The Honourable John Reid was born on February 8, 1937 in Fort Frances, Ontario. He is married to the former Marie E. Balcaen and they have four children. He received a B.A. in 1959 and an M.A. (History) in 1961 from the University of Manitoba. He continued his studies in History at the University of Toronto from 1960 to 1963.
In 1984, he started John Reid Consulting, a public policy and government affairs consulting business. He also became the part-time Executive Director of the Forum for Young Canadians, a position he held for 5 years. From 1987 to 1990, he held the position of Founding Chairman for the Association of Former Members of Parliament. Mr. Reid was the President of the Canadian Nuclear Association in Toronto from 1990 to 1995. In 1996, he represented Canada as a senior member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a member of the Provisional Election Commission with responsibility for the writing of an Election Act and its implementation.
In 1997, he joined the United Nations Transitional Administration in Eastern Slovenia (Southern Croatia), where he was Political Advisor to the Chief Electoral Officer. On July 1, 1998, Mr. Reid began his seven-year term as Canada's Information Commissioner.