Max Saltsman
Encyclopedia
Samuel Mayer "Max" Saltsman (29 May 1921 – 28 November 1985) was a Canadian
businessman and politician for the social-democratic New Democratic Party
, and served as a Member of Parliament
(MP) for the Waterloo South
, Waterloo
and Waterloo–Cambridge
electoral districts from 1964-1979. He quit federal politics in 1979 and worked as a policy advisor until shortly before his death in 1985.
The son of Samuel and Sara (née Krier) Saltsman, he was born Samuel Mayer Saltsman on 29 May 1921 in Toronto
, but was known as "Max" since he was a young child. He was educated in Spadina area schools, finally leaving Central Technical School
at age 14 to get a job to help support his family. He studied part-time, after work hours, and eventually earned his high school credits. He never completed university, but did take courses on and off since he started correspondencecourses while serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force
(RCAF), and continued on through to his years in parliament. Saltsman served in France
, the Netherlands
, and Germany
with the RCAF during World War II
. In 1947, he married Dorothy Gellman. He was president of Galt Dry Cleaning Services and Eastern Coin Operated Enterprise.
He was first elected to the House of Commons in a 1964 by-election held following the death of MP Gordon Chaplin
, and was re-elected in 1965, 1968, 1972 and 1974. Saltsman was the NDP critic for Finance and National Revenue from 1976 to 1977. Saltsman drafted a private member's bill that proposed that Canada annex the Turks and Caicos Islands
; however, it was never submitted to a vote.
Prior to federal office, he was an alderman
in Galt, Ontario from 1961 to 1964. In 1982, he was named to Bill Davis
' Inflation Restraint Board. Saltsman planned to return to municipal politics as a councillor-at-large for Cambridge
in 1985, but cancelled these plans at a public news conference on 21 October, where he announced he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer
. Saltsman died in Toronto's Wellesley Hospital on 28 November, two-weeks after the Cambridge municipal election was held.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman and politician for the social-democratic New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
, and served as a Member of Parliament
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
(MP) for the Waterloo South
Waterloo South
Waterloo South was a federal electoral district and a provincial electoral district.Federally, it was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1968. It was located in the province of Ontario...
, Waterloo
Waterloo (electoral district)
Waterloo was a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1968 to 1979. From 1973 to 1976, it was known as Waterloo—Cambridge...
and Waterloo–Cambridge
Waterloo (electoral district)
Waterloo was a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1968 to 1979. From 1973 to 1976, it was known as Waterloo—Cambridge...
electoral districts from 1964-1979. He quit federal politics in 1979 and worked as a policy advisor until shortly before his death in 1985.
The son of Samuel and Sara (née Krier) Saltsman, he was born Samuel Mayer Saltsman on 29 May 1921 in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, but was known as "Max" since he was a young child. He was educated in Spadina area schools, finally leaving Central Technical School
Central Technical School
Central Technical School is a composite high school located at 725 Bathurst Street at Harbord Street in Toronto, Canada.C.T.S. offers a wide range of programs, including all core academic courses, as well as concentration and specialization in visual arts and technical studies. C.T.S...
at age 14 to get a job to help support his family. He studied part-time, after work hours, and eventually earned his high school credits. He never completed university, but did take courses on and off since he started correspondencecourses while serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
(RCAF), and continued on through to his years in parliament. Saltsman served in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with the RCAF during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1947, he married Dorothy Gellman. He was president of Galt Dry Cleaning Services and Eastern Coin Operated Enterprise.
He was first elected to the House of Commons in a 1964 by-election held following the death of MP Gordon Chaplin
Gordon Chaplin
Gordon Chaplin was a Progressive Conservative party member of the Canadian House of Commons. He was born in St. Catharines, Ontario and became a businessman and manufacturer by career....
, and was re-elected in 1965, 1968, 1972 and 1974. Saltsman was the NDP critic for Finance and National Revenue from 1976 to 1977. Saltsman drafted a private member's bill that proposed that Canada annex the Turks and Caicos Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union consisting of two groups of tropical islands in the Caribbean, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, known for tourism and as an offshore financial centre.The Turks and...
; however, it was never submitted to a vote.
Prior to federal office, he was an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in Galt, Ontario from 1961 to 1964. In 1982, he was named to Bill Davis
Bill Davis
William Grenville "Bill" Davis, was the 18th Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1971 to 1985. Davis was first elected as the MPP for Peel in the 1959 provincial election where he was a backbencher in Leslie Frost's government. Under John Robarts, he was a cabinet minister overseeing the education...
' Inflation Restraint Board. Saltsman planned to return to municipal politics as a councillor-at-large for Cambridge
Cambridge, Ontario
Cambridge is a city located in Southern Ontario at the confluence of the Grand and Speed rivers in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is an amalgamation of the City of Galt, the towns of Preston and Hespeler, and the hamlet of Blair.Galt covers the largest portion of...
in 1985, but cancelled these plans at a public news conference on 21 October, where he announced he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer
Liver cancer
Liver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
. Saltsman died in Toronto's Wellesley Hospital on 28 November, two-weeks after the Cambridge municipal election was held.