Ron Ritchie
Encyclopedia
Ronald Stuart Ritchie, CM
(July 4, 1918 - August 18, 2007) was an economist, business leader, public servant, writer, and politician. He is best-known for his role in founding the Institute for Research on Public Policy
, but also served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons
during the Joe Clark
government.
before earning a Bachelor of Arts
in Economics
and Political Science
from the University of Western Ontario
. He subsequently earned a Master of Arts
from Queen's University
.
Ritchie served on the Canadian Wartime Prices and Trade Board during the Second World War. In 1947, he joined Imperial Oil
, where he remained into the 1970s, eventually reaching the level of senior vice president and member of the board of directors. During his time with Imperial Oil, he continued to publish papers on subjects ranging from petroleum economics to military policy to higher education.
From 1960 until 1962, he was the executive director of the Royal Commission on Government Organization (the Glassco Commission), which recommended a decentralized organizational model for the federal government. He served on the University of Guelph
board of governors from 1965 until 1971, and as the body's chair for the last three years.
, Pierre Trudeau
committed to conducting a feasibility study into establishing a new public affairs research institute in Canada. He asked Ritchie to prepare a report on the subject.
After sitting on the report for several years (during which time Ritchie said that he was considering acting on it himself until he was dissuaded by Clerk of the Privy Council
Gordon Robertson
, who assured him that the report was receiving consideration,) Trudeau authorized the body's creation and asked Ritchie to lead the group of "distinguished citizens" who would apply for incorporation. The Institute for Research on Public Policy
was established.
businessman), Louis Desrochers (an Edmonton
lawyer), Louis Lorrain (a Montreal
labour organizer), Joseph MacNeil (Bishop of Saint John, New Brunswick
), former Ontario premier John Robarts
, and journalist (and later Governor General) Jeanne Sauvé
as members. Ritchie was elected chair, and took an active role in fundraising for the institute (the federal government had agreed to the ten million dollar endowment, but only on a matching basis). Ritchie later remarked that he did so "wearing[his] Imperial Oil hat, because that carried more weight in some of the circles where money was to be had." He also participated in selecting the site for the institute's headquarters (Montreal
, to the consternation of the prairie premiers) and in hiring the first president, University of Calgary
president Fred Carrothers
, who took office in June 1974. By that time, however, Ritchie had decided to leave the institute and enter politics.
as the Progressive Conservative
candidate in the riding of Algoma, finishing third of four candidates (Liberal
Maurice Foster
took more than half the vote, while New Democrat
Hughene MacDonald finished a hundred votes ahead of Ritchie). He was victorious in the 1979 federal election
, when he won a field of seven candidates in York East
, unseating incumbent Liberal David Collenette
.
During his time in the Canadian House of Commons
, Ritchie was Parliamentary Secretary
to Minister of Finance
John Crosbie
. He also served on the standing committees on Finance, Trade, and Economic Affairs and on Public Accounts.
He was defeated by Collenette in the 1980 election
. Besides a failed attempt to win the Progressive Conservative nomination in Broadview—Greenwood for a 1982 by-election, his political career was over.
from 1983 until 1986 and as a member of the Atlantic Council
of Canada during the 1980s. He also served as a member of the Canadian Ditchley Foundation
. He remained active in the Club of Rome
(he had co-founded its Canadian association in 1973 - and served as its chair from 1980 until 1983 - after a long history with the international body).
In 1990, Ritchie published Canadian Pacific's Montreal Lakeshore Commuter Service, Volume One (ISBN 0919487335), a history of commuter train
s used on Montreal.
In 2002 he received the first ever Roland Lutes Memorial Award for extraordinary service to the Institute for Research on Public Policy
.
He was admitted as a member of the Order of Canada
on June 10, 2005.
Ronald Ritchie died August 18, 2007.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(July 4, 1918 - August 18, 2007) was an economist, business leader, public servant, writer, and politician. He is best-known for his role in founding the Institute for Research on Public Policy
Institute for Research on Public Policy
The Institute for Research on Public Policy is Canada's oldest non-partisan public policy think tank. Based in Montreal and founded in 1972, it publishes Policy Options, edited by L. Ian MacDonald...
, but also served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons
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...
during the Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
government.
Early life
Ritchie was born July 4, 1918 in Charing Cross, Ontario. He graduated from the Central Collegiate High School in London, OntarioLondon, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
before earning a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
. He subsequently earned a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
.
