Bob Andras Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Robert Andras
Office:President of the Treasury Board
Primeminister:Pierre Trudeau
Term Start:September 14, 1976
Term End:November 23, 1978
Predecessor:Jean Chrétien
Successor:Judd Buchanan
Office1:Minister of Manpower and Immigration
Primeminister1:Pierre Trudeau
Term Start1:November 27, 1972
Term End1:September 13, 1976
Predecessor1:Bryce Mackasey
Successor1:Bud Cullen
Office2:Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs
Primeminister2:Pierre Trudeau
Term Start2:January 28, 1972
Term End2:November 26, 1972
Predecessor2:Ron Basford
Successor2:Herb Gray
Office3:Minister without portfolio
Primeminister3:Pierre Trudeau
Term Start3:July 6, 1968
Term End3:June 29, 1971
Riding4:Thunder Bay—Superior North
Parliament4:Canadian
Term Start4:May 22, 1979
Term End4:February 17, 1980
Predecessor4:Riding created
Successor4:Jack Masters
Riding5:Port Arthur
Parliament5:Canadian
Term Start5:November 8, 1965
Term End5:May 21, 1979
Predecessor5:Douglas M. Fisher
Successor5:Riding dissolved
Birth Name:Robert Knight Andras
Birth Date:21 February 1921
Birth Place:Lachine, Quebec, Canada
Death Place:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Party:Liberal
Children:2
Education:Wesley College
Blank1:Awards
Allegiance:Canada
Branch:Canadian Army
Rank:Major
Unit:Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
Battles:World War II

Robert Knight "Bob"Andras (February 21, 1921 -November 17, 1982) [1] was a Canadian politician and businessman who served in multiple cabinet posts under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

He was born February 21, 1921, in Lachine, Quebec. Andras moved to Port Arthur, Ontario in 1958 as the general manager of Gibson Motors Ltd., a car dealership he assumed ownership of in 1960.

Andras first ran for Parliament in 1965, contesting C. D. Howe’s old riding of Port Arthur, and won. He first entered government as a Minister without Portfolio from 1968 to 1971. His subsequent appointments include Minister of State for Urban Affairs from 1971 to 1972, Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs in 1972, Minister of Manpower and Immigration from 1972 to 1976, President of the Treasury Board from 1976 to 1978, and Minister of State for Economic Development from 1978 to 1979.

As Minister without Portfolio from 1968 to 1971, Andras started collaborating with the Minister of Northern Affairs, Jean Chrétien, to shape future Indian policy. During the summer of 1968, he attended consultation meetings with Aboriginal representatives. Aboriginal people felt that Andras understood their issues and would make a difference in Indian policy compared to previous bureaucratic rhetoric. However, Andras did not have the opportunity to push the agenda forward.[2]

Andras retired from politics in 1979 and re-entered the business world. He died of cancer on November 17, 1982, at his home in Vancouver.

Notes and References

  1. Montreal Gazette, 18 Nov. 1982, obituary.
  2. Weaver, Sally. (1981). Making Canadian Indian Policy: The Hidden Agenda 1968-1970 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1981)