd., DuPont Canada Ltd., Rockwell International Canada, National Bank of Canada, Bell Canada, London Medical Association, Bow Valley Energy Corp., Ellis-Don Ltd., Life Imaging Systems Inc., Great West Lifeco Inc., London Life Insurance Co., Canada Life Insurance Co., and Honorary Director of "Let's Talk Science".
He is the author of Keeping Deputy Ministers Accountable(1988) and Organizing to Govern(1992).
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...
civil servant.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, he received a Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Commerce
A Bachelor of Commerce is an undergraduate degree in commerce and related subjects. The degree is also known as the Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, or BCA...
from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1952 and a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
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...
in 1953. He was the Gold Medalist at St. Michaels College, the University of Toronto and the Gold Medalist at the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario. He has received honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario (1984), York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
(1984), Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
(1985), and Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
(1987).
In 1981 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
and was promoted to Companion in 1997.
In 1953, he married Geraldine Margaret Keller of Kitchener, Ontario (deceased). They have four children Stephen, David, Robert and Catherine.
He joined the public service of Canada in 1953. He was posted to São Paulo, Brazil, Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California as a Canadian Government Trade Commissioner. On return to Ottawa in 1960, he served consecutively as Assistant Director, Personnel, Assistant Director, Planning and Executive Director of the Canadian Government Trade Commissioner Service
Trade Commissioner Service
Part of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the is a network of more than 1000 trade professionals working in Canadian embassies, high commissions, and consulates located in 150 cities around the world and 18 regional offices across Canada.-Role:...
. In 1968, he was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the newly formed Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. In 1970, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Board in charge of the Program branch. From 1972 to 1973 he was Deputy Minister of the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. From 1973 to 1976 he was Deputy Minister of the Treasury Board. From 1976 to 1978 he was Deputy Minister of the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce. In 1978 he was appointed Secretary, Minister of State for Economic Development. In 1982 he was Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs. From 1982 to 1985 he was the Clerk of the Privy Council
Clerk of the Privy Council
Clerk of the Privy Council can refer to:*Clerk of the Privy Council *Clerk of the Privy Council...
and Secretary to the Cabinet. As such, he served three Prime Ministers, namely, the Right Honourables Pierre Elliott Trudeau, John Turner, and Brian Mulroney.
In 1986, he joined the faculty of the Ivey School of Business and in 1995 he was appointed as a Professor Emeritus.
In 1981, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service. In 1990, he received the Vanier Medal from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada in recognition of outstanding contribution in the field of public administration. In 1977, he was awarded the Queen's 25th Anniversary Medal. In 1992, he was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation and in 2002, he was awarded The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal
He has been a director of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., National Film Board of Canada, Export Development Corporation, Federal Business Development Bank, DeHavilland Aircraft Co.,International Development Research Center, The Molson's Co. Ltd., Canada Packers Co. Ltd., DuPont Canada Ltd., Rockwell International Canada, National Bank of Canada, Bell Canada, London Medical Association, Bow Valley Energy Corp., Ellis-Don Ltd., Life Imaging Systems Inc., Great West Lifeco Inc., London Life Insurance Co., Canada Life Insurance Co., and Honorary Director of "Let's Talk Science".
He is the author of Keeping Deputy Ministers Accountable(1988) and Organizing to Govern(1992).