Tony Martin

NDP MP Tony Martin was only twelve years old when he arrived in Canada from Ireland, the eldest of seven children born to Mick and Rose Martin. Tony’s father was a school custodian and a loyal union man and in his home only allowed two portraits to grace the walls, one was of Jesus Christ and the other was of Clarence Dungey, the local union leader. Tony attended Laurentian University in Sudbury and spent several years working in community development in Northern Ontario. In 1990, Tony was elected as the NDP MPP at the same time as Bob Rae was swept into power at Queen’s Park. Unlike the premier, Tony was able to hold onto his seat for another two terms before being defeated. In 2004, Tony found himself unemployed and was urged to run again, this time by former Chretien Cabinet Minister Ron Irwin. Tony’s efforts were rewarded as he was elected as the MP for Sault Ste. Marie. Tony and his wife Anna have four children, Mora, Sarah, Scott and Paul. Catherine Clark talks to Tony Martin about his life Beyond Politics.