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Hugh Segal

Hugh Segal OC OOnt CD (October 13, 1950 – August 9, 2023) was a Canadian political strategist, author, commentator, academic, and senator. He served as chief of staff to Ontario Premier Bill Davis and later to Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Segal resigned from the Senate of Canada on June 15, 2014, as a result of his appointment as master (later principal) of Massey College in Toronto.[1]

The Honourable
Hugh Segal
OC OOnt CD
5th Principal of Massey College
In office
July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2019
Preceded byJohn Fraser
Succeeded byNathalie Des Rosiers
Canadian Senator
for Kingston—Frontenac—Leeds, Ontario
In office
August 2, 2005 – June 15, 2014
Appointed byPaul Martin
4th Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister
In office
April 14, 1992 – June 25, 1993
Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney
Preceded byNorman Spector
Succeeded byDavid McLaughlin
Personal details
Born(1950-10-13)October 13, 1950
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedAugust 9, 2023(2023-08-09) (aged 72)
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Alma materUniversity of Ottawa

Life and career

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Politics and public policy

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Segal was inspired by a visit from Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1962 to his school, United Talmud Torah Academy in Montreal.[2] Segal went on to graduate from the University of Ottawa and was an aide to federal Progressive Conservative Leader of the Opposition Robert Stanfield in the early 1970s, while still a university student.[citation needed]

At the age of 21, he was an unsuccessful Progressive Conservative candidate in Ottawa Centre for the House of Commons of Canada in the 1972 general election. He was defeated again in 1974.[3]

As a member of the Big Blue Machine, Segal was a senior aide to Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier Bill Davis in the 1970s and 1980s, and he was named Deputy Minister at age 29.[citation needed] From 1992 to 1993, he was Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.[4]

Segal finished second to Joe Clark after the first ballot of the 1998 Progressive Conservative leadership election, but he chose to withdraw and support Clark (the eventual winner[5]) in the second ballot runoff vote against third-place finisher David Orchard.[6] He had also briefly considered running for the Progressive Conservative leadership in 1993.[7][8]

Senate

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Senator Hugh Segal, Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Shellie Viding and other delegates met E. Saravanapavan at the Uthayan newspaper premises in Jaffna, 2013

In 2005, Segal was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin.[9] He was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee until he "reluctantly" agreed to resign in 2007 at the request of the Conservative government, which reportedly wished to appoint a more ideologically conservative senator to the role after the committee issued a report critical of the Conservative government's foreign aid policy. Segal insisted, however, that the move was an administrative one.[10] Segal later served as Chair of the Special Senate Committee on Anti-Terrorism.[11]

In December 2013, Segal announced his intention to resign from the Senate in June 2014, twelve years before he would reach the mandatory retirement age of 75, to accept an academic appointment as Master of Massey College in Toronto.[12]

Commonwealth

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On July 7, 2010, Segal was appointed to the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (EPG) by Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma. The group's mandate is to set out recommendations on how to strengthen the Commonwealth and fulfill its potential in the 21st century.[13] In December 2011, the federal government appointed him special envoy to the Commonwealth with the task of convincing individual countries to sign on to the EPG's 106 recommendations.[14]

Political views

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Segal espoused a moderate brand of conservatism that has little in common with British Thatcherism or US neoconservatism. He was a Red Tory in the tradition of Benjamin Disraeli, Sir John A. Macdonald, John Diefenbaker and his mentors Robert Stanfield and Bill Davis. This political philosophy stresses the common good and promotes social harmony between classes. It is often associated with One Nation Conservatism. The focus is on order, good government and mutual responsibility. Individual rights and personal freedom are not considered absolute. In his 1997 book Beyond Greed: A Traditional Conservative Confronts Neo-Conservative Excess, Segal sought to distinguish what he called "traditional" conservatives from neo-conservatives, notably those in the United States.

In an earlier book, his 1996 memoir No Surrender (page 225), Segal wrote: "Progressive Conservatives cannot embrace the nihilistic defeatism that masquerades as a neo-conservative polemic in support of individual freedom and disengagement." He went on to deplore "American fast-food conservatism." In a speech to the National Press Club on June 21, 1995, Segal referred to the "selfish and directionless nature of the American revolution -- which was more about self-interest, mercantile opportunity, and who collected what tax than it was about tolerance or freedom."

