CME is pleased to announce that the recipient of this year’s Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award will be The Right Honourable Paul Martin.

During his time as Minister of Finance (1993-2002) and the twenty-first Prime Minister of Canada (2003-2006), Paul Martin was an exceptional leader, erasing the national deficit, lowering taxes and increasing funding to educational initiatives and research development. He played a pivotal role in solidifying Canada’s position as an internationally respected model for sound financial regulation. Mr. Martin also worked to improve the health care system and established a national early learning and child care program. Under his leadership in November 2005, the Canadian Government reached an historic consensus with Canada's provinces, territories, First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders through the Kelowna Accord, which works to eliminate the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians in the areas of health, education, housing and economic opportunity. Based on his service to Canada and through the establishment of the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative (MAEI) Paul Martin has served beyond his term in office and has continued to advocate strongly for Aboriginal Education Reform.  

Paul Martin has worked tirelessly, both in political office and beyond, to advocate for Canadian Aboriginal people by fostering entrepreneurial skill development for Aboriginal youth, as well as creating business opportunities for Canadian Aboriginal leaders and communities. Throughout his career he has strived to make positive changes at both the national legislative and grassroots levels in the health, education and social welfare of Aboriginal people and, in so doing, has exercised exceptional leadership and garnered the respect and admiration of many.
 

ABOUT THE LINCOLN ALEXANDER OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD

Each year, the College of Management and Economics and the University of Guelph present the Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award to a Canadian who has exhibited exemplary leadership within, and more importantly beyond, the boundaries of her/his organization or profession. Since revising the criteria two years ago we have ensured a fit with Lincoln Alexander’s legacy, the University’s values (as reflected in the Better Planet Project) and the aspirations of CME. The recipient is to be an influential and highly respected leader whose career is marked by engaging with others on groundbreaking, socially significant pursuits and who has been selflessly committed to the betterment of others. In particular, the recipient will have:

·       Exhibited leadership by doing the right thing during a time of difficulty, challenge or conflict, or harnessing an opportunity, effectively challenging current thinking and practice;

·       Moved above and beyond organizational or professional obligations;

·       Demonstrated a commitment to intellectual growth, learning and curiosity in their own leadership in and the ways they inspire others to develop these characteristics;

·       Advocated for positive change for the social good, and,

·       Achieved a positive impact on the lives of others.

Past recipients of the Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award include:  Martin Connell, the Hon. Louise Arbour, Dick Pound, General Rick Hillier, the Hon. Frank McKenna, and the award namesake, the Hon. Lincoln Alexander.