Jim Carr facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Jim Carr PC OM
Carr in 2016
Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
In office December 8, 2021 – September 29, 2022
Preceded by	John McKay
Succeeded by	Ron McKinnon
Minister without Portfolio
In office January 12, 2021 – October 26, 2021
Prime Minister	Justin Trudeau
Preceded by	Gilles Lamontagne (1978)
Succeeded by	Vacant
Special Representative for the Prairies
In office November 20, 2019 – October 26, 2021
Prime Minister	Justin Trudeau
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Minister of International Trade Diversification
In office July 18, 2018 – November 20, 2019
Prime Minister	Justin Trudeau
Preceded by	François-Philippe Champagne
Succeeded by	Mary Ng (Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade)
Minister of Natural Resources
In office November 4, 2015 – July 18, 2018
Prime Minister	Justin Trudeau
Preceded by	Greg Rickford
Succeeded by	Amarjeet Sohi
Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre
In office October 19, 2015 – December 12, 2022
Preceded by	Joyce Bateman
Deputy Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party
In office April 26, 1988 – January 27, 1992
Leader	Sharon Carstairs
Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for Crescentwood
In office September 11, 1990 – January 27, 1992
Preceded by	Warren Steen
Succeeded by	Avis Gray
Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for Fort Rouge
In office April 26, 1988 – September 11, 1990
Preceded by	Roland Penner
Succeeded by	Tim Sale
Personal details
Born	James Gordon Carr (1951-10-11)October 11, 1951 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died	December 12, 2022(2022-12-12) (aged 71) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Political party	Liberal
Residence	Crescentwood, Winnipeg
Alma mater	McGill University
Occupation	Politician businessman writer editor

James Gordon Carr PC OM (October 11, 1951 – December 12, 2022) was a Canadian politician, journalist, and musician. He was a member of the Liberal Party. Jim Carr served as a Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre from 2015 until he passed away in 2022.

He held important roles in the Canadian government. These included Minister of Natural Resources (2015-2018) and Minister of International Trade Diversification (2018-2019). After a health challenge, he became the Special Representative for the Prairies. Later, he returned to the Cabinet as a Minister without Portfolio. Before federal politics, he was a member of the Manitoba Legislature from 1988 to 1992.

Jim Carr's Early Life and Career

Jim Carr was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on October 11, 1951. He was a talented musician from a young age. From 16 to 21, he played the oboe for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He even received a special arts grant to study music further.

After his music career, Jim Carr became interested in politics. He studied history and political science at McGill University. After graduating, he worked in government and as a journalist for the Winnipeg Free Press. He also served as the executive director of the Manitoba Arts Council.

Jim Carr in Provincial Politics

Jim Carr first ran for a seat in the Manitoba Legislature in 1986. He was elected in 1988 for the area of Fort Rouge. During this time, he became the Deputy Leader of the official opposition party.

In 1990, he was re-elected in the Crescentwood area. He served in the provincial legislature until 1992.

After Provincial Politics

After leaving provincial politics, Jim Carr continued to be active in his community. He worked as a columnist and was part of the editorial board for the Winnipeg Free Press. In 1998, he helped start the Business Council of Manitoba and became its president and CEO. He held this role until 2015.

He also served on the boards of other important organizations. These included the Canada West Foundation and the Winnipeg Airports Authority. In 2011, he received the Order of Manitoba, a special award for people who have made great contributions to the province.

Jim Carr's Federal Political Career

In 2014, Jim Carr decided to run for federal politics. He was chosen as the Liberal candidate for Winnipeg South Centre. In the 2015 federal election, he won with a large number of votes. Soon after, he became the Minister of Natural Resources.

Serving as Minister of Natural Resources

Carr at the 2018 G20 summit in Argentina.

As Minister of Natural Resources, Jim Carr launched an important project called "Generation Energy." This project aimed to find out how Canadians wanted to meet climate goals. It also focused on creating jobs and keeping energy affordable. Many Canadians shared their ideas through online platforms and meetings.

The ideas from this project led to big investments. These investments supported electric vehicles, clean energy for remote communities, and energy-efficient buildings. Jim Carr also worked with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to create the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. This plan helped Canada reach its climate goals.

He also worked to increase Canada's spending on clean-energy research. This helped Canada become a leader in new energy technologies.

Becoming Minister of International Trade Diversification

In 2018, Jim Carr became the Minister of International Trade Diversification. This new role focused on helping Canada trade with more countries, not just the United States. It also aimed to include more Canadians in international trade. This meant helping small businesses, women-owned businesses, and Indigenous businesses.

He helped expand the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS). The TCS helps Canadian businesses find customers in other countries. He also worked to make trade more fair and inclusive for everyone.

Important Trade Agreements

During his time as Minister of International Trade Diversification, Jim Carr helped bring several important trade agreements into effect.

• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP): This agreement helps Canada trade freely with countries around the Pacific Ocean. Jim Carr worked quickly to make sure Canada was one of the first countries to approve it. This opened up new markets for Canadian businesses.
• Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA): This agreement was updated to include a special chapter on trade and gender. This was the first time such a chapter was included in a G20 country's free trade agreement.
• Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA): This agreement also included a chapter on gender. It aimed to help more people, including women-owned businesses, benefit from trade.

Supporting International Education

Jim Carr also focused on international education. He launched a new strategy to encourage young Canadians to study and work abroad. This included financial support for thousands of students.

Corporate Responsibility

He also worked on making sure Canadian companies act responsibly when they operate in other countries. He announced the creation of Canada's first Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. This role helps review claims of human rights issues involving Canadian companies abroad.

Jim Carr's Second and Third Terms

Jim Carr was re-elected as a Member of Parliament in the 2019 federal election. Soon after, he was diagnosed with a serious illness. He stepped down from his Cabinet role to focus on his health. However, he accepted a new role as the federal government's special representative to the Prairies. In 2021, he returned to Cabinet as a Minister without Portfolio.

He was re-elected for a third term in the 2021 federal election. In his final term, he chaired the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. A major focus for him was his own bill, Bill C-235. This bill was about building a green economy in the Prairies. Jim Carr saw his bill pass the House of Commons just days before he passed away.

Personal Life and Passing

Jim Carr was Jewish. His family came to Canada from Russia in 1906. He had his bar mitzvah at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in 1964.

In October 2019, Jim Carr announced he had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. He began treatment while continuing his work as a Member of Parliament. Jim Carr passed away at his home in Winnipeg on December 12, 2022, at the age of 71.

Electoral Record

Federal Elections

Provincial Elections