Alasdair Graham

For the Scottish concert pianist, see Alasdair Graham (pianist).

Alasdair Bernard Graham PC (May 21, 1929 – April 22, 2015) was a Canadian politician, journalist and businessman.

The Honourable Alasdair Graham PC
Leader of the Government in the Senate
In office June 11, 1997 – October 3, 1999
Prime Minister	Jean Chrétien
Deputy	Sharon Carstairs
Whip	Jacques Hébert Léonce Mercier
Preceded by	Joyce Fairbairn
Succeeded by	Bernie Boudreau
Canadian Senator from The Highlands
In office April 27, 1972 – May 21, 2004
Nominated by	Pierre Trudeau
Appointed by	Roland Michener
Preceded by	Multi-member district
Succeeded by	Jim Cowan (2005)
Personal details
Born	Alasdair Bernard Graham (1929-05-21)May 21, 1929 Dominion, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died	April 22, 2015(2015-04-22) (aged 85) Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Political party	Liberal
Alma mater	Saint Francis Xavier University
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Journalist, businessman

Political career

Graham attempted to win a seat in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1958 election from Nova Scotia, but was defeated in the attempt. On April 27, 1972, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Pierre Trudeau. Graham served as president of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1976 until 1980. In 1995, he became deputy government leader in the Senate, and was promoted to Leader of the Government in the Senate in 1997, joining the Cabinet as Nova Scotia's sole representative. The Liberals had lost all of its seats in the province in the 1997 election. He served in Cabinet until 1999 when Chrétien replaced him with Bernie Boudreau.

Retirement

Graham retired from the Senate in 2004 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75. His son, Danny Graham, served as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party from 2002 to 2004. Graham died on April 22, 2015.

Archives

There is a Alasdair B. Graham fonds at Library and Archives Canada.

External links

• Alasdair Graham – Parliament of Canada biography