Fundos paa-9177 - Gordon Taylor fonds

Gordon Taylor was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1910, and grew up in Drumheller, Alberta. Gordon attended the Drumheller High School, the Drumheller Business College, the Calgary Normal School, the Banff School of Fine Arts and the University of Alberta. After graduation, Gordon taught school in the Rowley and Drumheller areas for thirteen years before working in business in the City of Drumheller. In 1940, Gordon was elected to the Alberta Legislature as a Social Credit provincial member in the Constituency of Drumheller. In 1944, 1948, 1952, 1963, 1969, and 1971 Gordon retained his seat. In 1950, Gordon was appointed Minister of Highways and served until 1958. From 1958 to 1970, he served as Minister of Transport, and from 1970 to 1971, Gordon served as Minster of Youth and Recreation. As Minister of Highways, and Minister of Transport, Gordon Taylor heralded the development of divided highways, bridges, and paved shoulders. He also introduced road grants for municipalities to build better roads. In 1975, after eschewing Social Credit policies, Taylor ran as an Independent in support of Premier Lougheed, and was re-elected. In 1979, Gordon Taylor left provincial politics, and turned to federal politics. In 1979, he was elected Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for the Constituency of Bow River, and in the 1980 election, Gordon retained his seat. In 1988, Gordon Taylor retired from parliament. Gordon Taylor participated in community and social organizations. During World War II, Gordon Taylor served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Flying Officer, and received an honorable discharge in 1946. As a teacher Gordon founded a camp for boys and girls, Camp Gordon, at Pine Lake. From 1951 to 1971 Gordon held membership with the Alberta Research Council and served as Chairman from 1955 to 1959. Gordon also served as President of the Good Roads Association and helped form the Canada Safety Council;Taylor also donated his time to the Boy Scouts and the Air Cadets, and he served as Chairman of the Advisory Board to the St. Mary's Salesian Home For Boys. In 1969, Gordon Taylor received an award from the Pope for his charity work. In 2003, Gordon Taylor passed away.