Martha Hall Findlay: the former pro-skier

By Amanda Lorbetski

She may not be commuting cross-country in her big red bus this time around, but Martha Hall Findlay’s message remains.

“The Liberal Party that I lead will say, ‘No More,’” reads her Liberal Party of Canada website platform.

She is one of nine candidates vying to lead the Liberal Party of Canada, the decision being made this April.

The winner will take the reigns from interim leader Bob Rae, who stepped up following Dalton McGuinty’s stepping down.

On August 17, 1959, Hall Findlay was born a proud Canadian.

At 15, she was a high school graduate, having studied at both Collingwood Collegiate Institute and Georgian Bay Secondary School.

Hall Findlay then retired from competitive skiing to enroll in post-secondary studies.  This was after sliding into silver standing at the 1976 Canadian Championships and being inducted into the Canadian National Training Squad.

She studied international relations at the University of Toronto and received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Over the years, Hall Findlay has been in fields ranging from retail to radio.  Yet, she is most comfortable in business and law, where she has the most work experience.

Under her belt are legal and management positions at: Bell Mobility, Baker & McKenzie, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and The Rider Group.

Hall Findlay takes voluntarism seriously, having been involved with many organizations.  These include: the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs, CKUA Radio and the Georgian Bay Association.

The former Willowdale Liberal Member of Parliament is an Executive Fellow at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy.

Hall Findlay, 53, is a mother of three currently living in Toronto, Ontario.

The bilingual EnStream LP Chief Legal Officer has lived in Canada and abroad.

Hall Findlay’s main promises include: party accountability for past mistakes, refocusing priorities and regaining Canadian support.

She says she is the fresh perspective Canadians need for faith to be restored in her party.

Hall Findlay’s Liberal Party of Canada website profile reads, “That is why I’m running.  That is who I am.  That is what I will do.”