Paul Martin Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Martin
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Martin Sr. in 1943
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| Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom | |
| In office October 31, 1974 – November 1, 1979 |
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| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau Joe Clark |
| Preceded by | Jake Warren |
| Succeeded by | Jean Casselman Wadds |
| Secretary of State for External Affairs | |
| In office April 22, 1963 – April 19, 1968 |
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| Prime Minister | Lester B. Pearson |
| Preceded by | Howard Charles Green |
| Succeeded by | Mitchell Sharp |
| Minister of National Health and Welfare | |
| In office December 12, 1946 – June 20, 1957 |
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| Prime Minister | Louis St. Laurent W. L. Mackenzie King |
| Preceded by | Brooke Claxton |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Johnson Brooks (Acting) |
| Minister of Labour | |
| Acting August 2, 1950 – August 6, 1950 |
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| Prime Minister | Louis St. Laurent |
| Preceded by | Humphrey Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Milton Fowler Gregg |
| Secretary of State for Canada | |
| In office April 18, 1945 – December 11, 1946 |
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| Prime Minister | W. L. Mackenzie King |
| Preceded by | Norman Alexander McLarty |
| Succeeded by | Colin W. G. Gibson |
| Senator for Windsor—Walkerville, Ontario | |
| In office April 20, 1968 – October 30, 1974 |
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| Appointed by | Pierre Trudeau |
| Member of Parliament for Essex East |
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| In office October 14, 1935 – April 19, 1968 |
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| Preceded by | Raymond Morand |
| Succeeded by | Riding abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph James Guillaume Paul Martin
June 23, 1903 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | September 14, 1992 (aged 89) Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse |
Eleanor Alice "Nelly" Adams
(m. 1937) |
| Children | 2, including Paul Martin |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto Osgoode Hall Law School Graduate Institute of International Studies |
| Occupation |
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Joseph James Guillaume Paul Martin (June 23, 1903 – September 14, 1992), often called Paul Martin Sr., was an important Canadian politician and diplomat. He was the father of Paul Martin, who later became the 21st prime minister of Canada from 2003 to 2006. Paul Martin Sr. played a big role in shaping Canada's healthcare system and foreign policy.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Paul Martin Sr. was born in Ottawa, Ontario. His family had roots in both Ireland and French Canadian history.
When he was four years old, in 1907, Martin got polio. This illness caused him to be permanently blind in one eye and weakened his left arm.
He grew up in Pembroke, Ontario, but went to high school in Gatineau, Quebec. He then studied at the University of Toronto and earned a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. He also studied international relations in Geneva, Switzerland. After his studies, he started his own law practice in Windsor, Ontario.
A Career in Politics
Serving as a Member of Parliament
Paul Martin Sr. was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 1935. This is where elected representatives debate and make laws for Canada. He joined the Cabinet in 1945. The Cabinet is a group of top government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister.
He worked with four different Prime Ministers: William Lyon Mackenzie King, Louis St. Laurent, Lester B. Pearson, and Pierre Trudeau.
Martin was known for his progressive ideas. As the Minister of National Health and Welfare from 1946 to 1957, he helped fight polio. He also oversaw the creation of hospital insurance in Canada. Many people see him as one of the "fathers of medicare" in Canada. Medicare is Canada's public healthcare system.
Later, as Secretary of State for External Affairs (Canada's foreign minister), he worked on important international issues. He helped Canada get U.S. nuclear weapons for its military.
Trying for Leadership
Paul Martin Sr. wanted to become the leader of the Liberal Party and, in turn, Prime Minister. He ran for the party's leadership three times: in 1948, 1958, and 1968. However, he was defeated each time by other strong leaders like Louis St. Laurent, Lester B. Pearson, and Pierre Trudeau.
Becoming a Senator and Diplomat
In 1968, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau appointed Martin to the Senate. Senators are appointed, not elected, and they review laws passed by the House of Commons. He served as the Leader of the Government in the Senate until 1974.
After his time in the Senate, he became the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. A High Commissioner is like an ambassador, representing Canada in another country. He also served as the chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University from 1972 to 1977. The university later named the Paul Martin Centre in his honour. Until his death, he also taught political science at the University of Windsor.
He wrote his life story in two books called A Very Public Life, published in 1983 and 1986.
Honours and Legacy
In 1976, Paul Martin Sr. was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest civilian honours, recognizing outstanding achievement.
In 1992, he was given the right to use the special title Right Honourable. This is a very rare honour for someone who has not been a Prime Minister, Governor-General, or Chief Justice of Canada. He passed away on September 14, 1992, at 89 years old.
His legacy continues in places like the University of Windsor, which has a Paul Martin Chair in law and political science. The City of Windsor also named the Paul Martin Sr. Building in his honour in 1994.
Archives
There is a collection of Paul Joseph Martin's papers and records at Library and Archives Canada.
See also
- Vive le Québec libre speech
- Paul Martin
