As always on Art’s History, and in tribute to my beloved hometown of Scarborough, Ontario, I highlight political milestones involving the community where I grew up. So, today, it is a pleasure to celebrate the birthday, in 1916, of the late Martin O’Connell, one of Scarborough’s most significant federal politicians.After service in the Second World War and studies at Queen’s University, Mr. O’Connell soon turned his eyes towards politics. In the storied 1968 election, Scarborough voters in the riding of Scarborough East (which was my home riding) sent him to represent them in the House of Commons. He was soon appointed to PM Pierre Trudeau's cabinet. Four years later, however, in the 1972 campaign, Mr. O’Connell, like a lot of Liberals that year, was defeated. But his political career was far from over.Out of elected office, Prime Minister Trudeau appointed him to one of the most powerful positions in his government, that of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. He was later returned to the Commons by Scarborough residents and again summoned to the federal cabinet, serving with distinction as Minister of Labour in the late 1970s.Upon leaving politics, his public service continued in various capacities outside of government. Mr. O’Connell died in 2003 at age 87. He is still remembered fondly by citizens of Scarborough.caption id="attachment_576498" align="aligncenter" width="548" Then Scarborough MP Martin O’Connell presents a special award to Canadian athlete Carol Klimpel/captionArthur Milnes is an accomplished public historian and award-winning journalist. He was research assistant on The Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney’s best-selling Memoirs and also served as a speechwriter to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and as a Fellow of the Queen’s Centre for the Study of Democracy under the leadership of Tom Axworthy. A resident of Kingston, Ontario, Milnes serves as the in-house historian at the 175 year-old Frontenac Club Hotel.
Arthur Milnes is an accomplished public historian and award-winning journalist. He was research assistant on The Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney’s best-selling Memoirs and also served as a speechwriter to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and as a Fellow of the Queen’s Centre for the Study of Democracy under the leadership of Tom Axworthy. A resident of Kingston, Ontario, Milnes serves as the in-house historian at the 175 year-old Frontenac Club Hotel.