Barney Danson

Barnett Jerome "Barney" Danson (February 8, 1921 – October 17, 2011) was a Canadian politician and Cabinet minister.

Family Barnett Jerome "Barney" Danson was born to a Jewish family in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood. He joined The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in 1939 as the Second World War broke out. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant which he maintained until his death.

He returned to Canada and joined his family's insurance business before entering the plastics industry with his own company, the Danson Corporation.

In 2002, his autobiography, Not Bad for a Sergeant: The Memoirs of Barney Danson, was published.

His son, Tim Danson, is a Toronto lawyer known as a victim's rights advocate and for having represented the families of Paul Bernardo's victims.

Politics Danson was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1968 general election as the Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for the Toronto-area riding of York North.

As a Member of the Privy Council Danson was styled "The Honourable".

Service Danson is the co-founder along with Jacques Hébert of Katimavik, the national youth volunteer programme. Danson served as Canada's Consul General in Boston from 1984 to 1986.

He served on corporate and not-for-profit boards of directors such as the Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO), Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, the Ballet Opera House Corporation,

A theatre in the Canadian War Museum is named for him in honour of his service and to his four closest war-time friends killed in action; Sgt Fred B. Harris-Queen's, Lt Gerald Rayner, Lt Earl R. Stoll, and Lt Harlan David Keely.

Awards Danson was named an Officer of France's National Order of Merit (1994), and the Churchill Society's Award for "Excellence in the Cause of Parliamentary Democracy" (1995). In 1996, Danson was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and promoted to Companion in 2008.

In 2000, he was awarded the Vimy Award. In 2006, Danson was made an honorary Doctor of Laws by York University of Toronto.

He was sworn in as a Member of the Privy Council on August 8, 1974, which gave him the title "The Honourable" for life.

On March 28, 2007, he was made a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour.

Barney Danson's Medals were in Order of Precedence

Companion 2008

Officer

Archives There is a Barney Danson fonds at Library and Archives Canada.

Electoral record