Lowell Murray

Background

Murray, Lowell was born on September 26, 1936 in New Waterford, Nova Scoti, Canada. Son of Daniel and Evelyn (Young) Murray.

Education

Murray graduated from Saint Francis Xavier University in 1955. He met 16-year-old Brian Mulroney there. The two became close friends and associates in the Personal Computer Party.

He later earned an Master of Public Administration from Queen"s University.

In 1961, he became an assistant to federal justice minister Davie Fulton.

Later, he served as chief of staff to Progressive Conservative leader Robert Stanfield and then was New Brunswick premier Richard Hatfield"s senior advisor.

Career

He was appointed to the Senate on the recommendation of Prime Minister 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 21 April 1991), Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (June 1987 to September 1988), and Acting Minister of Communications (December 1988 to 30 January 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.

Achievements

• Lowell Murray has been listed as a noteworthy Canadian senator by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

National campaign chairman general election Progressive Conservative Party Canada, 1977-1979, 81-83. Sworn of the privy county, appointed Leader of the Government in the Senate, 1986-1993. Min. of the State Federal-Provincial Rels.,1986-1991.

Min. Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 1987-1988. Acting Min. Communications, 1988-1989.

Connections

Married Colleen Elaine MacDonald. Children: William, Colin.

Father:

Daniel Murray

Mother:

Evelyn (Young) Murray

Spouse:

Colleen Elaine MacDonald

child:

Colin Murray

child:

William Murray