Robert Henry McGregor

Robert Henry McGregor, P.C. (March 1 1886 – October 25 1965) was a long-time Canadian parliamentarian.

MacGregor was a contractor and horticulturalist by profession. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1926 federal election and sat continuously in the chamber for thirty-six years until his defeat in the 1962 federal election when he was 79 years old. [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/bio.asp?Language=E&query=16822&s=M Federal Political Experience] , Parliament of Canada website]

Originally elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for York South, he switched to the new Toronto riding of York East when it was created for the 1935 federal election. He won election a total of eight consecutive times and was Dean of the House of Commons being its longest serving member in the last years of his career. [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/speaker/speeches/speeches_4_5_e.html The Role of the Speaker of the House of Commons] , Speech by Peter Milliken at the University Club of Toronto October 25, 2001. (Accessed February 17, 2007)]

Despite his long tenure in the House of Commons he spoke rarely and was nicknamed "Silent Bob" McGregor. When being feted in the House on his 74th birthday he remarked "If a good many hon. Members made fewer speeches in the House, they would be here longer."

Though never a member of Cabinet, he was elevated to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada on December 21, 1960 on Diefenbaker's recommendation in recognition of McGregor's long tenure of service.

McGregor was Dean of the House of Commons at the end of the career having sat in the chamber continuously for 36 years by the time his parliamentary career ended.

References

s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for York South
years=1926–1935s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for York East
years=1935–1962