175 Facts About Gary Doer

Gary Albert Doer was born on 31 March 1948 and is a former Canadian politician and diplomat from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Gary Doer served as Canada's ambassador to the United States from 19 October 2009, to 3 March 2016.

Since the end of his term as envoy to Washington, Gary Doer has taken up a position as senior business advisor with the global law firm Dentons and was retained by the government of Alberta to lobby the Trump administration on the softwood lumber dispute.

Gary Doer was born to a middle class family in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Gary Doer graduated from St Paul's High School and went on to study political science and sociology at the University of Manitoba for one year where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, but left to become a corrections officer at the Vaughan Street Detention Centre.

Gary Doer later rose to become deputy superintendent of the Manitoba Youth Centre.

Gary Doer became president of the Manitoba Government Employees' Association in 1979, and served in this capacity until 1986.

Gary Doer held prominent positions with the Manitoba Federation of Labour and the National Union of Public and General Employees, served as a director of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and became a governor of the University of Manitoba.

Gary Doer first joined the New Democratic Party in the 1970s, and worked for the party in the 1973 provincial election.

Gary Doer discontinued his membership in 1975 to preserve the neutrality of his union, and was later courted by both the New Democrats and Progressive Conservatives to run for public office.

Gary Doer rejoined the NDP in 1986, and was a candidate in that year's provincial election.

Gary Doer was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the 1986 provincial election for the northeast Winnipeg division of Concordia.

Gary Doer joined the government of Premier Howard Pawley on 17 April 1986, as Minister of Urban Affairs, and was given additional responsibilities as Minister responsible for the Manitoba Telephone System on 2 December of the same year.

Gary Doer ordered a Royal Canadian Mounted Police probe of the MTS soon after his appointment, and worked to reform its practices following a failed investment in Saudi Arabia.

Gary Doer soon developed a reputation as a "fixer", working as a trouble-shooter in difficult fields.

Gary Doer was given further responsibilities as Minister of Crown Investments on 5 February 1987, and was later named as Minister responsible for the Accountability of Crown Corporations and Minister responsible for the Liquor Control Act.

Gary Doer was the first declared candidate in the Manitoba New Democratic Party's 1988 leadership contest.

Gary Doer was supported by cabinet ministers Vic Schroeder, Myrna Phillips, Muriel Smith, Leonard Evans, Jerry Storie and Wilson Parasiuk, and by federal Members of Parliament Rod Murphy and David Orlikow.

Gary Doer received an endorsement from the Manitoba Federation of Labour.

Gary Doer emphasized his experience in managing large organizations, and called for pay equity legislation to be introduced within a year of his election.

Gary Doer narrowly defeated rival candidate Len Harapiak on the third ballot of the party's leadership convention in Winnipeg.

Gary Doer was not sworn in as premier, as the legislature had already been dissolved.

Gary Doer became leader of the Manitoba NDP when the party was at a low ebb of popularity.

Many believed Gary Doer was their best hope for a recovery.

Gary Doer promised a $58 million tax cut, and opposed the federal government's free trade deal with the United States of America.

Gary Doer indicated that he was open to the possibility of amending the Meech Lake Accord, a federal proposal for constitutional reform.

Gary Doer promised to build more community health centres, and supported home renovations for senior citizens and the disabled.

The NDP won 12 out of 57 seats, while the Progressive Conservatives under Gary Doer Filmon won 25 seats and the Liberals under Sharon Carstairs jumped from one seat to twenty.

Gary Doer rejected the possibility of forming a coalition government with the Liberals.

Gary Doer was not personally blamed for his party's loss, and continued as party leader.

The NDP chose not to defeat Filmon's government during confidence votes in late 1988 and early 1989, as Gary Doer argued the public would not support another election for a legislature less than a year old.

The provincial Liberals initially opposed the accord, which meant that Gary Doer's support was necessary for its passage.

In November 1988, Gary Doer indicated that his party would not support the accord unless certain amendments were introduced.

Gary Doer was later appointed to a provincial panel that held a series of public meetings, and recommended significant changes to the deal.

Gary Doer described Harper's decision as "a fundamental issue of conscience", and blamed Prime Minister Brian Mulroney for delaying negotiations until the deadline had almost expired.

Gary Doer promised a ten-year freeze on personal income taxes, and argued that the Progressive Conservatives would pursue a hidden right-wing agenda if they won a majority government.

