Jon Gerrard (born October 13, 1947) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1993 to 1997, and was a secretary of state in the government of Jean Chrétien. He was the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party from 1998 until 2013, and the member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for River Heights from 1999 until his defeat in 2023.
Early life and private career Gerrard was born in Birmingham, England, and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Saskatchewan (1967), a Doctor of Medicine degree from McGill University (1971), a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Minnesota (1976), and a Certificate in Pediatrics from the American Academy of Pediatrics (1976).David Kuxhaus, "Grits pick Gerrard as their saviour", Winnipeg Free Press, 18 October 1998, A1. He worked at several prominent American institutions in the 1970s, and returned to Canada in 1980 to accept a position as pediatrician at the Winnipeg Children's Hospital.Girard, p. 169. Gerrard served as head of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at this hospital from 1985 to 1992, and taught at the University of Manitoba from 1980 to 1993.William Neville, "A voice in the Grit wilderness", Winnipeg Free Press, 7 August 1998, A10. He has authored or co-authored over 200 scientific publications, and became known during the 1980s as an expert on the research and treatment of cancer in children.Joan Bryden, "Chrétien revives politics of joy", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 24 July 1993, A9."About Jon Gerrard" , Manitoba Liberal Party online document, accessed 25 July 2007. Gerrard has also been interested in bald eagles since his teenage years, and co-authored a book entitled The Bald Eagle: Haunts and Habits of a Wilderness Monarch in 1988."Researcher works to secure future of Canada's bald eagles", Toronto Star, 20 November 1988, C11. He has been studying eagles at Besnard Lake in Saskatchewan for 50 years.
Gerrard became active with the Liberal Party of Canada while working on his undergraduate degree, impressed with Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson's positions on social and international issues.Gary Girard, "Jon Gerrard: The Building Continues", in Jon Gerrard, Battling For A Better Manitoba, (Winnipeg: Heartland Associates, Inc.), 2006, p. 147. See also Alison Mayes, "Bringing the brain to bear", Winnipeg Free Press, 20 May 2007, B4. He was a delegate to the Liberal Party's 1968 leadership convention, supporting John Turner.Girard, p. 168. Gerrard believed that Turner understood the concerns of Western Canada best out of the candidates. He later volunteered for the "Non" side in the 1980 Quebec referendum, and became Liberal riding president for Lisgar in 1984. In 1990, he was Manitoba co-chair of Jean Chrétien's successful bid for the Liberal Party leadership."Agriculture a priority", Winnipeg Free Press, 5 November 1993; Daniel Lett, "Plenty of plums at Grit picnic", Winnipeg Free Press, 4 September 2002, A12; Girard, p. 171.
Government minister and federal political career Gerrard was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1993 federal election, defeating two-term Progressive Conservative incumbent Felix Holtmann in the riding of Portage—Interlake.The Liberal Party's nomination contest was closely contested among Gerrard and two other candidates. He was selected on the third ballot. See Girard, p. 175. On November 4, 1993, he was appointed as Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development. This was not a full cabinet portfolio, but was instead affiliated with Industry Canada.Alan Toulin, "Cabinet likely to impress business", Financial Post, 5 November 1993, 9. Gerrard worked closely with Industry Minister John Manley, and oversaw the development of such programs as Technology Partnerships Canada, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and the Canada Research Chairs.Girard, p. 177.
Internet and communications strategies Gerrard outlined the Chrétien government's strategy for the burgeoning information highway in February 1994, as internet use increased throughout the country. One of this strategy's goals was to "[put] Canada in cyberspace", by creating a "national network of networks" within the new media. Gerrard indicated that his plan would be targeted toward creating jobs, reinforcing Canada's cultural identity, and ensuring universal internet access at affordable rates.Jonathan Chevreau, "Ottawa to push 'open' highway", Financial Post, 3 February 1994, p. 3. He officially launched an $80 million action plan on January 30, 1995, providing funding for online applications in the fields of business, research, health care and education.Carlton Student, "$80 million paves highway to future", Winnipeg Free Press, 24 January 1995; "CANARIE launches new technology and applications development program" [press release], Canada NewsWire, 30 January 1995, 17:00. Previously, in August 1994, Gerrard had indicated an interest in developing a national system of electronic libraries. See Jim Bronskill, "Council ponders electronic libraries", Hamilton Spectator, 20 August 1994, B7. In 1997, he indicated that his government was working to make the internet available for all Canadians. See Grant Buckler, "Internet Access A Canadian Concern", Newsbytes News Network, 8 January 1997.
In March 1994, Gerrard described the internet as "very much a Liberal technology in the sense that it is much more individual than collective".Lynne Stefanchuk, "Ottawa takes ride on superhighway", Winnipeg Free Press, 29 March 1994. Speaking to an interviewer in 2007, he said that the highlight of his political career was convincing the Chrétien government to include a reference to the information highway in its first throne speech.Alison Mayes, "Bringing the brain to bear", Winnipeg Free Press, 20 May 2007, B4.
