July 15, 2010

Senator Dan Hays donates papers to University of Calgary Library

U of C Librarian Tom Hickerson (left) and Senator Dan Hays at the construction site of the Taylor Family Digital Library, which will house the Senator's papers.The University of Calgary Archives is delighted to receive the records of Senator Dan Hays, former Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and former Speaker of the Senate (2001-2006). The impressive collection includes 103 boxes of records, photographs, video and other materials documenting his experience in the Canadian Senate.

"Senator Daniel Hays' records are a wonderful addition to our growing collection of records pertaining to western Canadian politicians and political parties," comments Tom Hickerson, Vice-Provost, Libraries & Cultural Resources and University Librarian. "This donation provides an exciting new resource for students and faculty studying the political, cultural, social and economic history of the area."

"I am pleased that interested researchers will have access to my papers and records," said Senator Hays in making the donation. "I've been fortunate to be involved in key issues facing the country over the course of 23 years in the Senate. In this context, I hope these papers will encourage and support new research and a better understanding of the political and public policy outcomes of those years from the perspective of an Alberta parliamentarian."

Senator Dan Hays was born in Calgary and was raised on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Calgary in what is now a suburb called Haysboro. He was awarded an arts degree from the University of Alberta in 1962, and went on to complete a law degree at the University of Toronto. In 1965 he articled for the Calgary law firm, Macleod Dixon, and in 1966 he was called to the Bar of Alberta. He then joined Macleod Dixon and has since remained an associate. Senator Hays has been involved in the cattle industry since 1957 and continues to maintain a small herd of Hays Converters.

In 1984, he was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Trudeau. During his parliamentary career, Senator Hays has served on a number of Senate Committees. In 1999, he was appointed Deputy Leader of the Government in Senate, and in 2001, Prime Minister Chrétien appointed him Speaker of the Senate. Senator Hays has also served as President of the Liberal Party of Canada.