Gary Doer promised legislation that would make it more difficult for companies based in Manitoba to close down.

Gary Doer succeeded Carstairs as Leader of the Opposition in the legislature.

Gary Doer criticized the Filmon government's cutbacks to health and education, and drew attention to the province's rising unemployment and child poverty rates in the early 1990s.

Gary Doer announced in late 1992 that his caucus would support the Charlottetown Accord, a comprehensive package on constitutional reform that was introduced by the federal government after the failure of Meech Lake.

Gary Doer released an election platform in November 1994, highlighted by a ten-point preventive health-care program for children and a six-point Manitoba Works plan to reduce unemployment.

Gary Doer focused on health issues in the 1995 provincial election.

Gary Doer promised that he would replace walk-in clinics with neighbourhood health organizations, to be staffed with salaried doctors, nurses, midwives and social workers.

Gary Doer pledged to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to reduce prescription drug costs, and to review some of the hundreds of drugs that had been delisted in recent years.

Gary Doer promised to create a new group of health providers called nurse practitioners, to carry out some doctors' responsibilities.

On economic issues, Gary Doer promised a balanced budget with no personal or sales tax increases over four years and indicated that he would cut nearly $119 million from government programs to fund health, education, and job creation.

Gary Doer called for an inquiry, which the Filmon government granted; the presiding officer determined that at least one of the candidates had been illegally induced to run to by local agents of the Progressive Conservative Party.

Gary Doer argued that the cuts were ideological in nature, and not based on financial necessity.

Gary Doer suggested that corporate shareholders should be allowed to opt out of party donations.

Gary Doer opposed the Filmon government's decision to privatize the Manitoba Telephone System in 1996, arguing that it would cause Manitobans to lose control over a vital part of their economy.

Gary Doer nonetheless accepted the finality of the sale, telling party delegates in 1999 that buying back the service would be too expensive and carry too many risks.

Gary Doer opposed the Filmon government's proposal to water-down the single-desk marketing powers of the Canadian Wheat Board.

Gary Doer argued there could be no "middle-of-the-road" position on the Wheat Board, adding that continued single-desk marketing would be "in the economic interests of producers and the economic interests of Winnipeg".

Gary Doer again emphasized health care as a priority, and said that his government would stop the practice of using public monies for politically motivated polls and advertisements.

Gary Doer expressed concern that the Progressive Conservatives could privatize Manitoba Hydro, and criticized a provincial workfare initiative as giving too much discretionary power to government overseers.

Gary Doer added that, if elected, his party would replace Filmon's budgeted income tax cut with a property tax cut.

Gary Doer pledged $13 million to shorten health-care waiting times in the 1999 campaign, and promised if he was elected he would end hallway in six months.

Gary Doer pledged an additional $2 million to hire more nurses and provide incentives for rural doctors.

Gary Doer criticized the Filmon government's handling of a contract with Urban Shared Services Corp.

Gary Doer brought forward a five point re-election plan highlighted by promises to reduce property and income taxes, hire more nurses and doctors and make reductions in medical waiting lists, take a cautious approach to managing the economy, and improve the province's education and law enforcement systems.

Four years later, Gary Doer called an election for May 2007.

Gary Doer promised to hire 700 nurses and nurse practitioners, 100 new police officers, 20 new crown prosecutors, and 20 new workplace safety inspectors.

Gary Doer promised to improve Manitoba's record on vehicle emissions, provide tax credits for caregivers, and phase out the provincial small business tax over three years.

Gary Doer retired in 2003, and Doer chose Rosann Wowchuk as her replacement.

The Gary Doer government has introduced an uninterrupted succession of balanced budgets since its first election in 1999.

At the Manitoba NDP's March 2009 convention, Gary Doer announced that Manitoba would continue its commitment to education, training and research despite a global economic downturn and a slowing economy.

Gary Doer argued that the province was still recovering from the Filmon government's spending cuts during the economic downtown of the 1990s, and that his policies would allow Manitoba to emerge from the recession in a strong, competitive position.

Gary Doer's government introduced a balanced budget with economic stimulus programs a few weeks later, even as the global recession forced other provincial governments across Canada into deficit.

Gary Doer encouraged the Bank of Canada to lower its rates in late 2003, saying that the rising strength of the Canadian dollar in relation to the United States dollar was causing increased unemployment.

Gary Doer later criticized Bank Governor David Dodge for doing nothing to save Canadian jobs and profits.

