8 January 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that former Member of Parliament and Senator Leonard Gustafson has been appointed to the Privy Council.
“I am pleased to appoint Len Gustafson as a Privy Councillor to recognize his many years of service to the country,” said the Prime Minister. “He has served Canada with dedication.”
Born in 1933, Leonard Gustafson has had a long and outstanding career in public life. He served as the Member of Parliament for Assiniboia (later Souris-Moose Mountain), Saskatchewan, from 1979 to 1993, and was successful in four consecutive general elections. From 1984 to 1991 Gustafson was Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. He was called to the Senate in 1993, and served there until his retirement, November 10, 2008.
Biographical notes attached.
Hon. Leonard J. Gustafson
Len Gustafson’s passion for agriculture made him a leading champion on agricultural issues on Parliament Hill for almost 30 years. Born in Macoun, Saskatchewan in 1933, Mr. Gustafson was a farmer and businessman before entering public life.
Mr. Gustafson was first elected to the House of Commons in 1979, as the Progressive Conservative MP for the Assiniboia riding in Saskatchewan. He was re-elected there in 1980 and 1984 and in the Souris-Moose Mountain riding in 1988. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister from 1984 to 1991 and worked on many legislative committees.
He was called to the Senate on May 26, 1993. In the Senate he served as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. His committee work covered a broad range of topics including Aboriginal Peoples, Banking, Constructional Affairs, Fisheries, Foreign Affairs and Transportation.
Mr. Gustafson is married to Alice (Snider) and has four children. His interests include church activities and curling.
