Doug Finley

The Honourable Doug Finley
Senator for South Coast, Ontario
In office August 27, 2009 – May 11, 2013
Nominated by	Stephen Harper
Appointed by	Michaëlle Jean
Personal details
Born	Michael Douglas Finley July 25, 1946 Exeter, England, United Kingdom
Died	May 11, 2013(2013-05-11) (aged 66) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	British/Canadian
Political party	Scottish National Party Conservative
Spouse	Diane Finley
Residence(s)	Ottawa, Ontario

Michael Douglas 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.

History

Finley was born in Exeter, England, and later raised in Hamilton, Scotland.^[1][2] 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 Corporation and Senior Vice President of Avcorp Industries.^[3] Later in his business career he worked as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Fernlea Flowers,^[4] of Delhi, Ontario.^[5]

Douglas Finley was described as Prime Minister Stephen Harper's "number two man" and an "attack dog",^[1] responsible for vetting and disciplining candidates and MPs. Prior to his involvement with Canadian federal politics, Finley was involved with the Scottish National Party. His first Canadian federal political involvement was in the 1974 campaign of Liberal candidate Rod Blaker, who was campaigning for re-election in the Quebec riding of Lachine.^[2] He later was involved with the former Reform and Canadian Alliance parties, predecessor parties to the Conservative Party of Canada.

Finley was married to cabinet minister Diane Finley, his second wife,^[2] for more than 30 years.^[1][6]

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, was involved in what became known as the In and Out scandal,^[1] in relation to campaign funding.

In 2009, Finley was appointed to the Senate.

Finley died of cancer on May 11, 2013.^[7]

References

1. "Senator Doug Finley was deeply committed to Canada". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. 12 May 2013.
2. Uncredited, Harper's backroom general Archived 2014-05-12 at the Wayback Machine;Canwest News Service, July 7, 2008. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
3. Avcorp Industries website; retrieved 2014-02-13.
4. "Senator Doug Finley". Parliament of Canada. ^{[permanent dead link]}
5. Fernlea Flowers website; retrieved 2014-02-13.
6. Brennan, Richard J. (28 August 2009). "Harper dubbed 'patronage king'". The Star. Toronto. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
7. "Senator Doug Finley dies from cancer at age 66". CBC. Retrieved 11 May 2013.

External links

• Doug Finley – Parliament of Canada biography