Gary Doer recommended that Manitoba adopt a system of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Gary Doer has frequently argued in favour of Canada's public health system.

Gary Doer criticized Alberta's plan to introduce more private health provisions in 2002, and defended the public system as efficient and less expensive.

At a presentation before the Romanow Commission in 2002, Gary Doer called for the federal government to double its health care commitment.

Gary Doer emerged as a defender of Manitoba's burgeoning internet pharmaceutical industry in the mid-2000s.

In 2004, Gary Doer accused federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh of capitulating to American interests by agreeing to increased restrictions on the industry.

Gary Doer later argued that the Canadian government could protect its national drug supply and maintain Manitoba's pharmaceutical sector simply by banning bulk exports.

Gary Doer's government introduced a landmark anti-smoking bill in 2004, banning smoking in all indoor public places and workplaces across the province.

Gary Doer welcomed Prime Minister Paul Martin's decision to name Winnipeg as the site of Canada's new public health agency in 2004.

The Gary Doer government passed a bill granting full adoption rights to gay and lesbian couples in 2002.

Gary Doer criticized this, arguing that provincial employees should not be permitted to discriminate.

Gary Doer initially declined to express his personal views on the subject, but announced in late 2004 that he supported same-sex marriage as a human right.

Unlike some within the NDP, Gary Doer is personally opposed to the decriminalization of marijuana, which he has said could result in economic difficulties with the United States.

Shortly after being sworn in as premier, Gary Doer led an all-party delegation to Ottawa to seek a $1.3 billion financial bailout for western farmers to help mitigate an economic downturn in the sector.

Gary Doer was joined by Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow, Progressive Conservative MLA Larry Maguire, and Manitoba Liberal leader Jon Gerrard.

In February 2000, Romanow and Gary Doer stood with Chretien to announce their support for a compromise bailout of $400 million.

Shortly after his re-election in 2003, Gary Doer criticized the federal government for failing to respond to an agriculture crisis caused by the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a Canadian cow and the subsequent closure of the American border to beef products produced in Canada.

In late 2006, Gary Doer accused federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl of interfering in the Wheat Board's elections.

The Gary Doer government has rejected a return to single-desk hog marketing, which was eliminated during the years of the Filmon government.

The Gary Doer government introduced a temporary ban on new hog farms throughout most of the province in March 2008, following the release of a provincial environmental report.

Around the same time, Gary Doer announced new funding for waste-water treatment plants that would allow two existing hog-processing plants to expand their operations.

Gary Doer is a vocal opponent of the American Country of Origin Labelling initiative, which would require American producers to separate meat from hogs slaughtered in Canada and increase packing and labelling cost.

Gary Doer opposed the Chretien government's decision to implement a federal gun registry, and his government joined with other provinces to raise a constitutional challenge against the law in 2000.

Gary Doer called for the federal government to strengthen its laws against child pornography in 2002, after the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled that John Robin Sharpe's fictional writings involving children met the legal definition of "artistic merit".

Gary Doer was quoted as saying, "We believe that the rights of children should be superior rights in our country to the rights of perverts".

Also in 2002, Gary Doer argued that persons who kill police officers should spend the rest of their natural lives in jail, without access to Canada's so-called "Faint Hope Clause" for early release.

In 2007, Gary Doer led an all-party task force to Ottawa to seek greater federal penalties for gang-related crime, youth offences and car theft.

In 2004, the Gary Doer government increased funding for the hiring of police officers and Crown prosecutors.

Gary Doer announced the creation of an all-party task force on security following the attacks of 11 September 2001.

Gary Doer's government tabled legislation in 2009 to provide civilian oversight of police officers in Manitoba, following an inquiry into the death of Crystal Taman.

Gary Doer was killed when her car, stopped for a red light, was struck by off-duty Winnipeg Police constable Derek Harvey-Zink's pickup truck.

Gary Doer has been a strong and consistent supporter of the Kyoto Accord on climate change.

The next year, Gary Doer legislated his province's commitment to meet its targets under the Kyoto Protocol by 2012.

Gary Doer announced that Manitoba would increase ethanol production in 2002, and held consultations on a plan requiring Manitoba drivers to use ethanol-blended gasoline.

Gary Doer signed the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord with seven American governors in November 2007.

Gary Doer later became an enthusiastic supporter of North American cap and trade programs to reduce energy emissions, while at the same time criticizing the idea of a carbon tax.

