Doug Finley
| The Honourable Doug Finley | |
|---|---|
| Senator for Ontario-South Coast | |
| In office August 27, 2009 – May 11, 2013 | |
| Appointed by | Stephen Harper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Douglas Finley July 25, 1946 Exeter, England, United Kingdom |
| Died | May 11, 2013 (aged 66) Ottawa, Ontario |
| Nationality | British/Canadian |
| Political party | Scottish National Party Conservative |
| Spouse(s) | Diane Finley |
| Residence | Ottawa, Ontario |
Michael Douglas "Doug" Finley (July 25, 1946 – May 11, 2013) was a Canadian Senator and was Campaign Director for the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2006 and 2008 federal elections and the party's director of Political Operations.[1] He was described as Prime Minister Stephen Harper's "number two man" and an "attack dog",[2] responsible for vetting and disciplining candidates and MPs.
He was involved with the Scottish National Party and the former Reform and Canadian Alliance parties (which was eventually dissolved into the current Conservative Party).
On August 27, 2009, Finley was appointed to the Senate. Upon his appointment the position of National Campaign Director was discontinued, replaced with National Campaign Manager and National Campaign Chair.
Of Scots ethnicity, gruff but tender, he was born in England and raised in Scotland, Finley liked to drink, smoke and play association football.[2]
He was married to cabinet minister Diane Finley for more than 30 years, and they have a daughter and three grandchildren.[2][3]
Finley died of cancer on May 11, 2013, after a long illness.[4]
Business career
In his professional life, Finley worked for Rolls Royce Canada in Montreal, where he rose to the position of Director of Production, Strategic Planning and New Business Development. He then served as President of Standard Aero and Senior Vice President of AvCorp Industries. More recently he worked as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Fernlea Flowers in Southwestern Ontario.[5]
While working as Campaign Director for the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2006 federal election, Finley,with his colleagues Irving Gerstein, Michael Donison and Susan Kehoe became involved in what is known as the In and Out scandal.[2] Gerstein was also appointed to the Senate in 2009.
References
- ↑ Linda Diebel (2008-09-06). "Harper's 'political pit bull'". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/senator-doug-finley-was-deeply-committed-to-canada/article11881399/
- ↑ Brennan, Richard J. (August 28, 2009). "Harper dubbed 'patronage king'". The Star (Toronto). Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ↑ "Senator Doug Finley dies from cancer at age 66". CBC. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ↑ http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb/senate/isenator_det.asp?senator_id=2852&sortord=S&Language=E&M=M