Edward Leslie Gray | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta | |
| In office October 7, 1937 – March 20, 1940 | |
| Preceded by | George Van Allen |
| Succeeded by | Ernest Manning, John P. Page, N. B. James, David Duggan, Hugh John MacDonald |
| Constituency | Edmonton |
| Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party | |
| In office 1937–1940 | |
| Preceded by | William R. Howson |
| Succeeded by | James Harper Prowse |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 8, 1895 Maple Valley, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | June 13, 1992 (aged 97) |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Alma mater | Ontario Agricultural College |
| Occupation | politician |
Edward Leslie Gray (April 8, 1895 – June 13, 1992) was a politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from Alberta, Canada.
Gray was born April 8, 1895, in Maple Valley, Ontario to Samuel Gray and Mary Taylor, both of Irish descent.[1]
Gray was elected in a by-election in the Edmonton after the death of George Van Allen. He also became the Alberta Liberal Party leader in 1937. The by-election was considered the first test of strength for the Alberta Social Credit Party government.
Gray's election marked the beginning of the Unity Movement, despite running under the Liberal banner he was elected with the popular support of Conservatives. He defeated 2 time Edmonton Mayor Joseph Clarke, who ran as a People's Candidate backed by Social Credit, and Communist Leader Jan Lakeman.
Gray served as Alberta Liberal Party leader until 1940, strongly favouring a coalition arrangement with the Conservatives and some former United Farmers of Alberta members against Social Credit. The coalition ran under the name of the Independent Citizens' Association. He ran in Bow Valley in the 1940 Alberta election, but was defeated.
Gray died on June 13, 1992.[2]