Ron Irwin

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

• Lawyer
• municipal politician

The Honourable Ron Irwin CM PC QC
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland
In office September 4, 1998 –2001

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.

He served two terms on Sault Ste. Marie city council as an alderman for ward one, elected in 1968 and 1970. In 1972 he was elected mayor of Sault Ste. Marie and served in that role for one term ending in 1974. ^[1] 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.

In 1975, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.

Irwin died in Sault Ste. Marie on December 5, 2020, at the age of 84. ^{[2] [3]}

References

1. "Ron Irwin, former Sault Ste. Marie mayor and Liberal cabinet minister, dies at 84". CBC News . Retrieved December 6, 2020.
2. "Ron Irwin passes away at age 84". SooToday. December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
3. Northwood Funeral Home. "Obituary of Ronald Irwin". Northwood Funeral Home. Retrieved February 6, 2025.

External links

• Ron Irwin – Parliament of Canada biography

26th Ministry – Cabinet of Jean Chrétien
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Pauline Browes	Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development 1993–1997	Jane Stewart