Lowell Murray
Encyclopedia
Lowell Murray, PC
(born September 26, 1936) is a former Canadian senator
and long-time activist with the federal Progressive Conservative Party
.
in 1955. He met 16-year-old Brian Mulroney
there; the two became close friends and associates in the PC Party. He later earned an MPA
from Queen's University
.
Joe Clark
in 1979. In 1986, Prime Minister Mulroney appointed Murray to the Cabinet
as Leader of the Government in the Senate, and variously as Minister of State for Federal-Provincial Relations (until April 21, 1991), Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(June 1987 to September 1988), and Acting Minister of Communications (December 1988 to January 30, 1989). Murray served as Government Leader in the Senate until the defeat of the government of Prime Minister Kim Campbell
in 1993.
In 2003, Murray joined with Clark to oppose the merger of the Progressive Conservative Party
with the Canadian Alliance
to form the Conservative Party of Canada
. When the new party was created, he refused to join the new Conservative caucus
, and, until his retirement remained one of two senators (the other being Elaine McCoy
) to sit as "Progressive Conservatives" even though the federal Progressive Conservative Party has been formally dissolved.
Murray was the last senator appointed on the advice of Prime Minister Clark to sit in the Senate. He was the longest-serving member of the body upon his mandatory retirement from the Senate on September 26, 2011, when he attained the age of 75.
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,...
(born September 26, 1936) is a former Canadian senator
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
and long-time activist with the federal Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
.
Education
Murray graduated from St. Francis Xavier UniversitySt. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
in 1955. He met 16-year-old Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
there; the two became close friends and associates in the PC Party. He later earned an MPA
Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration is a professional post-graduate degree in Public Administration. The MPA program prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state/provincial, and federal/national government, and increasingly in nongovernmental organization and...
from Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
.
Appointment to the Senate
He was appointed to the Senate on the recommendation of Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
in 1979. In 1986, Prime Minister Mulroney appointed Murray to the Cabinet
Cabinet of Canada
The Cabinet of Canada is a body of ministers of the Crown that, along with the Canadian monarch, and within the tenets of the Westminster system, forms the government of Canada...
as Leader of the Government in the Senate, and variously as Minister of State for Federal-Provincial Relations (until April 21, 1991), Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is the Canadian federal government agency responsible for helping to build economic capacity in the Atlantic Provinces by working with the people of the region – in their communities, through their institutions and with their local and provincial governments...
(June 1987 to September 1988), and Acting Minister of Communications (December 1988 to January 30, 1989). Murray served as Government Leader in the Senate until the defeat of the government of Prime Minister Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell
Avril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993...
in 1993.
In 2003, Murray joined with Clark to oppose the merger of the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
with the Canadian Alliance
Canadian Alliance
The Canadian Alliance , formally the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance , was a Canadian conservative political party that existed from 2000 to 2003. The party was the successor to the Reform Party of Canada and inherited its position as the Official Opposition in the House of Commons and held...
to form the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
. When the new party was created, he refused to join the new Conservative caucus
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...
, and, until his retirement remained one of two senators (the other being Elaine McCoy
Elaine McCoy
Elaine McCoy, QC, BA, LL.B is a Canadian senator from Alberta. She has been the last remaining member of the Canadian Senate to sit as a Progressive Conservative since the retirement of Senator Lowell Murray on September 26, 2011.-Senate of Canada:Senator McCoy was appointed to the Senate by...
) to sit as "Progressive Conservatives" even though the federal Progressive Conservative Party has been formally dissolved.
Murray was the last senator appointed on the advice of Prime Minister Clark to sit in the Senate. He was the longest-serving member of the body upon his mandatory retirement from the Senate on September 26, 2011, when he attained the age of 75.