A silver medallist in the 1976 Canadian Ski Championship, Martha Hall Findlay transitioned from professional sports to a career spanning corporate law, entrepreneurship, and federal politics. Born in Toronto in 1959, she demonstrated academic acceleration by graduating from high school at fifteen before pursuing degrees in international relations and law, eventually becoming a prominent voice in Canadian public policy.
Early Development and Legal Practice
After graduating from high school early, Hall Findlay balanced athletic competition with academic pursuits at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School. While raising three children, she earned her law degree in 1987. Her early professional life included six years at the international firm Baker McKenzie. She later pivoted into the telecommunications sector, serving as general counsel for Bell Mobility and Mobility Canada, and subsequently founded The General Counsel Group, a consultancy specializing in high-tech markets.
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Hall Findlay entered federal politics as a Liberal Party candidate. In 2008, she won a by-election in the Toronto riding of Willowdale, securing nearly 60 per cent of the vote to replace resigning MP Jim Peterson. She retained her seat in the 2008 general election but was defeated in 2011. Throughout her tenure in the House of Commons, she remained a visible figure within the party, having previously run for the leadership in 2006.
Policy and Think Tank Leadership
Following her time in parliament, Hall Findlay shifted her focus toward policy development and corporate sustainability. She served as president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation and held the role of Chief Sustainability Officer at Suncor Energy. Currently, she serves as the Director and James S. and Barbara A. Palmer Chair at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, where she also contributes as an Executive Fellow.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, Toronto, Canada
- Education: University of Toronto, Osgoode Hall Law School
- Served as MP for Willowdale: 2008–2011
- Leadership candidate, Liberal Party of Canada: 2006, 2013
- Former President and CEO: Canada West Foundation
- Current position: Director, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary
Questions readers ask
What were Martha Hall Findlay's primary roles in politics?
She served as the Liberal MP for Willowdale from 2008 to 2011 and was a leadership candidate for the Liberal Party in 2006 and 2013.
Where does she currently work?
She is the Director and James S. and Barbara A. Palmer Chair at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary.
Achievements
- Educated at University of Toronto and York University
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