Tribute to the Late Honourable David Osborn Braley, O.C.
Honourable colleagues, while I did not have the pleasure of working with former Senator David Braley, I rise today on behalf of the Independent Senators Group to pay tribute to a man whose impact across Canada, and particularly in my home province of British Columbia, will not be soon forgotten.
In 1997, David Braley became the owner of British Columbia’s CFL team, the BC Lions. His long history of success in business quickly translated to success on the field as the Lions captured the Grey Cup in 2000, their first of three under his ownership. David Braley collected a total of four Grey Cup wins during his time as an owner in the CFL. Under his leadership, the Lions became known as one of British Columbia’s model corporate citizens, a team active in charitable and community programs, focused on health and wellness, public education and the development of amateur football.
While he is best known for his contributions to the CFL, David Braley was also instrumental in keeping professional soccer alive in British Columbia when he took ownership of the Vancouver 86ers from 1997 to 2000, allowing the club to thrive today as the Vancouver Whitecaps.
David Braley was appointed to the Senate by former Prime Minister Harper in 2010, when he represented the province of Ontario until 2013. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2019, “for his contributions to the Canadian Football League, and for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic leadership in his community.”
Rick Dhaliwal, Contributor on TSN 1040 and writer for The Athletic Vancouver said:
My last conversation with David, he kept talking about what was best for the Lions, what was best for Vancouver, what was best for the CFL.
Nobody cared more about 3 down football than David.
One of the best owners this city will ever see.
He will be missed.