Gary Doer introduced plans to eliminate coal-burning factories in his 2008 budget.

Gary Doer called for an independent review of the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission in 2008, arguing that the renewal process for hydroelectric projects was too long.

In November 2008, Gary Doer announced that his government would ban new logging in provincial parks and phase out existing projects.

Gary Doer announced a ban on plastic shopping bags, and on the use of cellphones while driving.

In November 1999, Gary Doer appointed a two-person panel to advise his government on implementing the findings of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, which had been published eight years earlier.

Gary Doer convened a provincial summit on aboriginal commerce in November 2004.

Gary Doer indicated that the summit was intended to showcase successful businesses, and to forge greater links between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities.

Gary Doer is a strong supporter of the Kelowna Accord signed in late 2005 by the federal government of Paul Martin, provincial premiers and aboriginal leaders.

In late 2008, the Gary Doer government introduced legislation to give sixteen bands on the east shore of Lake Winnipeg greater authority over the management of their traditional lands.

Gary Doer has often referred to hydroelectric power as playing a major role in Manitoba's long-term economic strategy, and has advocated a national east-west power grid to export Manitoba's plentiful hydroelectric power to Ontario and other provinces in Western Canada.

Gary Doer announced Manitoba's first wind farm project in November 2004, near the community of St Leon.

Hydro's initial plan had been to construct the line on the east side, but Gary Doer's government rejected this approach, arguing that it would damage pristine boreal forest territories.

Gary Doer asked Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba Public Utilities Board to provide an analysis of natural gas prices in July 2008, with the intent of limiting price increases during the winter.

Gary Doer indicated that his government would intervene to protect consumers from high prices.

The Gary Doer government introduced a number of labour reforms early in its first mandate, making it easier for unions to obtain certification and giving employees increased powers to move disputes to binding arbitration.

Business leaders opposed the changes, though Gary Doer argued that the bill was far less contentious than opponents made it out to be.

In 2004, Gary Doer rejected a call by party members to introduce legislation that would ban replacement workers in labour disputes.

Gary Doer's government increased Manitoba's minimum wage from $6.00 to $6.25 in November 2000, and brought in subsequent increases of 25 cents on an annual basis.

In 2005, the Gary Doer government introduced a bill to expand provincial workers' compensation coverage.

The Gary Doer government announced in late 2007 that temporary foreign workers and modeling agencies would be included under the Employment Standards Act, to prevent worker exploitation.

In 2005, Gary Doer announced a deal to allow Monsanto to build their 42,000 square foot Canadian head office in Manitoba.

Gary Doer's government introduced a biotechnology training strategy in October 2002, to address a skilled-worker shortage in the industry.

In early 2003, Gary Doer signed a $160 million deal with the federal government for expansion work on the Red River Floodway.

Gary Doer was skeptical about Asper's initial plan for a stadium in the Polo Park region of Winnipeg, and was more supportive of an abortive plan to construct the stadium in the economically depressed area of Point Douglas.

Gary Doer announced in February 2009 that his government would spend $1 million on special training for northern Manitoba workers, following a global economic downtown that adversely affected the province's forestry and mining sectors.

The Gary Doer government was accused of having ignored signs of trouble at the fund, and of failing to protect the interests of investors.

Gary Doer rejected this charge, observing that the fund had been established by the Filmon government in conjunction with labour leaders.

Gary Doer rejected calls from the opposition for a formal inquiry, and insisted that the province did nothing wrong in the matter.

Gary Doer supported the Chretien government's Clarity Act legislation, which required that any future negotiations on provincial secession be preceded by a referendum with a clearly defined question.

In 2004, Gary Doer criticized new Prime Minister Paul Martin for seeming to undermine the principles of the bill.

Gary Doer criticized Martin's promise to remove the "Notwithstanding Clause" from the Constitution of Canada in the 2006 federal election.

Gary Doer later criticized Martin's successor, Stephen Harper, for recognizing the Quebecois as a nation within Canada in late 2006.

In early 2007, Gary Doer said that Manitoba would not enter a free trade deal signed between Alberta and British Columbia.

Gary Doer met with other western Canadian premiers in June 2009 to introduce a plan for the collective purchase of prescription drugs.

Gary Doer did not take a position on the coalition, and instead called for all parties in the House of Commons of Canada to work in a cooperative manner.

Gary Doer initially described this agreement as a significant improvement over prior arrangements, but later criticized the North Dakota government for starting the water diversion before the deal was finalized.

