Gerald Lewis "Gerry" Caplan (born 8 March 1938) is a Canadian academic, public policy analyst, commentator, and political activist.
He has had a varied career in academia, as a political organizer for the New Democratic Party, in advocacy around education, broadcasting and African affairs and as a commentator in various Canadian media.
After a period serving as co-ordinator of Toronto's health advocacy unit from 1980 to 1982, Caplan returned to political work.
In 1982, Caplan was a candidate for the federal NDP nomination in Broadview—Greenwood after Bob Rae vacated the seat to move to provincial politics.
[citation needed] In 1985, Caplan was co-chair of the Task Force on Canadian Broadcasting Policy by then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
Caplan continues to contribute opinion pieces to various Canadian newspapers including the Star and The Globe and Mail, and has been a regular panelist on CBC News Network's Power & Politics.
Caplan has denounced the Roman Catholic Church on what he says is the notorious role of the institution in setting the stage for, enabling and ultimately participating in the genocide in Rwanda.