Ron Irwin

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

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

The Honourable Ron Irwin PC CM QC
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland
In office September 4, 1998 – 2001
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Jean Chrétien
Preceded by	Michael B. Phillips
Succeeded by	William Gusen (chargé d'affaires)
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
In office November 4, 1993 – June 10, 1997
Prime Minister	Jean Chrétien
Preceded by	Pauline Browes
Succeeded by	Jane Stewart
Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
In office October 25, 1993 – June 1, 1997
Preceded by	Steve Butland
Succeeded by	Carmen Provenzano
In office February 18, 1980 – September 3, 1984
Preceded by	Cyril Symes
Succeeded by	James Kelleher
20th Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
In office December 1972 – December 1974
Preceded by	John Rhodes
Succeeded by	Nick Trbovich
Sault Ste. Marie Alderman, Ward 1
In office December 1968 – December 1972
Preceded by	Frank Shunock
Succeeded by	William Hrynuik
Personal details
Born	Ronald Albert Irwin (1936-10-29)October 29, 1936 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Died	December 5, 2020(2020-12-05) (aged 84)
Political party	Liberal
Occupation	Lawyer municipal politician

Early 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.

Irwin was born into a political family, with four members of his family having served in municipal office. His great-grandfather Thomas Irwin had been a councillor in the township of Tarentorus in the 1910s. Two of Irwin's great-uncles, sons of Alfred, had served as well. Thomas Irwin was mayor of the city from 1926 to 1929 and Fred Irwin had been a city alderman around that same time.^[1]

Public service

Irwin was elected to two terms on Sault Ste. Marie city council as an alderman for the city's ward one, in 1968 and 1970.

Following John Rhodes' election to the provincial legislature in October 1971, Irwin chose to seek the mayor's chair for the remainder of the term. Following four rounds of in camera voting by his council colleagues, Irwin was named mayor, edging our three follow aldermen.^[2]

He was returned to the mayors office in the 1973 municipal election, serving a full term ending that ended in January 1975.^[3] He also served as a school trustee, 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 his cabinet as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Irwin 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.

Irwin was made a Member of the Order of Canada on June 25, 1975 with the citation "Former Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie. For his contribution to the improvement of conditions in his city through his dedicated service with many civic groups."^[4]

Death

Irwin died in Sault Ste. Marie on December 5, 2020, at the age of 84.^[5][6] His remains were interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.