Graham Fraser (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Graham Fraser is Canada's sixth Commissioner of Official Languages
, and a former Canadian
journalist
and writer. He is the author of several books, both in English
and French
, and served as the National Affairs Correspondent for the Toronto Star
, for which he also writes a weekly column. He is also adjunct professor of journalism at Carleton University
.
Fraser is the son of Blair Fraser, a respected newspaper and magazine reporter of the mid-20th century. Blair Fraser drowned on a canoe trip in 1966. Graham Fraser attended Upper Canada College
and, later, studied at the University of Toronto
where he obtained a BA in 1968 and an MA in History in 1972. During his career as a journalist, Fraser wrote for Maclean's
, The Globe and Mail
, The Montreal Gazette, The Toronto Star and Le Devoir
.
Fraser's unusual abilities as a journalist writing in both of Canada's official languages gave him natural qualifications to be Canada's Commissioner of Official Languages. In early 2006 he published a book, Sorry, I Don't Speak French, which reviewed the successes and failures of Canada's policy of official bilingualism. It was largely on the basis of the book and of Fraser's bilingual work experience that Prime Minister Stephen Harper
nominated Fraser to be Canada's next Commissioner of Official Languages in September 2006. The nomination was unanimously endorsed by the House of Commons on October 17.
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, an office of the Canadian government, is responsible for achieving the objectives of, and promoting, Canada's Official Languages Act....
, and a former Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
journalist
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
and writer. He is the author of several books, both in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, and served as the National Affairs Correspondent for the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
, for which he also writes a weekly column. He is also adjunct professor of journalism at Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
.
Fraser is the son of Blair Fraser, a respected newspaper and magazine reporter of the mid-20th century. Blair Fraser drowned on a canoe trip in 1966. Graham Fraser attended Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
and, later, studied at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
where he obtained a BA in 1968 and an MA in History in 1972. During his career as a journalist, Fraser wrote for Maclean's
Maclean's
Maclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
, The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail is a nationally distributed Canadian newspaper, based in Toronto and printed in six cities across the country. With a weekly readership of approximately 1 million, it is Canada's largest-circulation national newspaper and second-largest daily newspaper after the Toronto Star...
, The Montreal Gazette, The Toronto Star and Le Devoir
Le Devoir
Le Devoir is a French-language newspaper published in Montreal and distributed in Quebec and the rest of Canada. It was founded by journalist, politician, and nationalist Henri Bourassa in 1910....
.
Fraser's unusual abilities as a journalist writing in both of Canada's official languages gave him natural qualifications to be Canada's Commissioner of Official Languages. In early 2006 he published a book, Sorry, I Don't Speak French, which reviewed the successes and failures of Canada's policy of official bilingualism. It was largely on the basis of the book and of Fraser's bilingual work experience that Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
nominated Fraser to be Canada's next Commissioner of Official Languages in September 2006. The nomination was unanimously endorsed by the House of Commons on October 17.
External links
- Biographical note on the Carleton University website
- Graham Fraser columns in the Toronto Star (defunct)