Tom Axworthy
Encyclopedia
Thomas Sidney Axworthy, OC
(born May 23, 1947, in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian
civil servant, political strategist, writer and professor. He is best known for having served as Principal Secretary
and Chief Speechwriter to Canadian
Prime Minister
Pierre Trudeau
. Axworthy is currently the President and CEO of the of the Walter and Duncan Gordan Foundation
, Chair of the Centre for the Study of Democracy
(CSD), Secretary General of the InterAction Council, and an Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario
, Canada
. He is the younger brother of Lloyd Axworthy
.
degree (Hons) from the University of Winnipeg
and an MA
degree (1972) as well as returning to complete a PhD
degree (1979) from Queen’s University. He is married, has two children, two grandchildren. Dr. Axworthy currently lives in Toronto
, Ontario
and travels often to Winnipeg
.
in the early 1960s, Axworthy worked as a research assistant for the Task Force on the Structure of the Canadian Economy, led by Walter Gordon
. This was the first opportunity for Axworthy to work with Canada’s economic, social and industrial policies in depth, and influenced future thinking about such issues.
In 1974, Axworthy began his first political job, joining the Office of the Minister of National Revenue
as a Special Assistant on various policy issues. A year later, he was hired with the Prime Minister’s Office
(PMO) under Principal Secretary
Jim Coutts
as a political strategist and policy advisor to Prime Minister
Pierre Trudeau
. In 1979, with the defeat of the Liberals by Joe Clark
, Axworthy worked in the Leader of the Opposition’s Office as Acting Director and Senior Policy Advisor.
With the defeat of Clark’s minority government, Axworthy returned to the Prime Minister’s Office as Senior Policy Advisor, and was appointed Principal Secretary
to Pierre Trudeau
in 1981, a position which he held until 1984. During this time, he was a key strategist in the Repatriation of the Constitution
and the National Energy Program
.
, before being appointed as the visiting Mackenzie King Chair of Canadian Studies at Harvard University
in 1985. Axworthy rejoined the Kennedy School of Government
the following year, working on the Canadian Program at the Centre for International Affairs. He was appointed as an adjunct lecturer at the Kennedy School in 1991, and continued to teach at Harvard until returning to Canada in 2003 as an adjunct lecturer at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University.
While at Harvard, Axworthy co-drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities with world-renowned theologian Hans Küng
, a major project of the InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government
.
During his time at Harvard, Axworthy also served as Vice-President and then Executive Director for the Charles R. Bronfman Foundation. The Foundation, during this time, created the well-known “Heritage Minute
” series of commercials, which explored various aspects of Canadian History, which were released on television and movie theatres. In 1999, Axworthy helped create and raise funds for the Historica Foundation, becoming its Executive Director. The Foundation aimed to improve the teaching and learning of Canadian history. In recognition of his outstanding achievement and service in the field of history and heritage, Axworthy was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
in 2002. In 2005, Axworthy resigned as Executive Director of the Historica Foundation.
's minority Liberal Government in January, 2006, Axworthy was appointed co-chair of the Liberal Party Renewal Commission, which was charged with re-thinking every aspect of the Liberal Party
's policies and structure. The Commission created 32 taskforces that were charged with examining each aspect of the party. The Commission reported just prior to the Liberal Leadership Convention of December 2–3, 2006, urging a return to its liberal philosophical roots, to refocus on developing and electrifying its membership, and to rethink many of the fundamental policies that have informed Liberal policy. Specific recommendations that emerged from the Commission included a Thinker's Conference, in order to developing a new platform for the party, a Council of Riding Presidents, which would represent the membership of the party in years between conventions, as well as a Day of Deliberation, in which Liberal Party Members across the country would be asked to debate and vote on policies in each of their ridings.
Until 2009, Axworthy was the Chair and Executive Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy
.
In 2009, Axworthy was asked to Chair the Advisory Task Force on Democracy Promotion for the Minister of Democratic Reform, the Hon. Steven Fletcher
. The unanimous report of the Task Force is currently being considered by the Government
.
, Axworthy stayed on as Chairman of the Board of the Centre.
Axworthy appears regularly on television and radio as a political analyst. He also frequently contributes to various Academic Journals, magazines and newspapers, especially the Toronto Star
. He has also edited a number of books, most notably Towards a Just Society: The Trudeau Years, which he co-edited with Pierre Trudeau
in 1990.
Most recently, Dr. Axworthy has been appointed the Secretary General of the InterAction Council which he has been an associate member of since 2008, but has been closely involved with since 1995. The InterAction Council is "is an international organization whose objective is to address long-term, global issues facing humankind. Co-Chaired by the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
(Prime Minister of Canada
, 1993-2003) and Dr. Franz Vranitzky
(Chancellor of Austria
, 1986-1997), the Council is composed of more than thirty former heads of state who jointly develop proposals for action and submit them directly to national and international decision-makers."
