Gay Igloo Recipient (January 2009)

Glen Murray was the first openly gay mayor of a major metropolitian city in North America. He served as mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba from 1998 to 2004. Murray was born in Montreal, PQ October 26, 1957 and attended John Abbott College and Concordia University. In 1999 Winnipeg hosted the Pan American Games and Murray became known across the country. Murray ran for a federal seat but was defeated. Murray was appointed by PM Paul Martin as chair of a National Round Table on the Environment and Economy in March 2005, despite opposition from other political parties and a non-binding vote against his appointment in the House of Commons. In 2006, the Round Table releashed a report stating that Canada could reduce greenhouse gas emissions using existing technology. He now lives in Toronto, where he is president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. He also lectures at the University of Toronto and Massey College.