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This article is about the Canadian statesman. For the similarly-named places in Massachusetts, see Allen Rock. Allan Rock, PC, BA , LL.B (born August 30, 1947) is a lawyer and former Canadian politician and diplomat. He was Canada's ambassador to the United Nations (2004-2006) and had previously served in the Cabinet of Jean Chrétien, most notably as Justice Minister (1993-1997) and Health Minister (1997-2002).
Early life Rock was born and raised in Ottawa. He studied for a B.A. and an LL.B. at the University of Ottawa and began his career as a trial lawyer. As a student leader in 1970 he met John Lennon and drove him around Ottawa while he was hosting him for a "peace conference" he was holding. He had invited Lennon to Ottawa after his famous "bed-in" in Montreal. He tried to introduce Lennon to Pierre Trudeau, but the prime minister was not at home when they dropped by. Ministerial career In 2002, Rock became the Minister of Industry for Canada following five years in the post of Minister of Health. Prior to this he was the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. In his role as Minister of Justice, Rock was heavily involved in bringing about the Canadian gun registry. This program was plagued by massive cost overruns, and is rumoured to be one of the reasons for the failure of Rock's abortive leadership bid. However Rock's tenure as a federal cabinet minister was in general characterized by controversy ranging from the handling of compensation for victims of tainted blood donations to actions of his department in the Airbus affair (which ended in a public apology and $2,000,000 settlement to Brian Mulroney). Rock initially declared he would run in the Liberal Party of Canada leadership race to replace the retiring Jean Chrétien, but he later dropped out. On December 12, 2003, he was appointed Canada's ambassador to the United Nations. Rock took office in early 2004. As Canada's ambassador to the UN, Rock spoke to the UN General Assembly on April 13, 2004, encouraging participation of the member nations of the United Nations on the matter of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Certain Catholic groups have called for Rock's excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church due to his support for abortion rights. Rock was also a strong supporter of gay rights, and specifically gay marriage, long before it became Liberal Party policy. With the election of the Conservative Party of Canada, it has been speculated that Rock would be replaced in his role as Ambassador. He had also been mentioned as a potential candidate to replace the departing Prime Minister Paul Martin as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada but on February 3, 2006, Rock announced that he will not run for leadership of the Liberal Party. Rock tendered his resignation in February and on February 16 2006, the newly elected Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment of Rock's replacement, John McNee Rock's remained in office until June 30 2006 at Harper's request. Upon his departure, he called for an overhaul of the UN. Rock announced earlier in June that he would be moving to Windsor, Ontario to resume his legal career. It is rumoured that Rock will become University of Windsor President following the end of the current President's term. See also | ||||||||
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