Herb Gray

Herbert Eser Gray was the first Jewish-Canadian federal cabinet minister in history. Born in Windsor, Ontario, to immigrant parents, Gray studied law at Osgoode Hall before winning election to the House of Commons for Windsor West in 1962, holding the seat continuously for thirty-nine years and seven months through thirteen consecutive general elections.

Gray authored the landmark 1972 Gray Report on foreign investment, served as government House Leader, and served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2002 under Jean Chrétien. In 2002, upon retiring, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon him the title "The Right Honourable," normally reserved for Prime Ministers and Chief Justices. He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.