Granatstein, J.L., 1939-

Jack Lawrence Granatstein (1939- ), is a historian, author of several works on Canadian political, defense and international relations history, and professor of history at York University. He was editor of the 'Canadian Historical Review' (1981-1984), served on several committees and jury panels, and was a staff historian at the Department of National Defense History Directorate (1964-1966). Among his many titles are, 'Bloody victory: Canadians and the D-Day campaign, 1944,' (1984), 'Pirouette: Pierre Trudeau and Canadian foreign policy,' (1990), 'Sacred trust? Brian Mulroney and the Conservatives in power,' (1986), and 'The generals: the Canadian army's senior commanders in the Second World War,' (1993). Granatstein also played a part in citizen action committees in the City of Toronto during the early 1970s, when there was a good deal of opposition to the planning and development of the city. As an official with the Avenue-Bay-Cottingham Ratepayers' Association, he was active in a battle with Marathon Realty Corp. to develop lands in that city neighbourhood. He was also involved in CORRA (Confederation of Resident and Ratepayer Associations), a body established in 1970, and served as a vice-chair of it during the period, 1973-1974. In addition, he was, by virtue of his position with CORRA, a member of the Core Area Task Force. The latter body was established in March, 1973, by the Toronto City Council, initially to respond to a planning document from the City Works Department. The Core Area Task Force included aldermen, business and community groups, and special interest groups. The task force eventually submitted a report to the city proposing the virtual elimination of automobile traffic in the city core, a system of expanded, free, public transportation, and other suggestions which were not acted on at the time.