Judy LaMarsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judy LaMarsh
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LaMarsh, c. 1964
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| Secretary of State for Canada | |
| In office December 18, 1965 – April 9, 1968 |
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| Prime Minister | Lester B. Pearson |
| Preceded by | Maurice Lamontagne |
| Succeeded by | John Joseph Connolly (Acting) |
| Minister of National Health and Welfare | |
| In office April 22, 1963 – December 17, 1965 |
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| Prime Minister | Lester B. Pearson |
| Preceded by | Jay Monteith |
| Succeeded by | Allan MacEachen |
| Minister of Amateur Sport | |
| In office April 22, 1963 – December 17, 1965 |
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| Prime Minister | Lester B. Pearson |
| Preceded by | Jay Monteith |
| Succeeded by | Allan MacEachen |
| Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls |
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| In office October 31, 1960 – June 24, 1968 |
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| Preceded by | William Houck |
| Succeeded by | Joe Greene |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Julia Verlyn LaMarsh
December 20, 1924 Chatham, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | October 27, 1980 (aged 55) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Resting place | Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Alma mater | |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch/service | Canadian Women's Army Corps |
| Years of service | 1943–1945 |
| Rank | Intelligence officer |
Julia Verlyn LaMarsh (December 20, 1924 – October 27, 1980) was an important Canadian figure. She was a politician, a lawyer, an author, and a broadcaster. In 1963, she made history as only the second woman to become a federal Cabinet minister in Canada.
During the 1960s, she worked under Prime Minister Lester Pearson. She helped create major programs like the Canada Pension Plan and Medicare. As Secretary of State, she led Canada's big 100th birthday celebrations in 1967. After leaving politics, she wrote books and hosted her own radio show. She passed away in 1980 after battling cancer.
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Judy LaMarsh's Early Life
Judy LaMarsh was born on December 20, 1924, in Chatham, Ontario. She grew up in Niagara Falls. Her family had both French and English roots.
Education and Military Service
Even though she trained to be a teacher, she never taught in schools. During World War II, she joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps. She traveled across Canada from 1943 to 1946. She reached the rank of sergeant.
LaMarsh worked with the Canadian military engineers in Halifax. Later, she studied Japanese in Vancouver. She then worked in Intelligence as a Japanese translator. She worked alongside Japanese-Canadian soldiers.
After the war, she went to the University of Toronto. She also studied at Osgoode Hall Law School. She became a lawyer in 1950. She then joined her father's law firm in Niagara Falls.
Judy LaMarsh's Political Journey
Judy LaMarsh first tried to enter politics in Ontario, but she was not successful. However, she was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1960. This was a special election to fill a vacant seat.
She became a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for Niagara Falls. In 1963, the Liberals won the election. LaMarsh then joined the Canadian Cabinet. She was the second woman in Canadian history to be a federal cabinet minister. She was also the first woman in a Liberal cabinet.
Key Roles in Government
From 1963 to 1965, LaMarsh served as Minister of National Health and Welfare. She was also the Minister of Amateur Sport. From 1965 to 1968, she was the Secretary of State for Canada.
During her time as Minister of National Health and Welfare, two big programs started. These were the Canada Pension Plan and the plan for Canada's Medicare system. She helped pass the Medicare bill in Parliament. She was also one of the first government officials to speak out against smoking. In 1963, she stated that smoking causes lung cancer and other health problems.
As Secretary of State, she oversaw Canada's 100th birthday celebrations in 1967. She also introduced the Broadcasting Act of 1968. This law helped shape how broadcasting works in Canada. She also served on the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. This commission looked into the rights and roles of women in Canada.
Leaving Politics
In 1968, the Liberal Party chose a new leader. LaMarsh supported Paul Hellyer. When it was clear her candidate would not win, she wanted him to support another candidate. She did not want Pierre Trudeau to win. Her comments about Trudeau were accidentally broadcast live on TV. After Trudeau became the party leader, she decided to leave politics.
After Her Political Career
After leaving politics, Judy LaMarsh went back to being a lawyer. She often worked on civil rights cases. For example, she defended the Brunswick Four in a famous case about LGBT rights in 1974.
Author and Broadcaster
In 1969, she published her autobiography. It was called Memoirs of a Bird in a Gilded Cage. The book was very popular and sold well.
LaMarsh also worked as a broadcaster. She had a part-time job with CBC Radio. In 1974, she hosted This Country in the Morning. From 1975 to 1976, she had her own national radio show called Judy. It aired every weekday morning.
In 1975, Ontario Premier William Davis asked her to lead a special commission. This was the Royal Commission on Violence in the Communications Industry. The commission spent two years studying the issue. They made 68 recommendations. Some of these ideas were controversial. For example, they suggested a government agency to control TV content. They also suggested a national council to oversee newspapers. Some groups criticized these ideas, saying they limited free speech.
Later Life and Passing
In 1979, Judy LaMarsh decided to return to law. She opened a practice focusing on family law. In December 1979, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was a serious illness that could not be treated with surgery.
While she was getting treatment, she received a special honor. On July 22, 1980, Governor General Edward Schreyer visited her. He made her an Officer of the Order of Canada at her hospital bed. This is one of Canada's highest honors.
A few months later, she passed away on October 27, 1980. She was 55 years old. Her death was just days before the 20th anniversary of her first election win.
Funeral and Legacy
Her funeral was held in Niagara Falls on October 29, 1980. About 300 friends and important people attended. Six women carried her coffin. These included broadcaster Barbara Frum and former Liberal leader candidate Paul Hellyer. She was buried next to her parents in Niagara Falls. Her resting place was near the historic Battle of Lundy's Lane battlefield.
Archives
There is a collection of Judy LaMarsh's papers and records. These are kept at Library and Archives Canada.