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...
(born May 23, 1947, in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian
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...
civil servant, political strategist, writer and professor. He is best known for having served as Principal Secretary
Principal Secretary (Canada)
In Canada the Principal Secretary is a senior aide, often the most senior political aide, to a head of government. Formerly the position of Principal Secretary was the most senior in the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, though since 1987 it is second to the Chief of Staff...
and Chief Speechwriter to Canadian
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...
Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
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,...
. Axworthy is currently the President and CEO of the of the Walter and Duncan Gordan Foundation
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation
The Walter and Duncan Foundation was founded in 1965 by Walter L. Gordon, his wife, Elizabeth , and his brother, Duncan Gordon. It continues today as a private charitable foundation trying to improve public policy in Canada. Walter Gordon was a Canadian businessman and politician...
, Chair of the Centre for the Study of Democracy
Centre for the Study of Democracy
The Centre for the Study of Democracy is a multidisciplinary policy studies research organization which enhances the study of democracy both within Canada and abroad. Founded in the mid-1990s, CSD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization affiliated with the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s...
(CSD), Secretary General of the InterAction Council, and an Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario 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....
, Canada
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...
. He is the younger brother of Lloyd Axworthy
Lloyd Axworthy
Lloyd Norman Axworthy, PC, OC, OM is a prominent Canadian politician, statesman and University President from Manitoba. He is best known for having served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien...
.
Personal Life and Education
Dr. Axworthy received a BABachelor 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...
degree (Hons) from the University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg
The University of Winnipeg is a public university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that offers undergraduate faculties of art, business and economics, education, science and theology as well as graduate programs. The U of W's founding colleges were Manitoba College and Wesley College, which merged...
and an MA
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...
degree (1972) as well as returning to complete a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree (1979) from Queen’s University. He is married, has two children, two grandchildren. Dr. Axworthy currently lives 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...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario 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....
and travels often to Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
.
Early Career
Tom Axworthy joined the Liberal PartyLiberal 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...
in the early 1960s, Axworthy worked as a research assistant for the Task Force on the Structure of the Canadian Economy, led by Walter Gordon
Walter Gordon
Walter Gordon may refer to:*Jamaa Fanaka, African-American filmmaker . He is sometimes credited as either Walt Gordon or Walter Gordon....
. This was the first opportunity for Axworthy to work with Canada’s economic, social and industrial policies in depth, and influenced future thinking about such issues.
In 1974, Axworthy began his first political job, joining the Office of the Minister of National Revenue
Minister of National Revenue (Canada)
The Minister of National Revenue is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency and the administration of taxation law and collection....
as a Special Assistant on various policy issues. A year later, he was hired with the Prime Minister’s Office
Office of the Prime Minister (Canada)
In Canada, the Office of the Prime Minister , located in the Langevin Block, on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, is one of the most powerful parts of the government. It is made up of the prime minister and his or her top political staff, who are charged with advising the prime minister on decisions,...
(PMO) under Principal Secretary
Principal Secretary (Canada)
In Canada the Principal Secretary is a senior aide, often the most senior political aide, to a head of government. Formerly the position of Principal Secretary was the most senior in the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, though since 1987 it is second to the Chief of Staff...
Jim Coutts
Jim Coutts
James Allan Coutts, is a Canadian lawyer, businessman, and former advisor to two Prime Ministers.Born in High River, Alberta, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960 and a law degree in 1961 from the University of Alberta and an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1968...
as a political strategist and policy advisor to Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
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,...
. In 1979, with the defeat of the Liberals by Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
, Axworthy worked in the Leader of the Opposition’s Office as Acting Director and Senior Policy Advisor.
With the defeat of Clark’s minority government, Axworthy returned to the Prime Minister’s Office as Senior Policy Advisor, and was appointed Principal Secretary
Principal Secretary (Canada)
In Canada the Principal Secretary is a senior aide, often the most senior political aide, to a head of government. Formerly the position of Principal Secretary was the most senior in the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, though since 1987 it is second to the Chief of Staff...
to 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,...
in 1981, a position which he held until 1984. During this time, he was a key strategist in the Repatriation of the Constitution
Canada Act 1982
The Canada Act 1982 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was passed at the request of the Canadian federal government to "patriate" Canada's constitution, ending the necessity for the country to request certain types of amendment to the Constitution of Canada to be made by the...
and the National Energy Program
National Energy Program
The National Energy Program was an energy policy of the Government of Canada. It was created under the Liberal government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau by Minister of Energy Marc Lalonde in 1980, and administered by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources.-Description:The NEP was...
.
