| The Honourable Ralph Edward Goodale PC, MP |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1997 |
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| Preceded by | first member |
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| In office 1993 – 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Larry Schneider |
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| In office 1974 – 1979 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Knight |
| Succeeded by | Len Gustafson |
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| In office 1986 – 1988 |
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| Preceded by | Allen Engel |
| Succeeded by | Jack Wolfe |
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| Born | October 5, 1949 Regina, Saskatchewan |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse(s) | Pam Goodale |
| Residence | Regina, Saskatchewan |
| Profession | Barrister, solicitor, broadcaster, business executive, lawyer |
Ralph Edward Goodale, PC, MP (born October 5, 1949) was Canada's Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006 and continues to be a Liberal Member of Parliament. He was named Opposition House Leader by interim Liberal leader Bill Graham in 2006, and has continued to serve in this role under the leadership of Stéphane Dion and Michael Ignatieff.
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Early life
Goodale was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and raised on a farm near Wilcox, Saskatchewan. He was a member of Scouts Canada and earned the rank of Queen's Scout.[1]. He first attended the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus and then obtained a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
Federal Politics, 1974-1979
Active at politics from a young age, he was first elected to the Parliament of Canada in the 1974 election at the age of 24. He served as backbench MP until the 1979 election, when he was defeated.
Provincial Politics
In 1981, Goodale was named leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party.
He led that party to a very poor showing in the 1982 provincial election, in which the party received 4.51% of the popular vote and won no seats in the provincial legislature. However, Goodale was the only Liberal candidate to receive more than 1,000 votes.[2]
The party won 9.99% of the vote in the 1986 provincial election, but only Goodale was elected to the legislature. Goodale ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility in this election, arguing that both the Progressive Conservative and New Democrat parties favoured excessive spending policies, typified by their proposals for a Keynesian-style stimulation of the provincial economy through subsidized home improvement and renovation schemes.
Return to Federal Politics
Defeated in 1988 election
Goodale resigned as leader to run for the federal Liberal Party in the 1988 election, but he was defeated in the election. Beginning earlier that year and prior to his resignation, Goodale's executive assistant was Jason Kenney. Kenney would become a Conservative Party of Canada MP in a Calgary riding.
Goodale then spent five years in the private sector, working for companies such as the Pioneer Life Assurance Company, Pioneer Lifeco Inc., and Sovereign Life Insurance Co.; he has stated in interviews that he felt his political career had ended.
In government, 1993-2006
Goodale ran again in the 1993 federal election and was elected to Parliament. As a member of the new Chrétien cabinet, Goodale was named Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. He has the prenomial "the Honourable" and the postnomial "PC" for life by virtue of being made a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada on November 4, 1993.[3]
In 1997, he became the Minister of Natural Resources. In 2002, he was named Minister of Public Works and Government Services. The Department of Public Works and Government Services had been plagued by scandals.
A close ally of Paul Martin, Goodale was appointed to the senior portfolio of Finance Minister when Martin became Prime Minister on December 12, 2003. In that capacity he tabled two consecutive balanced budgets and launched the Government's productivity agenda.
On December 28, 2005, a letter surfaced from Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli confirming the force was launching a criminal investigation into whether details regarding government tax policies relating to income trust funds were leaked from the Finance Minister's office. Goodale said he would co-operate completely with any investigation, but would not step aside while the RCMP continued their probe. The investigation deals only with the Department of Finance, and not the minister himself.[4] On February 15, 2007 the RCMP announced the conclusion of the income trust investigation and laid a charge of 'Breach of Trust' against Serge Nadeau, an official in the Department of Finance.[5] Goodale was cleared of any wrongdoing.[6]
In opposition, 2006-present
Goodale won re-election to the House of Commons in the general election on January 23, 2006, but lost his cabinet position with the Liberal defeat.
2006 Liberal Party leadership convention
After the Liberals' defeat, and Paul Martin's election night announcement that he would be resigning as party leader, Goodale initially indicated that he was not interested in succeeding Martin in that post. "I do not anticipate ever having to cross that bridge," he said. "I rule it out."[7] On March 16, 2006, however, the Toronto Star reported that Goodale was reconsidering his decision, and stated that he may enter the Liberal leadership convention after all.[8] In the end he declined, citing his inability to speak French as a key reason. On November 28, 2006, he endorsed Bob Rae to be the next leader of the Liberal Party.[9] After the third ballot, Bob Rae, who finished third, was eliminated. Goodale then endorsed Stéphane Dion, the eventual winner.
Goodale was opposed to David Orchard's candidacy in the by-election for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River.[10] Dion terminated the nomination contest and appointed Joan Beatty as the candidate.
Coalition government
In November 2008, the three opposition parties in the Canadian parliament indicated their intention to defeat the Stephen Harper government in a motion of no confidence, and express their desire that the Governor General ask a member of the opposition to form a new government. There was initially some speculation that Goodale would become Prime Minister of Canada as leader of the coalition government.[11] However, the opposition parties later agreed that Stéphane Dion would lead the government on an interim basis until a new Liberal leader is chosen.[12]
References
- ^ http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/MediaCentre/AnnualGeneralMeeting2009/tabid/1748/Default.aspx
- ^ [1]
- ^ Biodata
- ^ Department of Finance investigation
- ^ RCMP investigation conclusion
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ Delacourt, Susan, "Dion accused of snubbing Orchard", Toronto Star, January 5, 2008
- ^ Whittington, Les; Tonda MacCharles and Bruce Campion-Smith (2008-11-30). "Tories blink first in showdown". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/546135. Retrieved 2008-11-30. "One prominent name being mentioned is former Liberal finance minister Ralph Goodale."
- ^ "Liberals, NDP, Bloc sign deal on proposed coalition". CBC News. 2008-12-01. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2008/12/01/coalition-talks.html. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
External links
| 27th Ministry - Government of Paul Martin | ||
| Cabinet Posts (1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| John Manley | Minister of Finance 2003–2006 |
Jim Flaherty |
| 26th Ministry - Government of Jean Chrétien | ||
| Cabinet Posts (4) | ||
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Don Boudria | Minister of Public Works and Government Services 2002–2003 |
Stephen Owen |
| Minister of State 2002 NB: no portfolio specified (while House Leader) |
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| Anne McLellan | Minister of Natural Resources 1997–2002 |
Herb Dhaliwal |
| Charlie Mayer | Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 1993–1997 NB: "Minister of Agriculture" before 1995 |
Lyle Vanclief |
| Special Cabinet Responsibilities | ||
| Predecessor | Title | Successor |
| position created | Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board (1997–2003) |
Reg Alcock |
| Anne McLellan | Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians (1997–2003) |
Denis Coderre |
| Special Parliamentary Responsibilities | ||
| Predecessor | Title | Successor |
| Don Boudria | Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2002) |
Don Boudria |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Jay Hill, Conservative |
Opposition House Leader 2006–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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