Gerrard's 1994 strategic statement on the information highway also addressed the subject of industry mergers in the communications sector. He indicated that the Chrétien government would "apply pro-competition policies wherever ... they make sense"Jonathan Chevreau, "Ottawa to push 'open' highway", Financial Post, 3 February 1994, p. 3; Monta Kerr, "Delegates call for joint effort in development of 'highway.'", Computing Canada, 16 February 1994, Vol. 20 No. 4, p. 1. and added:
Science and technology strategies In June 1994, Manley and Gerrard ordered a full review of federal science and technology policy. This process had three aspects: an internal review, an independent assessment from the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology, and a series of consultations with interested Canadians.Alan Toulin, "Liberals reinventing science and technology policy", Financial Post, 12 July 1994, p. 9. Gerrard personally supervised the review's consultative sessions, and was appointed as vice-chairman of the National Advisory Board.Agnes Bongers, "Industry, research must work together, Ottawa told", Hamilton Spectator, 10 August 1994, D6; Neville Nankivell, "Inventing a new science policy", Financial Post, 3 August 1995, 9. The government's new strategy was issued in March 1996, outlining new plans for funding and tax credits.Neville Nankivell, "National strategy sees potential for job growth", Financial Post, 12 March 1996, 15; David Crane, "At last a plan for tech spending", Toronto Star, 12 March 1996, D2.
The Chrétien government's approach to funding the science and technology sectors received mixed reviews. Some criticized the government for cutting several research and science positions during the recession of the early 1990s,Paul Gessell, "Ottawa 'tragically short-sighted' in science cuts", Hamilton Spectator, 8 June 1995, A13. although at least one technological journal credited it with maintaining research and development incentives in the austerity budget of 1995.Gerrard indicated that the government wanted to have "the best tax regime in the world for science and technology". See Andy Shaw, "High-technology industry escapes federal budget axe", Computing Canada, 15 March 1995, p. 5. Gerrard himself was described a "passionate advocate" of research investment, and as the driving force behind the government's National Technology Investment Program of 1996.Dennis Bueckert, "Ottawa plans fund to aid high-tech firms", Winnipeg Free Press, 14 January 1996, B7. See also John Douglas Kevin Rollason, "City poised to cash in on fund", Winnipeg Free Press, 16 January 1996, B4. He also played a role in preserving the federal government's funding for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory during a period of cutbacks to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. See "Neutrino project ducks federal axe", Globe and Mail, 26 March 1996, A4.
Additional duties Gerrard was given additional responsibilities as Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification on January 25, 1996. He oversaw the expansion of the Community Futures Development Corporation Network throughout Western Canada, and worked with Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy to ensure a secure transition of the Port of Churchill rail line from Canadian National to OmniTRAX.Girard, p. 179.
Other Gerrard voted in favour of the Chrétien government's national gun registry program in late 1994, despite some personal reservations. The registry was unpopular with many rural Manitobans, and Gerrard remarked to John Manley soon after the vote that it would likely cost him his seat in the next election.
1997 election The Portage—Interlake riding disappeared with redistribution before the 1997 election. Gerrard ran in the new riding of Selkirk—Interlake, and lost to Reform Party candidate Howard Hilstrom by 66 votes in a very close three-way contest.There were several recounts before the result was finalized. See Carlton Student, "Gerrard appeals ruling during judicial recount", Winnipeg Free Press, 22 June 1997, A4; "Gerrard bows to Reform win", Winnipeg Free Press, 29 June 1997, A7.
Gerrard returned to his work at the Winnipeg Children's Hospital after his defeat. He also became a Medical Research Council of Canada scholar in residence at the University of Manitoba's medical school and applied to become Dean of Medicine,Bud Robertson, "Gerrard considers return to politics", Winnipeg Free Press, 15 June 1998, A8. as well as returning to his research work on bald eagles.In late 1997, he argued there was evidence northern bald eagles could produce more female offspring in food-rich regions, and more male offspring in areas where food was scarce. See Manfred Jager, "Ex-MP finds eagles' gender based on food", Winnipeg Free Press, 1 November 1997, A6.
Leadership of the Manitoba Liberal Party and provincial political career Gerrard returned to active political life in 1998, as leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party.
After winning only three seats in the 1995 provincial election and losing its official status in the legislature (which it had enjoyed since 1988), the provincial Liberal Party had nearly disintegrated in 1997 under the leadership of Ginny Hasselfield.Some party members spoke of Gerrard as a possible successor to Hasselfield as early as December 1997. See Melanie Verhaege, "Does anyone want Liberals' top job?", Winnipeg Free Press, 8 December 1997, A6. She resigned in February 1998, and Gerrard declared his candidacy to succeed her. Supported by former leader Sharon Carstairs, he defeated the only other candidate, former Sagkeeng First Nation chief Jerry Fontaine."Gerrard's leadership bid backed by Carstairs", Winnipeg Free Press, 16 September 1998, A4.
Elections 1999