1993:
Gary Mar is first-elected as an Alberta MLA.
September 28, 2007:
Mar is appointed Alberta’s new trade representative in Washington – after being dropped from cabinet 9 months prior. He sits as an MLA for 14 years, serving several cabinet posts, including Community Development, Health, Education and Environment.
March 15, 2011:
Mar resigns from his post as Alberta’s official representative in Washington.
March 16, 2011:
Mar officially announces he’ll run to replace Premier Ed Stelmach as PC leader.
September 17, 2011:
Mar advances along with Doug Horner and Alison Redford as the three final candidates in the PC leadership race, after the results of the first ballot are counted.
September 28, 2011:
Mar faces off against Doug Horner and Alison Redford in a televised PC leadership debate at Global.
October 1, 2011:
Mar is the front-runner in the PC leadership race, leading the first and second ballots of the Tory leadership vote, but Alison Redford eclipses him in the second round of a preferential ballot.
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October 2, 2011:
Mar loses the PC leadership race to underdog Alison Redford.
October 7, 2011:
After nearly 6 days of silence, Mar tweets: “very proud of our progressive conservative association of Alberta family. Thanks for your hard work and dedication. Best wishes to Premier-designate Redford on her swearing in.”
October 14, 2011:
Gary Mar is named Alberta’s Envoy to Asia. The former cabinet minister and Washington office representative is now responsible for developing business, cultural and educational relations with Asia.
March 1, 2012:
The date of the controversial fundraising dinner, held at Edmonton’s Petroleum Club. Concerns were raised that Mar used his government position to raise money for his own financial benefit. For $400 guests could hear Mar speak about doing business in Hong Kong. Mar argues “there’s no conscious effort on my part to take advantage of my position.”
March 9:
Gary Mar is placed on unpaid leave by PC leader and Premier Alison Redford. The decision was made after reports surfaced of a fundraiser held to help pay off debt from his failed leadership bid. The matter is put under investigation.
March 9:
Financial statements are released, showing Mar spent nearly $2.7 million funding his bid for PC leadership, winding up with a $262,000 deficit from the campaign.
March 14:
Gary Mar speaks; promising he did nothing wrong, and will restore his reputation.
April 13:
Wildrose party leader Danielle Smith promises that if her party forms the government, suspended trade envoy and former Tory cabinet minister Gary Mar would not get his job back. “Gar Mar would not be our representative in Hong Kong,” Smith said.
April 19:
Anonymous sources say the report into Gary Mar’s fundraising activities was vindicating Mar just before the leaders debate. Premier Redford said she only learned about the reports on a radio program, and wasn’t commenting on the results of the investigation.
When the ethics commissioner advises the premier he doesn’t have jurisdiction, she assigns the probe to Peter Watson, Deputy Minister of Executive Council, who investigates issues dealing with seniors government officials.
April 23:
The Alberta PCs win a majority government in the provincial election.
April 27:
The report looking into Mar’s fundraising activities is released, clearing him of all wrongdoing, and advising he resume his post in as Alberta’s Envoy to Asia in Hong Kong.
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