Ritchie served on the Canadian Wartime Prices and Trade Board during the Second World War. In 1947, he joined Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil Limited is Canada's largest petroleum company. The company is engaged in the exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. It is controlled by US based ExxonMobil, which owns 69.6% of its stock...
, where he remained into the 1970s, eventually reaching the level of senior vice president and member of the board of directors. During his time with Imperial Oil, he continued to publish papers on subjects ranging from petroleum economics to military policy to higher education.
From 1960 until 1962, he was the executive director of the Royal Commission on Government Organization (the Glassco Commission), which recommended a decentralized organizational model for the federal government. He served on the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
board of governors from 1965 until 1971, and as the body's chair for the last three years.
The Institute for Research on Public Policy
In his first Speech from the ThroneSpeech from the Throne
A speech from the throne is an event in certain monarchies in which the reigning sovereign reads a prepared speech to a complete session of parliament, outlining the government's agenda for the coming session...
, Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
committed to conducting a feasibility study into establishing a new public affairs research institute in Canada. He asked Ritchie to prepare a report on the subject.
The Ritchie Report
Ritchie's report, delivered in December 1969 and published in 1971, called for the creation of such an institute. He recommended that the body be autonomous from the government, and suggested that the Prime Minister "ask a small number of distinguished citizens...to seek incorporation of the proposed institute under the Canada Corporations Act." He further proposed a ten million dollar endowment from the federal government, supplemented by funds from the provincial governments and private sector, to serve as a source of base revenue for the institute, with half of its annual revenue coming from government contracts, grants from foundations and corporations, and sale of publications. Finally, he emphasized that the target audience for the institute's research should be politicians and public servants rather than academics.After sitting on the report for several years (during which time Ritchie said that he was considering acting on it himself until he was dissuaded by Clerk of the Privy Council
Clerk of the Privy Council (Canada)
The Clerk of the Privy Council is the senior civil servant in the Canadian government. The Title and Office is in fact "Clerk of the Privy Council and the Secretary to the Cabinet"...
Gordon Robertson
Robert Gordon Robertson
Robert Gordon Robertson, PC, CC, FRSC was Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from November 15, 1953 to July 12, 1963 who, having been sworn in at the age of 36, remains the youngest person to ever hold the office...
, who assured him that the report was receiving consideration,) Trudeau authorized the body's creation and asked Ritchie to lead the group of "distinguished citizens" who would apply for incorporation. The Institute for Research on Public Policy
Institute for Research on Public Policy
The Institute for Research on Public Policy is Canada's oldest non-partisan public policy think tank. Based in Montreal and founded in 1972, it publishes Policy Options, edited by L. Ian MacDonald...
was established.
Chair of the Board of Directors
Ritchie selected J.V. Clyne (a VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
businessman), Louis Desrochers (an Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
lawyer), Louis Lorrain (a Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
labour organizer), Joseph MacNeil (Bishop of Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
), former Ontario premier John Robarts
John Robarts
John Parmenter Robarts, PC, CC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and statesman, and the 17th Premier of Ontario.-Early life:...
, and journalist (and later Governor General) Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Sauvé
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé was a Canadian journalist, politician, and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 23rd since Canadian Confederation....
as members. Ritchie was elected chair, and took an active role in fundraising for the institute (the federal government had agreed to the ten million dollar endowment, but only on a matching basis). Ritchie later remarked that he did so "wearing
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, to the consternation of the prairie premiers) and in hiring the first president, University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
president Fred Carrothers
Alfred Carrothers
Alfred William Rooke "Fred" Carrothers was a Canadian lawyer, arbitrator, and academic, working in the field of Law.Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the son of W. A...
, who took office in June 1974. By that time, however, Ritchie had decided to leave the institute and enter politics.
Political career
Ritchie ran in the 1974 electionCanadian federal election, 1974
The Canadian federal election of 1974 was held on July 8, 1974 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 30th Parliament of Canada. The governing Liberal Party won its first majority government since 1968, and gave Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau his third term...
as the Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
candidate in the riding of Algoma, finishing third of four candidates (Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
Maurice Foster
Maurice Foster
Maurice Brydon Foster was a former Canadian veterinarian and politician. He represented the electoral district of Algoma in the Canadian House of Commons from 1968 to 1993...
took more than half the vote, while New Democrat
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...
