Gordon Osbaldeston

Who is Gordon Osbaldeston?

Gordon Francis Joseph Osbaldeston, PC CC is a former Canadian civil servant.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, he received a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto in 1952 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario in 1953. He was the Gold Medalist at St. Michaels College, the University of Toronto and the Gold Medalist at the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario. He has received honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario, York University, Dalhousie University, and Carleton University.

In 1981 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1997.

In 1953, he married Geraldine Margaret Keller of Kitchener, Ontario. They have four children Stephen, David, Robert and Catherine.

He joined the public service of Canada in 1953. He was posted to São Paulo, Brazil, Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California as a Canadian Government Trade Commissioner. On return to Ottawa in 1960, he served consecutively as Assistant Director, Personnel, Assistant Director, Planning and Executive Director of the Canadian Government Trade Commissioner Service. In 1968, he was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the newly formed Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. In 1970, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Board in charge of the Program branch. From 1972 to 1973 he was Deputy Minister of the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. From 1973 to 1976 he was Deputy Minister of the Treasury Board. From 1976 to 1978 he was Deputy Minister of the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce. In 1978 he was appointed Secretary, Minister of State for Economic Development. In 1982 he was Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs. From 1982 to 1985 he was the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet. As such, he served three Prime Ministers, namely, the Right Honourables Pierre Elliott Trudeau, John Turner, and Brian Mulroney.