George Hees

The Honourable George Harris Hees, PC , OC (June 17 1910 - June 11 1996) was a Canadian politician. Born in Toronto to a patrician family, Hees earned a playboy image during his youth, but then became a stalwart member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. He was educated at the exclusive Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario, the Royal Military College, the University of Toronto, and Cambridge University. He became a noted athlete, winning the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts Canadian football team. He went to Europe to fight in World War II, where he was wounded by a sniper.

Related Topics:
The Honourable - PC - OC - June 17 - 1910 - June 11 - 1996 - Canadian - Politician - Toronto - Progressive Conservative Party of Canada - Port Hope, Ontario - Royal Military College - University of Toronto - Cambridge University - Grey Cup - Toronto Argonauts - Canadian football - World War II

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After a failed attempt to win election to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1945 federal election, he won election in 1950. After the election of the Diefenbaker government, Hees was named Minister of Transport in 1957. In 1960, he was appointed Minister of Trade and Commerce. During this period, Hees was regarded as the second most powerful man in the Tory party. However, in 1963, he had falling out with Diefenbaker, and became embroiled in the Munsinger Affair and elected to sit out the 1963 election, which the Tories lost.

Related Topics:
Canadian House of Commons - 1945 federal election - 1950 - Diefenbaker - Minister of Transport - 1957 - 1960 - Minister of Trade and Commerce - 1963 - Munsinger Affair - 1963 election

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After considering a defection to the Liberals, he returned to Parliament in the 1965 election as a PC, and remained in opposition for many years.

Related Topics:
Liberals - 1965 election

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He ran for the leadership of the PC Party at its 1967 leadership convention, and placed fourth in a field of eleven on the first ballot. The convention was won by Robert Stanfield.

Related Topics:
1967 leadership convention - Robert Stanfield

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Brian Mulroney lead the party to a majority government in 1984, Hees was named Minister of Veterans Affairs. Hees retired from politics in 1988. In 1989 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Related Topics:
Brian Mulroney - 1984 - Minister of Veterans Affairs - 1988 - Order of Canada

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~