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Hnatyshyn, Ramon

Ramon John Hnatyshyn

b. 16 Mar 1934, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
d. 18 Dec 2002, Ottawa, Ontario

Title: Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada = Gouverneur général et Commandant en chef du Canada
Term: 29 Jan 1990 - 8 Feb 1995
Chronology: 14 Dec 1989, appointed by Commission under the Great Seal of Canada [1]
  29 Jan 1990, took an oath of allegiance and an oath of office as Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, public ceremony, Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Ontario [1][2]
  8 Feb 1995, appointment superseded by the Commission of a successor effective on taking the prescribed oaths [3][4]
Names/titles: Also known as Ray Hnatyshyn
Biography:
Son of John Hnatyshyn, a senator for Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (1959-1967) of Ukrainian descent; attended Victoria Public School and Nutana Collegiate Institute; enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets; attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning the bachelor of arts (1954) and bachelor of law (1956) degrees; was called to the bar of Saskatchewan (1957); worked for the government leader in the Senate (1958-1960); practised law in Saskatoon (1956-1958, 1960-1974); was elected a Conservative MP in the 1974 General Election, representing Saskatoon—Biggar (1974-1979) and Saskatoon West (1979-1988); served as minister of energy, mines and resources (1979-1980) in the government of Joe Clark; was named House leader in 1984 and after the General Election in September 1984, served as government leader in the House of Commons (1984-1986); served as President of the Privy Council (1985-1986); appointed minister of justice (1986-1988) in the cabinet of Brian Mulroney; was defeated in the 1988 General Election; practised trade and corporate law at the established Ottawa firm of Cowling, Strathy & Henderson (1989-1990); appointed Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada (29 Jan 1990 - 8 Feb 1995); during his term as Governor General, he encouraged the development of arts and instituted Governor General's Performing Arts Awards in 1992; acted as official host for 26 heads of state, making more than 1,200 speeches and re-opening the grounds of Rideau Hall to the public in 1990.
Biographical sources: Canadian Encyclopedia; Globe and Mail, 19 Dec 2002, pp. A1-A3 (obituary).

[1] Canada Gazette, Part I, No. 1, Extra, 29 Jan 1990.
[2] Globe and Mail, No. 43,729, 30 Jan 1990, pp. (1)-2.
[3] Canada Gazette, Part I, No. 2, Extra, 8 Feb 1995, pp. (1)-2.
[4] Globe and Mail, 9 Feb 1995, A01, A04, A23.