In May 2009, Gary Doer said that Manitoba would invest more than $10 million in drainage improvements if North Dakota would agree to construct a permanent filter on its Devils Lake output.

Gary Doer has led several international trade delegations from Manitoba, including visits to Russia, Germany, Israel, India, China and The Philippines.

Gary Doer made an historic visit to Iceland in August 2001; Manitoba has a large Icelandic population, and Doer was the first Manitoba Premier to make an official visit to the country.

Gary Doer signed an agreement with the American state of Georgia in 2004, for increased co-operation between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and the National Virology Lab in Winnipeg.

In June 2009, Gary Doer took part in discussions to create a "Western Energy Corridor" to allow an easier flow of both renewable energy and fossil fuels among western American states and Canadian provinces.

Gary Doer has supported Canada's military mission in Afghanistan, despite skepticism about the purpose of the mission from the federal NDP.

Gary Doer called for Canada to ban donations to Hezbollah's charity wing in 2002, and endorsed Jean Chretien government's decision to remain out of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Gary Doer argued that the new expense of travel would create a "financial Berlin Wall" for some families, and instead proposed a security protocol centred around drivers' licenses.

In 2007, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven announced that he was working with Gary Doer to find an alternative approach.

In 2008, Gary Doer argued that Canada should "aggressively" defend the North American Free Trade Agreement against criticism from American Democratic Party presidential candidates.

Gary Doer later spoke against the United States Congress's planned "Buy American" legislation during a business trip to Illinois and Texas.

Gary Doer signed an agreement in Manila in February 2008, to permit an easier flow of immigration from The Philippines to Manitoba.

Gary Doer's government changed the rules of the legislature in 1999, to allow the Speaker of the Assembly to be elected by a secret ballot vote of all members.

The Gary Doer government announced election spending reforms in June 2000, which were highlighted by a ban on political donations by private corporations and organized labour.

The Gary Doer government introduced legislation in April 2006 to prevent MLAs from crossing the floor from one party to another.

Gary Doer announced plans in early 2008 to create a lobbyist registry for Manitoba, as well as introducing fixed election dates, partial public campaign financing, and restrictions on partisan direct mail flyers sent out by MLAs at public expense.

In 2009, opposition politicians and some journalists pressured Gary Doer to call a public inquiry into a controversy involving expense claims from the 1999 provincial election.

Gary Doer has argued that the matter is settled, and that there is no need for an inquiry.

Gary Doer's government enjoyed an extended honeymoon with voters after the 1999 election.

On 27 August 2009, Gary Doer announced he would not seek re-election in the 2011 election, and on 28 August 2009, he was nominated by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to succeed Michael Wilson as Canadian ambassador to the United States.

Gary Doer was formally sworn into that position on 19 October 2009, and on the same day Greg Selinger was sworn in as his replacement as Premier of Manitoba.

Gary Doer supported a bid to draft former Manitoba Premier Edward Schreyer as a candidate in the federal New Democratic Party's 1989 leadership contest.

When Schreyer declined to run, Gary Doer tried to convince Stephen Lewis and then Bob Rae to enter the contest, without success.

Gary Doer eventually supported Audrey McLaughlin, who was elected on the fourth ballot of the party's leadership convention.

Gary Doer declined, and instead gave his support to longtime friend Alexa McDonough, whom he nominated at the leadership convention.

Gary Doer has disagreed with the federal NDP on some issues.

Gary Doer defended CanWest Global's takeover of a part of Conrad Black's newspaper empire in 2000, even though the arrangement had been criticized by the federal party.

Gary Doer later called for Svend Robinson to be demoted as Foreign Affairs Critic in 2002, after Robinson announced his support for the Palestinians in their conflict with Israel.

Gary Doer later expressed disappointment that Robinson was allowed to keep his critic's role, albeit with a ban against speaking on Middle East issues.

Gary Doer published a ten-point proposal for the future of the federal NDP in June 2002, calling for a focus on health and education as well as fiscal balance, community safety and election finance reform.

Gary Doer was considered a possible candidate for the 2012 leadership election, but declined to run.

Gary Doer endorsed Tony Blair's approach to leading the British Labour Party in 1997, and his own 1999 election platform was frequently compared with Blair's "Third Way" of social democracy.

Gary Doer has been compared with former Premier of Saskatchewan Roy Romanow, who governed from the centre of the party.