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Edward Leslie Gray

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Edward Leslie Gray
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
In office
October 7, 1937 – March 20, 1940
Preceded byGeorge Van Allen
Succeeded byErnest Manning, John P. Page, N. B. James, David Duggan, Hugh John MacDonald
ConstituencyEdmonton
Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party
In office
1937–1940
Preceded byWilliam R. Howson
Succeeded byJames Harper Prowse
Personal details
BornApril 8, 1895
Maple Valley, Ontario, Canada
DiedJune 13, 1992(1992-06-13) (aged 97)
Political partyLiberal
Alma materOntario Agricultural College
Occupationpolitician

Edward Leslie Gray (April 8, 1895 – June 13, 1992) was a politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from Alberta, Canada.

Gray was born April 8, 1895, in Maple Valley, Ontario to Samuel Gray and Mary Taylor, both of Irish descent.[1]

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.

Gray died on June 13, 1992.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Normandin, A. L., ed. (1940). "The Canadian Parliamentary Guide". The Canadian Parliamentary Guide = Guide Parlementaire Canadien. Ottawa: Mortimer Company Ltd.: 381. ISSN 0315-6168. OCLC 893686591. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  2. ^ Carter, David J. (September 21, 1992). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Province of Alberta: Legislative Assembly of Alberta. p. 1781.
[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party
1937–1940
Succeeded by
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Preceded by MLA Edmonton
1937–1940
Succeeded by