About

Paul Dewar has always taken a people-centred approach to politics and to leadership. A seasoned Member of Parliament at the age of 49, his knowledge of the issues, communications skills, and commitment to working with others have made him an effective parliamentarian as well as a respected community leader.

Born in Ottawa, Paul grew up steeped in social democratic politics. His mother, Marion Dewar, was a popular mayor of Ottawa who taught him early on the importance of social justice and grassroots democracy.

After graduating from university, Paul’s passion for international affairs took him to Nicaragua where he volunteered as an aid worker. He returned to Canada to become a public school teacher at two Ottawa-area schools, noted for his award-winning work in the area of special needs education and became the vice-president of Ottawa Carleton Elementary Teachers’ Federation.

Paul was first elected to Parliament in 2006, after the retirement of NDP stalwart Ed Broadbent.

He quickly developed the ability to achieve results in a divided House of Commons. He ran successful grassroots campaigns to force the Conservatives to adopt his proposals. He rallied all-party support to supply affordable, life-saving generic drugs to the poorest countries – despite the opposition from industry and the Harper cabinet.

In Jack Layton’s shadow cabinet, Paul served as the New Democrat Foreign Affairs critic, taking a strong stand on ending the war in Afghanistan. He promoted the involvement of women in peace building, stood up for the rights of Canadian citizens abroad, and fought for better corporate social responsibility.

On the domestic front, Paul has taken the same approach, advancing a new and positive approach to politics and working hard to welcome and integrate new Canadians. He is a defender of public services and the workers who provide them.

As an effective constituency representative, Paul has delivered on local transit and environmental issues. He has united community members in Ottawa and across the river in Gatineau, Quebec in projects to improve the region’s quality of life and protect its environment.

Paul lives in old Ottawa East with his spouse Julia Sneyd and their two children.