Wilson, Michael H. (Michael Holcombe), 1937- : Michael H. Wilson was born on November 4, 1937, Toronto, Ontario of Harry Holcombe Wilson and Constance L. Davies. Educated at Upper Canada College, 1955 and the University of Toronto, Bachelor of Commerce 1959. Married October 17, 1964 to Margaret Catherine, daughter of Dr. Thomas H. Smellie and Marguerite Smellie.
Private career: Following some early international finance experience in London and New York, Wilson held numerous positions: Director of Harris and Partners, 1969 and Vice-President, 1972; appointed Executive Vice-President Dominion Securities and responsible for International Affairs, 1973; President of the Canadian Cancer Society, Metro Toronto Section, 1978-79; Director Dellcrest Children's Centre; Vice-President Canadian Club of Toronto, 1976-1978 and member of the Canadian Cancer Society, 1966-1979.
Wilson was first elected to the House of Commons for Etobicoke Centre in 1979 and was re-elected in 1980, 1984, 1988. Mr. Wilson was sworn to the Privy Council on 4 June 1979 and served in the Clark government as Minister of State for International Trade, 4 June 1979 - 3 March 1980. He served as the P.C. Party Spokesperson for Energy, Finance and Regional Industrial Expansion.
As member of the Opposition he was appointed Critic for Energy, for Finance in September 1981, for Industry, Trade and Commerce as well as for Regional Economic Expansion in September 1983. In 1983 he was a candidate for the leadership of the Federal Progressive Conservative Party. The leadership race was won by Brian Mulroney in June 1983.
Wilson served in the Mulroney government as Minister of Finance (1984-1991) and Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister of International Trade (1991-1993). On 17 Sept. 1984, he was appointed Minister of Finance. After producing six budgets, Wilson was assigned in 1991 to the portfolios of International Trade and Industry, Science and Technology. During these two portfolios, Wilson served as a member of the Party's Priorities and Planning Committee; as chairperson of the Caucus Committee for Economic Development and Job Creation and as a member of Mulroney's Council of Economic Advisors. He chose not to seek re-election in the 1983 general election.
Following his political career Wilson became Vice Chairman of RBC Dominion Securities Incorporated, Chairman of Michael Wilson International, Director of ManuLife Financial, member of the board of Directors of Amoco Corporation and Rio Algom Limited, and member of the Board of Directors of Algorithmics Incorporated.
