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“Paul was working to build a better world for all of us — with all of us — one where we treat each other with dignity and respect, with kindness and compassion. What a wonderful legacy to leave.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Ottawa (07 Feb. 2019) — Paul Dewar, a former Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Centre, has died.
“We are saddened to hear the news of Paul’s passing,” said Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). “While many knew Paul as an politican, he was more than that to us. He was our friend.”
“Paul was a passionate advocate for working people, for the vulnerable in society, and for good governance of our country,“said Brown.
Growing up as a son of Marion Dewar, a former mayor of Ottawa, Paul learned the nature of politics right at home. He learned the ways that government could be compassionate and caring in its decision-making. He also learned how to be a leader through his work as a teacher, aid worker and grassroots activist. This work brought him to Central America where he saw first-hand how important education was to helping people to move out of poverty.
He also garnered experience as a labour activist from his time as a local vice-president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario. Paul worked hard to advance equality and fairness in our communities, in Parliament and across the country.
Paul saw the strength that was created when people worked together to solve problems. He saw how important it was to build bridges, not tear them down.
“It was this drive for unity and cooperation that made him such a great leader,” says Brown. “His progressive social values and integrity made him stand out during his time in Parliament. He saw the big picture and knew how to inspire people to join in the cause. His support for human rights, for Indigenous rights, for immigrants and refugees was unwavering.”
“Paul was working to build a better world for all of us — with all of us — one where we treat each other with dignity and respect, with kindness and compassion,” said Brown. “What a wonderful legacy to leave.”
“We send our heartfelt condolences to his entire family, his wife Julia, and his sons Nathaniel and Jordan,” said Brown. "We will miss him."