Segal opposed on civil liberties grounds the imposition of the War Measures Act by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in the October Crisis of 1970. He favoured strengthening Canada's military and encouraging investment while maintaining a strong social safety net. His 1998 proposal to reduce Canada's Goods and Services Tax from 7% to 6% (and then 5%) was adopted by Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party in 2005. During his leadership campaign, he stated his support for capital punishment.

On June 6, 2012, Segal had a comment published in the National Post[15] outlining his views on Basic Income. In December 2012, Segal published an essay[16] in the Literary Review of Canada promoting the benefits of a guaranteed annual income.

Journalism

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In the 1980s and 1990s, Segal became a television pundit and newspaper columnist. In the private sector, Segal has been an executive in the advertising, brewing, and financial services industries.

Academic work

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Segal lived in Kingston, Ontario, and until 2014 was a faculty member at Queen's University's School of Policy Studies, and has also taught at the university's school of business. He served as president of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, a Montreal think tank, from 1999 to 2006. He sat on the board of directors and was a distinguished fellow at the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute.[17] He was also a member of the Trilateral Commission.[18]

Segal was appointed Master of Massey College in the University of Toronto (effective at the end of June 2014) and retired from the Senate to accept the position.[19] He retired from the Massey College position effective June 30, 2019, five years into his seven-year term, and was succeeded by Nathalie Des Rosiers.[20]

Personal life and death

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Segal was born in Montreal into what he described as a "very low-end, working-class family in what is now called Le Plateau". However richer relatives ensured that he and his brothers received a good education.[21] He was Jewish.[22]

He was the brother of corporate executive and former university administrator Brian Segal, and of artist Seymour Segal. He was married to Donna Armstrong Segal, a former Ontario Ministry of Health executive. They had one daughter, Jacqueline.[23]

Segal died on August 9, 2023, in Kingston, Ontario, at the age of 72.[4]

Honours

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Electoral record

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1998 Progressive Conservative Party of Canada leadership election

Points by ballot
Candidate First Ballot
October 24 		Second Ballot
November 14
Points % Points %
  CLARK, Charles Joseph (Joe) 14,592 48.5% 23,321 77.5%
  SEGAL, Hugh 5,689 18.9% Endorsed Clark
ORCHARD, David 4,916 16.3% 6,779 22.5%
  PALLISTER, Brian William 3,676 12.2% Endorsed Clark
  FORTIER, Michael M. 1,227 4.1% Endorsed Clark
Total 30,100 100.0% 30,100 100.0%

1974 Canadian federal election - Ottawa Centre

1974 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hugh Poulin 15,308 43.33 +4.81
Progressive Conservative Hugh Segal 12,138 34.36 -0.87
New Democratic Irving Greenberg 6,739 19.08 -6.04
Independent Bela Egyed 877 2.48
Social Credit John Graham 139 0.39 -0.26
Independent Ray Quann 63 0.18
Marxist–Leninist Phil Sarazen 62 0.18
Total valid votes 35,326 100.00

1972 Canadian federal election - Ottawa Centre

1972 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hugh Poulin 14,101 38.52 -19.22
Progressive Conservative Hugh Segal 12,899 35.23 +1.01
New Democratic Irving Greenberg 9,195 25.12 +17.07
Social Credit Rocco Zavarella 237 0.65
Independent Paul Herman 177 0.48
Total valid votes 36,609 100.00

Published works

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  • Segal, Hugh (November 1, 2019). Bootstraps Need Boots: One Tory's Lonely Fight to End Poverty in Canada. On Point Press. ISBN 978-0774890458.
  • Segal, Hugh (April 23, 2016). Two Freedoms: Canada's Global Future. Dundurn Press. ISBN 978-1459734456.
  • Segal, Hugh (January 31, 2011). The Right Balance: Canada's Conservative Tradition. Douglas & McIntyre. ISBN 978-1553655497.
  • Segal, Hugh (November 7, 2006). The Long Road Back: The Conservative Journey, 1993-2006. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-0002006132.
  • Segal, Hugh (March 18, 2005). Geopolitical Integrity. Institute for Research on Public Policy. ISBN 978-0886451899
  • Segal, Hugh (2000). In defence of civility: Reflections of a recovering politician. Stoddart Publishing. ISBN 978-0773732308
  • Segal, Hugh (1997). Beyond greed: a traditional conservative confronts neoconservative excess. Stoddart Publishing. ISBN 978-0773730533.
  • Segal, Hugh (1996). No Surrender: Reflections of a Tory Warrior. HarperCollins Canada. ISBN 978-0002553216.

