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- Source of title proper: Title based on the content of the records.
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1977-2004 (Creation)
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4.42 m of textual records -- 1682 photographs -- 623 negatives -- 8 audio cassettes -- 1 audio reel -- 1 cd --116 video cassettes
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Biographical history
Deborah "Deb" Grey was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 1, 1952, to Mansell and Joyce Grey. She graduated from Prince of Wales High School in 1970 and attended the Burrard Inlet Bible Institute, accepting a staff position there after graduation in 1973. In 1974 she began studies at Trinity Western College in Langley, British Columbia, and then the University of Alberta, earning a Double Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and English in 1978 and a Bachelor of Education After Degree in 1979. She taught at the Frog Lake First Nation Reserve in 1979 before transferring to Dewberry, Alberta, to teach English at the junior and senior high school level.
Grey entered politics in 1987, running unsuccessfully as a candidate for the Reform Party in the Beaver River Riding in 1988. She ran again in a by-election held in the same riding in 1989 this time winning the seat and becoming the first member of the Reform Party to be elected to Parliament. She was re-elected in Beaver River in 1993, then re-elected again as MP for Edmonton North in 1997 and 2000. Grey served as the Reform Party Caucus Chair from November 1993 to March 2000 and deputy leader of the party from 1995 to 2000. She also served as interim Leader of the Opposition from March 25th to September 18th, 2000, the first and only woman to hold the position. After the merger of the Reform and Progressive Conservative parties to form the Canadian Alliance in 2000, she briefly resigned from the party and served as an independent MP before rejoining the Canadian Alliance which became the Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. Grey retired from politics in 2004.
Grey was known during her time in office for being a motorcycle enthusiast as well as an avid sports fan, and she advocated for Wayne Gretzky to be named the greatest Canadian on the CBC special, "The Greatest Canadian" in 2004. She also published her memoir, Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize, in 2004.
Grey married Lewis Larson on August 7, 1993, and currently lives in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia.
Custodial history
Deb Grey deposited the records at the Royal Alberta Museum in 2008.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of photographs relating to Grey's political and private life; scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, correspondence, greeting cards, and other materials from Grey's political career (1988-2004); speeches, some handwritten some taken out of Hansard, given by Grey in the House of Commons (1989, 1998-2004); press releases (1998-2004); handwritten speeches delivered outside the House of Commons (1989-2004); handwritten notes from political activities (1996-2004); reports and polling information related to her activities (1989-2003); House of Commons day planners (1989-2000); materials relating to Reform Party strategies and policies; materials relating to Grey's wedding to Lewis Larson in 1993; materials from the defamation suit filed against Grey by George Bears et all (Grassroots for Day, 2001-2002); assorted e-mails and letters for and against Stockwell Day as leader of the Canadian Alliance Party, in relation to the 2001 CA Leadership National Council, and in regards to the Democratic Representative Caucus (DRC) formed in part by Grey in reaction to the leadership crisis; campaign mailings, newsletters, and Christmas cards Grey sent to her constituents and stationary samples from her constituency office (1988-2004); memorabilia from Grey's appearances on numerous television programs including the CBC production "The Greatest Canadian" and "The Rick Mercer Report"; memorabilia from Grey's 10th anniversary as a member of the House of Commons (1998); a folder of poetry written by Grey; a folder of farewell correspondence related to her retirement in 2004; a small scrapbook of childhood and other photos with handwritten notes; a copy of "Poisoned Chalice: The Last Campaign of the Progressive Conservative Party?" by David McLaughlin, signed by author, with sections highlighted by Grey; VHS tapes of Grey in the House of Commons, on various television programs, and some home movies; audio cassette tapes including speeches by Grey, parodies, Reform party materials, and recordings of "His", a Christian music group Grey was part of; 1 audio reel of "Reform Radio"; and 1 CD of Grey on AM930 the Light.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
The Royal Alberta Museum transferred the materials to the Provincial Archives via Sean Moir in July 2008. Additional records were transferred from the Museum in June 2009.
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Language and script note
The material is in English.
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Restrictions on access
Access Conditions: None
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Use Conditions: Permission for use required. Subject to the Copyright Act.
Finding aids
File lists are available.
Associated materials
Additional materials on the Reform Party and Canadian Alliance Party of Canada can be found in the Alberta Report fonds in accession PR2005.0335.
Additional materials on Deb Grey can be found at the Royal Alberta Museum under collection number H08.30. Additional materials on the Reform Party of Canada can be found at the University of Calgary Archives.
Accruals
Further accruals are not expected.
General note
Information for the administrative history/biographical sketch was sourced from the records with additional information from Grey's Parliamentary File <http:> accessed August 18, 2009.</http:>