 From that year to 1988, he was superintendent of schools for the Oxford County Board of Education.Finlay made unsuccessful attempts at political office in the 1963 Woodstock municipal election, and in the 1981 and 1987 Ontario elections.He was elected to federal office in the riding of Oxford under the Liberal Party of Canada in the 1993, 1997 and 2000 general elections, serving in the 35th, 36th and 37th Canadian Parliaments respectively.