References

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  1. ^ Delacourt, Susan (December 12, 2013). "Senator Hugh Segal leaving Senate for Massey College post". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  2. ^ Hugh Segal, The Long Road Back: Creating Canada's New Conservative Party (Harper Collins Canada, 2010), p. 7
  3. ^ Sallot, Jeff (July 9, 1974). "Liberals sealed their victory winning 9 of 10 key ridings". Toronto Star. Toronto, Ontario. p. A2. Retrieved February 6, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Raycraft, Richard (August 10, 2023). "Hugh Segal, former senator and chief of staff to PM Mulroney, dead at 72". CBC News. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Blanchfield, Mike (November 15, 1998). "Clark back in the saddle". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. p. A3. Retrieved February 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Tory leadership race: It's Clark and Orchard". The StarPhoenix. Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian Press. October 30, 1998. p. A18. Retrieved February 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Mulroney aide eyes leadership bid". St. Catharines Standard. St. Catharines, Ontario. The Canadian Press. April 8, 1993. p. A10. Retrieved February 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Wills, Terrance (April 10, 1993). "Splash made by Segal shows up Tory race for what it is – dull". The Gazette (Montreal). Montreal, Quebec. p. A9. Retrieved February 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Armstrong, Frank; Bergin, Mark (August 3, 2005). "Senator Segal won't be 'lazy'". and "Tory policy expert a 'good call' for Senate, Liberal opponent says". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Kingston, Ontario. pp. 1–7. Retrieved February 6, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Ditchburn, Jennifer (February 21, 2007). "Tories oust Hugh Segal from key Senate post". Toronto Star. Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian Press. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  11. ^ Hendra, Peter (May 21, 2010). "Kingston senator to lead committee on anti-terrorism". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Kingston, Ontario. p. 3. Retrieved February 6, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Delacourt, Susan (December 13, 2013). "Segal leaving Senate for U of T post". Toronto Star. Ottawa, Ontario. p. A2. Retrieved February 6, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Elliot, Ian (July 8, 2010). "Senator to serve as adviser". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Kingston, Ontario. p. 3. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Cobb, Chris (December 23, 2011). "Tory senator Hugh Segal named special envoy to Commonwealth". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. p. A4. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Hugh Segal: Governments can't ignore income security forever". Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  16. ^ Segal, Hugh (December 2012). "Scrapping Welfare". Literary Review of Canada. 20 (10). Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  17. ^ "CDFAI - Distinguished Research Fellows". Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  18. ^ "Trilateral Commission" (PDF). www.trilateral.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 26, 2012.
  19. ^ "Hugh Segal, Tory senator, to retire for Massey College job". CBC News. December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  20. ^ "Nathalie des Rosiers Elected Principal of Massey College – Massey College". Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  21. ^ Ibbitson, John (August 17, 2023). "Distinguished Tory Hugh Segal enriched Canadian political life". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  22. ^ Folkins, Tali (January 31, 2019). "'Shoring up the pillars of hope': A conversation with Hugh Segal". Anglican Journal.
  23. ^ "Loyal Conservative 'a man of principle in the truest sense'". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. August 11, 2023. p. A4. Retrieved February 9, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Governor General Announces 100 New Appointments to the Order of Canada as Canada Turns 150". The Governor General of Canada His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  25. ^ "SENATOR HUGH SEGAL – New Chairman, NATO Council of Canada". June 24, 2013.
  26. ^ "Peace Patron Dinner 2017 | Mosaic Institute". Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  27. ^ "The 2016 Appointees to the Order of Ontario". December 14, 2016.
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Parliament of Canada
Preceded by Senator from Ontario
2005–2014 		Succeeded by
Vacant
Political offices
Preceded by Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister's Office
1992–1993 		Succeeded by
Academic offices
Preceded by Principal of Massey College
2014–2019 		Succeeded by
Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by President of the Institute for Research on Public Policy
1999–2006 		Succeeded by
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