Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson presented the Key to the City to Paul W. Dewar at a ceremony at City Hall this evening, in recognition and appreciation for his service and dedication to his community and country, and his significant contributions to education and youth empowerment.

Mr. Dewar began his career as a teacher. He worked as an elementary school teacher in Ottawa and was an elected executive of the Ottawa-Carleton Elementary Teachers’ Federation. During this time, he founded the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario’s Humanity Fund, which provides financial support to various charities doing work in developing countries.

In 2006, Mr. Dewar ran for and won the seat for Ottawa Centre where he served as a Member of Parliament until 2015. Representing the New Democratic Party, Mr. Dewar served as the Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs and as Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. He was also Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Vice-Chair of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.

Mr. Dewar has always been active in his community. He has been a board member on the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), the Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa, the Partnership for a Pesticide Bylaw, and Ottawa Centre Refugee Action. He has also been involved with national organizations and supportive of youth, arts and environmental initiatives.

Most recently, Mr. Dewar has focused his attention on tomorrow’s leaders. He started the Youth Action Now, which encourages young people to develop initiatives that improve their communities. Through these projects, they acquire leadership skills, network with fellow members, deepen their understanding of their own communities and help demonstrate that a better world is possible.

Quotes

“Like his mother before him, Paul Dewar has dedicated his life to making Ottawa a welcoming, accessible and inclusive city. He has served, volunteered, mentored, taught and inspired so many Ottawa residents. His current focus, with the Youth Action Now, is preparing young people from diverse backgrounds to be our leaders of tomorrow. He has always encouraged others to be kind and optimistic, and to take action to make their world a better place.”
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson

Key Facts

The Key to the City

• The Key to the City is Ottawa’s most prestigious award.
• An ornamental key is presented to esteemed residents, visitors and others whom the City of Ottawa wishes to honour. This practice has a symbolic meaning evoking medieval walled cities, the gates of which would be guarded during the day and locked at night. The key symbolizes the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will, as a trusted friend of city residents.
• Some former recipients include:
  • Ms. Hélène Campbell
  • Mr. Peter A. Herrndorf
  • The Right Honourable David Johnston and Mrs. Sharon Johnston
  • Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth (now, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands
  • Author Margaret Atwood
  • Photographers Yousuf and Malak Karsh
  • The Community Foundation of Ottawa
  • Actress Sandra Oh
  • Ottawa Senators former Captain Daniel Alfredsson
  • The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada
  • Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek
  • TV and radio news journalist, Michel Picard

Biography

Paul W. Dewar was born and raised in Ottawa. He is a father, husband, teacher, community activist and leader as well as being a former Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre.

Paul Dewar proudly served as the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre from 2006 to 2015. As an MP, Mr. Dewar served as the Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs and as Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. He was also Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Vice-Chair of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. Paul is well known for leading and organizing community forums on cycling, youth, the arts and the environment.

Before entering politics, Mr. Dewar worked as an elementary school teacher in Ottawa and was an elected executive of the Ottawa-Carleton Elementary Teachers’ Federation (OCETF). Mr. Dewar played a major role in reviving OCETF’s political action committee and in establishing the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario’s Humanity Fund, which provides financial support to various charities doing work in developing countries.

Mr. Dewar has been actively involved in the community as a board member on the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, the Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa, the Partnership for a Pesticide Bylaw, and Ottawa Centre Refugee Action. At the national level, he has been a board member of Human Rights Watch Canada, Partners in Health Canada, and Fair Vote Canada.

In June 2018, Mr. Dewar launched Youth Action Now, a community action initiative that brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to support their collective leadership and increase their impact in making a positive change within their communities.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Education degree from Queen’s University.