Paul Martin was a well-known Canadian politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada and was also known as Paul Martin Sr. Furthermore, this well-known figure is the father of Paul Martin Jr., the 21st Prime Minister of Canada. He first studied law at Harvard before deciding to pursue a career in politics. He was known as the “Father of Medicare” for his work as Minister of National Health and Welfare, when he implemented a slew of public-benefit medical policies. The dedicated politician was a driving force behind the establishment of hospital insurance and the introduction of a federal health grant program to support general public health services, tuberculosis and venereal disease control, mental health care, cancer control, the prevention and control of crippling conditions in children, professional training, public health research, and hospital construction. He also ran for the Liberal Party’s leadership three times, but was unsuccessful each time. He was later appointed Senator and then High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Martin remained an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Windsor until his passing at the age of 89. This well-known politician was also afflicted with polio since childhood, yet he persevered and ascended to tremendous heights in his profession as a result of his unwavering attitude.
Childhood and Adolescence
Paul Martin was born on June 23, 1903, in Ottawa, Ontario, parents Lumina and Joseph Philippe Ernest Martin. He was diagnosed with polio in 1907.
He went to Coll ée Saint-Alexandre in Gatineau, Quebec, before going to the University of Toronto. He graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School with a law degree. He also studied at Geneva’s Graduate Institute of International Studies.
Career of Paul Martin
Paul Martin was a member of Canada’s Liberal Party. For the first time, he was elected to the House of Commons in 1935. But it wasn’t until 1945 that he was appointed to the government.
He was appointed Minister of National Health and Welfare in 1946. During this period, he ensured that thorough polio prevention measures were implemented throughout Canada.
He established a federal health grant system in 1948 to fund general public health services, tuberculosis and venereal disease control, mental health care, cancer control, the prevention and control of crippling conditions in children, professional training, public health research, and hospital construction.
He ran for the Liberal leadership for the first time in 1948, but was unsuccessful. He later stood for Liberal Party leader in 1958 and 1963, but lost both times.
He was instrumental in the passage of the 1957 Hospital Insurance and Diagnostic Services Act, which provided federal financing for health care to provinces that met specific conditions.
Apart from Medicare, Martin served as Secretary of State for External Affairs under Prime Minister Pearson at a time when Canadian forces were acquiring nuclear weapons from the United States.
Martin was nominated to the Senate as the Leader of the Government in the Senate by Prime Minister Trudeau in 1968.
His memoirs, titled ‘A Very Public Life,’ were published in two volumes in 1983 and 1986.
Major Projects of Paul Martin
During his term, he established the health grant system, which served as the foundation for a more comprehensive health insurance scheme for the entire country.
Despite opposition, Martin implemented a universal immunization program in Canada to eliminate the threat of infectious diseases.
Achievements & Awards
In 1976, Paul Martin Sr. was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Even though he was never Prime Minister, Chief Justice, or Governor-General of the country, he was allowed to use the title Right Honourable in 1992 because of his achievements.
Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver also bestowed honorary degrees on him.
Personal History and Legacy
He had two children with Eleanor ‘Nelly’ Adams: Paul Martin Jr. and Mary Anne.
Paul Martin Jr., his notable son, was born in 1938 and served as Prime Minister of Canada from 2003 to 2006.
At the age of 89, he died on September 14, 1992.
The Right Honourable Paul Martin Sr. Award was established in 1988 to honor this politician and lawyer.
The Windsor Post Office Building was named after him in 1994.
Dean Paul Martin Jr. Net Worth
Dean is one of the richest Family Member & listed on most popular Family Member. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Dean Paul Martin Jr. net worth is approximately $1.5 Million.
Trivia
This distinguished Canadian politician served in the administrations of four Canadian Prime Ministers: William Lyon Mackenzie King, Louis St. Laurent, Lester B. Pearson, and Pierre Trudeau, among others.
This notable Canadian politician’s kid was also impacted by polio in 1946, in addition to waging his own battle with the disease.
This Canadian politician was seen as a member of the party’s left wing, while his more famous son was regarded as a member of the right wing.