Gilbert Parent was a Canadian Member of Parliament. He is best known in his role of Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons between 1994 and 2001.

Parent was born on July 25, 1935 in Mattawa, Ontario . Prior to his election to the House of Commons in 1974 he worked as a teacher. Parent was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. Parent was elected to Parliament six times first in the 1974 election representing the riding of St. Catharines (electoral district) . 1979, 1980, 1988, 1993 and 1997.

His riding's name was subsequently changed to "Welland" then "Welland-St. Catharines-Thorold" and finally "Niagara Centre". Under Trudeau Parent served, at different times between 1977 and 1981, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, to the Minister of Labour and to the Minister of State (Sports).

Parent was defeated in the 1984 election as Brian Mulroney swept to power but regained his seat four years later.