1984-2005
In 1984, Axworthy was invited to be a Fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of GovernmentJohn F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
, before being appointed as the visiting Mackenzie King Chair of Canadian Studies at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1985. Axworthy rejoined the Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
the following year, working on the Canadian Program at the Centre for International Affairs. He was appointed as an adjunct lecturer at the Kennedy School in 1991, and continued to teach at Harvard until returning to Canada in 2003 as an adjunct lecturer at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University.
While at Harvard, Axworthy co-drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities with world-renowned theologian Hans Küng
Hans Küng
Hans Küng is a Swiss Catholic priest, theologian, and prolific author. Since 1995 he has been President of the Foundation for a Global Ethic . Küng is "a Catholic priest in good standing", but the Vatican has rescinded his authority to teach Catholic theology...
, a major project of the InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government
InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government
The InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government is an independent international organization designed to bring together former world leaders to mobilize their energy, experience and international contacts in an effort to develop and encourage change around the world.Founded in 1983,...
.
During his time at Harvard, Axworthy also served as Vice-President and then Executive Director for the Charles R. Bronfman Foundation. The Foundation, during this time, created the well-known “Heritage Minute
Heritage Minute
Heritage Minutes, also known officially as Historica Minutes: History by the Minute, are sixty-second short films, each illustrating an important moment in Canadian history. They appear frequently on Canadian television and in cinemas before movies...
” series of commercials, which explored various aspects of Canadian History, which were released on television and movie theatres. In 1999, Axworthy helped create and raise funds for the Historica Foundation, becoming its Executive Director. The Foundation aimed to improve the teaching and learning of Canadian history. In recognition of his outstanding achievement and service in the field of history and heritage, Axworthy was made an Officer 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...
in 2002. In 2005, Axworthy resigned as Executive Director of the Historica Foundation.
2006-2008
In the wake of the defeat of Paul MartinPaul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
's minority Liberal Government in January, 2006, Axworthy was appointed co-chair of the Liberal Party Renewal Commission, which was charged with re-thinking every aspect of the Liberal Party
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...
's policies and structure. The Commission created 32 taskforces that were charged with examining each aspect of the party. The Commission reported just prior to the Liberal Leadership Convention of December 2–3, 2006, urging a return to its liberal philosophical roots, to refocus on developing and electrifying its membership, and to rethink many of the fundamental policies that have informed Liberal policy. Specific recommendations that emerged from the Commission included a Thinker's Conference, in order to developing a new platform for the party, a Council of Riding Presidents, which would represent the membership of the party in years between conventions, as well as a Day of Deliberation, in which Liberal Party Members across the country would be asked to debate and vote on policies in each of their ridings.
Until 2009, Axworthy was the Chair and Executive Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy
Centre for the Study of Democracy
The Centre for the Study of Democracy is a multidisciplinary policy studies research organization which enhances the study of democracy both within Canada and abroad. Founded in the mid-1990s, CSD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization affiliated with the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s...
.
In 2009, Axworthy was asked to Chair the Advisory Task Force on Democracy Promotion for the Minister of Democratic Reform, the Hon. Steven Fletcher
Steven Fletcher
Steven John Fletcher, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. He has served in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004, representing the riding of Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia as a member of the Conservative Party. He is the first quadriplegic to serve in the House of Commons, as well as in Cabinet...
. The unanimous report of the Task Force is currently being considered by the Government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
.
Currently
In 2009 Dr. Axworthy assumed his current position as the President and CEO of the Walter and Duncan Gordon FoundationThe Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation
The Walter and Duncan Foundation was founded in 1965 by Walter L. Gordon, his wife, Elizabeth , and his brother, Duncan Gordon. It continues today as a private charitable foundation trying to improve public policy in Canada. Walter Gordon was a Canadian businessman and politician...
, Axworthy stayed on as Chairman of the Board of the Centre.
Axworthy appears regularly on television and radio as a political analyst. He also frequently contributes to various Academic Journals, magazines and newspapers, especially the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
. He has also edited a number of books, most notably Towards a Just Society: The Trudeau Years, which he co-edited with 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,...
in 1990.
Most recently, Dr. Axworthy has been appointed the Secretary General of the InterAction Council which he has been an associate member of since 2008, but has been closely involved with since 1995. The InterAction Council is "is an international organization whose objective is to address long-term, global issues facing humankind. Co-Chaired by the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
(Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
, 1993-2003) and Dr. Franz Vranitzky
Franz Vranitzky
Franz Vranitzky is an Austrian politician. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria , he was Chancellor of Austria from 1986 to 1997.-Early life and career:...
(Chancellor of Austria
Chancellor of Austria
The Federal Chancellor is the head of government in Austria. Its deputy is the Vice-Chancellor. Before 1918, the equivalent office was the Minister-President of Austria. The Federal Chancellor is considered to be the most powerful political position in Austrian politics.-Appointment:The...
, 1986-1997), the Council is composed of more than thirty former heads of state who jointly develop proposals for action and submit them directly to national and international decision-makers."