Hughene MacDonald finished a hundred votes ahead of Ritchie). He was victorious in the 1979 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1979
The Canadian federal election of 1979 was held on May 22, 1979 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 31st Parliament of Canada. It resulted in the defeat of Liberal Party of Canada after 11 years in power under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Joe Clark led the Progressive...
, when he won a field of seven candidates in York East
York East
York East was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons at different times, and a provincial electoral district. It was located in the province of Ontario.-Federal electoral district :...
, unseating incumbent Liberal David Collenette
David Collenette
David Michael Collenette, PC was a Canadian politician from 1974 to 2004, and a member of the Liberal Party of Canada. A graduate from York University's Glendon College in 1969, he subsequently received his MA from in 2004...
.
During his time in the Canadian House of Commons
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...
, Ritchie was Parliamentary Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary
A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with his or her duties.In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to...
to Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (Canada)
The Minister of Finance is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible each year for presenting the federal government's budget...
John Crosbie
John Crosbie
John Carnell Crosbie, PC, OC, ONL, QC is a retired provincial and federal politician and the 12th Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada...
. He also served on the standing committees on Finance, Trade, and Economic Affairs and on Public Accounts.
He was defeated by Collenette in the 1980 election
Canadian federal election, 1980
The Canadian federal election of 1980 was held on February 18, 1980 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 32nd Parliament of Canada...
. Besides a failed attempt to win the Progressive Conservative nomination in Broadview—Greenwood for a 1982 by-election, his political career was over.
Later life
After leaving politics Ritchie served as chief executive officer of the Canadian Depository for SecuritiesCanadian Depository for Securities
The Canadian Depository for Securities Ltd. is the world’s second largest post-trade financial services company. It is the holding company for four operating subsidiaries: CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., CDS Securities Management Solutions Inc., CDS INC., and CDS Innovations Inc.CDS...
from 1983 until 1986 and as a member of the Atlantic Council
Atlantic Council
The Atlantic Council is a Washington, D.C. think tank and public policy group whose mission is to "promote constructive U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting the international challenges of the 21st...
of Canada during the 1980s. He also served as a member of the Canadian Ditchley Foundation
Ditchley Foundation
The Ditchley Foundation is a British organisation based at Ditchley House near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, which aims to promote international relations, especially Anglo-American relations, through a programme of around fifteen annual conferences on matters of international interest...
. He remained active in the Club of Rome
Club of Rome
The Club of Rome is a global think tank that deals with a variety of international political issues. Founded in 1968 at Accademia dei Lincei in Rome, Italy, the CoR describes itself as "a group of world citizens, sharing a common concern for the future of humanity." It consists of current and...
(he had co-founded its Canadian association in 1973 - and served as its chair from 1980 until 1983 - after a long history with the international body).
In 1990, Ritchie published Canadian Pacific's Montreal Lakeshore Commuter Service, Volume One (ISBN 0919487335), a history of commuter train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s used on Montreal.
In 2002 he received the first ever Roland Lutes Memorial Award for extraordinary service to the Institute for Research on Public Policy
Institute for Research on Public Policy
The Institute for Research on Public Policy is Canada's oldest non-partisan public policy think tank. Based in Montreal and founded in 1972, it publishes Policy Options, edited by L. Ian MacDonald...
.
He was admitted as a member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
on June 10, 2005.
Ronald Ritchie died August 18, 2007.
Selected writings
- Oil in World affairs. Toronto, 1951.
- NATO, the Economics of an Alliance TorontoTorontoToronto 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...
, ONOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
: Ryerson Press, 1956. - Problems of a Defence Policy for Canada. International Journal, Vol. XIV, No. 3 (Summer, 1959)
- Viewpoint: The Need for Continuing Education, Canadian Personnel & Industrial Relations Journal. August, 1961.
- An Institute for Research on Public Policy. Toronto: Information Canada, 1971.
- Public Policies Affecting Petroleum Development in Canada, Canadian Journal of Economics, 1(1), Winter 1975, pp. 66–75
- Oil Self-Sufficiency for Canada?, Canadian Journal of Economics, 6(3), Summer 1980, pp. 463–471.
- Canadian Pacific's Montreal Lakeshore Commuter Service, Volume One, British Railway Modellers of North America, 1990, (ISBN 0919487335)