Martha Hall Findlay

Martha Hall Findlay was the twice-elected Member of Parliament for Willowdale and the Official Opposition Critic for International Trade. She was a member of the Standing House Committee on Government Operations, an Associate Member of the Finance Committee, and a member of the Leaders’ Advisory Committee on Economic Strategy. She has previously held the posts of Associate Finance Critic, Critic for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Critic for Public Works and Government Services.

Ms. Hall Findlay ran for leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada in 2006. During her 10-month campaign, she was highly praised for her travels across the country in the “Big Red Bus,” which became a symbol of energy, renewal, and grassroots engagement in the party. Her efforts and the strong relationships she built nationwide resulted in her appointment as Platform Outreach Chair for the Liberal Party of Canada in 2006.

A graduate of the University of Toronto’s International Relations Program and of Osgoode Hall Law School, Ms. Hall Findlay is a well respected lawyer, businesswoman, and entrepreneur. She has extensive international education, experience, and work background. Most recently, prior to her election, she was Counsel at the national law firm of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. Before that, she founded The General Counsel Group, a successful management and legal consulting firm focused on the high-tech and telecommunications fields in both Canada and Europe. Prior to starting her own business, Ms. Hall Findlay was Corporate Counsel with Bell Mobility, General Counsel to Mobility Canada, and Vice President, Corporate Development with The Rider Group. She initially practised domestic and international business law with the multinational law firm of Baker & McKenzie.

Ms. Hall Findlay accelerated three years at school, finishing high school at 15. She was at the same time actively involved in ski racing, becoming overall silver medallist in the Canadian Championships in 1976. She was named to the Canadian National Ski Training Squad before retiring and pursuing her formal education. She supported herself throughout university by waitressing, working in construction (primarily as a carpenter), and coaching young ski racers. During law school, while raising sons Everett and Patrick (Katie, the eldest, was born during her undergraduate years), Ms. Hall Findlay co-owned and operated two retail stores.

Ms. Hall Findlay speaks English and French and has training in several other languages, including Russian, Italian, and Spanish. She also has extensive non-profit and volunteer experience, having served as a Director and Executive with various community organizations and ratepayer associations, including CKUA Radio in Alberta, the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs, and the Georgian Bay Association. She is also an active member of Equal Voice, a multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women into politics.