Paul Dewar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Dewar
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| Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre |
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| In office January 23, 2006 – August 4, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Broadbent |
| Succeeded by | Catherine McKenna |
| First Vice-President of the Ottawa-Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation | |
| In office 2004–2006 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Paul Wilson Dewar
January 25, 1963 Ottawa, Ontario |
| Died | February 6, 2019 (aged 56) Ottawa, Ontario |
| Political party | New Democratic Party |
| Relations | Marion Dewar (mother) |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation | Labour and social activist, teacher, union officer |
| Committees |
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Paul Wilson Dewar (January 25, 1963 – February 6, 2019) was a Canadian teacher and politician from Ottawa, Ontario. He was a New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Ottawa Centre.
Paul Dewar was first chosen to be an MP in the 2006 federal election. He worked as the Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs. This means he was the main spokesperson for his party on international issues. He left this job in 2011 to try and become the leader of the NDP. Paul Dewar lost his seat in the 2015 federal election. Before becoming an MP, he was a teacher and a leader in the Ottawa-Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation.
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About Paul Dewar
Paul Dewar was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on January 25, 1963. His mother, Marion Dewar, was a former mayor of Ottawa and also an MP. When Paul was in grade three, he found reading and writing difficult. He was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning difference that affects reading.
Paul studied political science and economics at Carleton University. After finishing university in 1985, he traveled to Nicaragua. There, he volunteered as an aid worker, helping people in need. When he returned to Ottawa, he worked for Evelyn Gigantes, a politician. During this time, he met his wife, Julia Sneyd. They later had two children, Nathaniel and Jordan.
Paul also earned a teaching degree from Queen's University in 1994. He became an elementary school teacher. He taught at D. Roy Kennedy Public School and Hopewell Avenue Public School. He was especially good at working with students with special needs. Because of this, Queen's University gave him an award.
While teaching, Paul became very involved with his union, the Ottawa-Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation (OCETF). He helped lead the union, becoming First Vice-President in 2004. He also helped create a fund that supports charities in developing countries. In 2006, he took a break from his union work to run in the federal election.
Paul was also active in his community. He helped organize a forum about public education. He was involved with groups that worked to protect the environment and support immigrants.
In February 2018, Paul Dewar had surgery for a brain tumour. He was diagnosed with a serious type of brain cancer called glioblastoma. Paul Dewar passed away from his illness on February 6, 2019.
Paul Dewar's Political Career
Becoming a Candidate
Paul Dewar first tried to become the NDP candidate for Ottawa Centre in the 2004 federal election. However, former NDP leader Ed Broadbent also decided to run for the nomination. A "nomination" is when a political party chooses who will represent them in an election. Ed Broadbent won the nomination that year. Paul Dewar then volunteered to help Broadbent's election campaign.
Later, Ed Broadbent decided not to run again. Paul Dewar then won the nomination to be the NDP candidate for Ottawa Centre on June 22, 2005. He won on the first try, beating other candidates.
As a Member of Parliament
Paul Dewar won the 2006 election and became a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the Canadian Parliament.
He was re-elected in the 2008 federal election by a large number of votes. He won again in the 2011 federal election, getting 52% of the votes. After the 2011 election, the NDP became the Official Opposition. This means they were the second-largest party in Parliament. Paul Dewar was then named the Critic for Foreign Affairs.
As Foreign Affairs Critic, Paul Dewar spoke about Canada's role in the world. He supported a United Nations treaty to control the trade of weapons. He believed the treaty should include all small weapons, not just large ones. He also disagreed with the government's decision to close Canada's embassy in Iran.
In March 2014, Paul Dewar was one of thirteen Canadians who were not allowed to travel to Russia. This was part of a response by Russian President Vladimir Putin to sanctions placed on Russia.
Paul Dewar lost his seat in the 2015 federal election to Catherine McKenna from the Liberal Party.
Running for NDP Leader
After the death of NDP leader Jack Layton in 2011, Paul Dewar decided to run to become the new leader of the New Democratic Party. A "leadership election" is when party members choose who will lead their party. Paul Dewar was considered one of the main candidates. However, he was not very fluent in French, which was seen as a challenge.
In the leadership election, Paul Dewar finished fifth out of seven candidates. After the first round of voting, he stopped his campaign.
Electoral History Summary
Paul Dewar was elected as a Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre in 2006, 2008, and 2011. He lost his seat in the 2015 federal election.
