Ron Irwin

For the Australian footballer, see Ron Irwin (footballer).

The Honourable Ron Irwin CM PC QC
MP for Sault Ste. Marie
In office 1980–1984
Preceded by	Cyril Symes
Succeeded by	James Kelleher
In office 1993–1997
Preceded by	Steve Butland
Succeeded by	Carmen Provenzano
Personal details
Born	October 29, 1936 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Died	December 5, 2020(2020-12-05) (aged 84)
Political party	Liberal
Occupation	lawyer, municipal politician

Ronald A. Irwin CM PC QC (October 29, 1936 – December 5, 2020) was a Canadian diplomat and politician.

Life

Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Irwin earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University. While at the University of Western Ontario he joined the Sigma Kappa Sigma chapter of Delta Upsilon. From 1972 to 1974, he was mayor of Sault Ste. Marie. He also served as a school trustee, alderman and director of the local Chamber of Commerce. From 1977 to 1980, he was a member of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Irwin was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1980 federal election as a Liberal. He served as parliamentary secretary to Jean Chrétien while the latter was Justice Minister. Irwin was defeated in the 1984 election but returned to Parliament in the 1993 election.

When the Liberals returned to power as a result of the 1993 election, Chrétien, now Prime Minister of Canada, appointed Irwin to the Cabinet as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. He retired from parliament in 1997.

Irwin served as a personal advisor to Prime Minister Chrétien from 1997 to 1998. He was appointed Canadian Ambassador to Ireland in 1998, and served until 2001. In 2001, Irwin was appointed Canada’s Consul General to Boston.

In 1975, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. He died on December 5, 2020, at the age of 84.

External links

• Ron Irwin – Parliament of Canada biography