Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Politician

Bob Rae

Bob Rae is a Canadian politician, lawyer, diplomat and author who served as Premier of Ontario from 1990 to 1995 and as interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 2011 to 2013.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Bob Rae is a Canadian politician, lawyer, diplomat and author. He served as Premier of Ontario and later as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations.

What it is

Bob Rae is a major figure in Canadian politics. He was the first New Democratic Party premier of Ontario, serving from 1990 to 1995. He later served as interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 2011 to 2013 and as Canada’s ambassador to the UN from 2020 to 2025.

Why it matters

Rae’s career spans federal and provincial politics, diplomacy, and humanitarian work. He was elected 11 times to parliament and has worked on Indigenous issues, governance, and refugee policy. His shift from NDP premier to Liberal interim leader is notable in Canadian politics.

Key details

Rae was born in Ottawa in 1948. He studied at the University of Toronto and Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He is a Companion of the Order of Canada and a Privy Councillor. He has authored books and reports on public policy.

In short

  • First NDP premier of Ontario (1990–1995)
  • Interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (2011–2013)
  • Canada’s ambassador to the UN (2020–2025)
  • Elected 11 times to federal and provincial parliaments
Canadian angle

Bob Rae is a major figure in modern Canadian politics, with roles in Ontario, the federal Liberal Party, and Canada’s diplomatic representation at the United Nations.

Quick questions

Who is Bob Rae?
Bob Rae is a Canadian politician, lawyer, diplomat and author who served as Premier of Ontario and later as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations.
When was Bob Rae born?
He was born on 2 August 1948 in Ottawa, Ontario.
Was Bob Rae a premier?
Yes. He served as Premier of Ontario from 1990 to 1995.

Sources

  1. International Criminal Court Assembly of States Parties — https://asp.icc-cpi.int/sites/asp/files/asp_docs/PRs/ASP19R.VPASP.BR.CV.ASP.ENG.pdf
    Supports: Biography, education, political offices, honours, family, and UN ambassador role.
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-keith-bob-rae
    Supports: Birth, political career, premiership, Liberal interim leadership, envoy and ambassador appointments.
  3. Prime Minister of Canada — https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2017/10/23/biographical-notes-bob-rae
    Supports: Birth, education, elections, legal work, teaching, and family details.
  4. Dalhousie University — https://www.dal.ca/dept/maceachen-institute/About/Distinguished-Fellows/bob-rae.html
    Supports: Premiership, interim Liberal leadership, UN ambassadorship, honours, and public-service summary.
  5. Simon & Schuster — https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Bob-Rae/484727032
    Supports: Elections, premiership, career after politics, authorship, and honours.