Ron Gray

For the association footballer, see Ron Gray (footballer). For the convicted serial murderer, see Ronald A. Gray

Ronald O. Gray
Leader of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada
In office August 2, 1995 – November 2008
Preceded by	Jean Blaquière
Succeeded by	Jim Hnatiuk
Personal details
Political party	Christian Heritage
Religion	Christian

Ronald "Ron" O. Gray is a minor Canadian federal politician. He was the leader of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada (CHP) from 1995 to 2008.

Early life

Born and educated in British Columbia, Gray has worked in journalism, public relations, and the federal public service.

He began his career at the The Vancouver Sun newspaper, and has also worked at community newspapers in BC and in Suva, Fiji; and the BC Report magazine. He was a public information officer for a major public utility in BC, and for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

He was a Trade and Commerce Officer attached to the Canadian Consulate in Cleveland, Ohio. He later managed store-front Federal government public information services in Winnipeg and Vancouver. He became Public Information Officer for one of BC's first community colleges, and later served 10 years in a similar capacity at Trinity Western University, an evangelical university.

He and his wife, Janet, have raised nine children, including adopted, step- and foster-children, and have 15 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Political career

First election

In the 1988 federal election, Gray ran in his first election under the Christian Heritage Party banner in the electoral district of Fraser Valley East. On election night, he placed fourth out of six candidates with over eight percent of the popular vote, finishing well behind Progressive Conservative incumbent Ross Belsher.

Gray has since run for the CHP in every general election, with the exception of 1993. He has also contested four byelections, including one in Calgary Southwest against Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper, who later was elected to serve as prime minister of Canada. In a 1999 byelection, he finished one vote ahead of the Reform Party candidate in the Quebec riding of Hull—Aylmer.

Leadership

Gray became the party leader in 1995. His leadership was confirmed at three subsequent CHP conventions, most recently in 2005. He stepped down in November 2008.

Near the end of 2006, a human rights complaint was filed against Ron Gray alleging communication via the Internet, messages likely to expose homosexuals to hatred or contempt. As of Oct. 24, 2008, the complaint has been dropped and the file closed by the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Electoral record

Election	Division	Party	Votes	%	Place	Winner
1988 federal	Fraser Valley East, B.C.	CHP	3,560	8.3%	4/6	Ross Belsher, Prog. Cons.
March 1996 byelection	Etobicoke North, Ont.	CHP	284	1.1%	5/7	Roy Cullen, Liberal
November 1999 byelection	Hull--Aylmer, Que.	CHP	176	1.0%	6/9	Marcel Proulx, Liberal
2000 federal	Hull--Aylmer, Que.	CHP	184	0.4%	8/10	Marcel Proulx, Liberal
May 2002 byelection	Calgary Southwest, Alb.	CHP	320	1.7%	5/5	Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance
May 2003 byelection	Perth-Middlesex, Ont.	CHP	902	2.9%	5/5	Gary Schellenberger, Prog. Cons.
2004 federal	Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, B.C.	CHP	1,147	2.6%	5/7	Chuck Strahl, Conservative
2006 federal	Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, B.C.	CHP	935	1.95%	5/6	Chuck Strahl, Conservative
2008 federal	Langley, B.C.	CHP	614	1.2%	5/5	Mark Warawa, Conservative

See also

• Canadian federal election, 2008

External links

• Christian Heritage Party homepage