Government
Deputy Leader, House of Commons
For the last 16 years, Italian-born
Alfonso Gagliano has been a federally elected Liberal Member of the House
of Commons, Ottawa, the last six of which have been as a member of the
Cabinet, first as Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs, 1994-96,
Minister of Labour, 1996-97, and Minister of Public Works and Government
Services since 1997. Born, Siculiana, Italy, 1942, he came to Canada, 1958,
and took courses at Sir George Williams College (now Concordia University)
to become a Certified General Accountant. His first political victory was
election as School Commissioner, St. Jerome/LeRoyer, 1977, becoming its
President, 1983. In 1984, he was elected M.P. for St. Leonard-Anjou, and
as a member of the Opposition, was named Opposition Spokesman for Small
Business, Revenue Canada, and Canada Post. In 1988, he was re-elected to
the new riding of Saint Leonard and appointed Chair, Quebec Liberal Caucus,
then Chief Opposition Whip, 1991. Re-elected, 1993, Prime Minister Chrétien
named him Chief Government Whip, followed by his appointment to the Cabinet,
1994, as Secretary of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the
House of Commons. Re-elected, June 1997, to the riding now named Saint-Leonard/Saint-Michel,
The Hon. Mr. Gagliano, in addition to his role as Minister of Public Works
and Government Services, has continued his role as Deputy Leader of the
Government. He is also responsible for the Canada Information Office, Canada
Post Corporation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Royal Canadian
Mint, and Canada Lands Company Limited. [Photo, courtesy Office of the
Minister of Public Works and Government Services]