Robert Henry McGregor

Robert Henry McGregor, PC (March 1, 1886 – October 25, 1965) was a long-time Canadian parliamentarian.

MacGregor was a contractor and horticulturalist by profession. He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1926 federal election and sat continuously in the chamber for thirty-six years until his defeat in the 1962 federal election when he was 79 years old.[2]

His initial experience in politics began in 1912 when he was appointed a school trustee for York Township. Eventually he became reeve of East York. In 1922, R.H. McGregor Elementary School was erected and named in his honour.

Originally elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for York South, he switched to the new Toronto riding of York East when it was created for the 1935 federal election. He won election a total of eight consecutive times[2] and was Dean of the House of Commons being its longest-serving member in the last years of his career.[3]

Despite his long tenure in the House of Commons he spoke rarely and was nicknamed "Silent Bob" McGregor. His only recorded Parliamentary speech occurred when being feted in the House on his 74th birthday. On that occasion he remarked "If a good many hon. Members made fewer speeches in the House, they would be here longer."[1][3]

Though never a member of Cabinet, he was elevated to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada on December 21, 1960 on Diefenbaker's recommendation in recognition of McGregor's long tenure of service.[4]