Paul Godfrey

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Paul Victor Godfrey, CM, B.A.Sc., P.Eng. (born 1939 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian politician and businessman.

Godfrey grew up in a working class Jewish family in the Kensington Market neighbourhood of Toronto. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Toronto and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in chemical engineering.

He entered politics as an alderman in the borough of North York in 1964, serving until 1973. That year, he was appointed Chairman of Metropolitan Toronto, serving until 1984.

He then left politics and joined the Toronto Sun as publisher and CEO from 1984 to 1991.

Godfrey has been active in the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party throughout his career. Following his departure from electoral politics he has remained a highly influential backroom broker.

He was particularly influential during the mayoral terms of Art Eggleton and Mel Lastman and played an instrumental role in the election of both men.

He is currently chief executive officer and president of the Toronto Blue Jays, owned by Rogers Communications. Godfrey, who was one of the key supporters of the original proposal to bring a baseball team to the city, has also attempted to launch a National Football League team in Toronto.

He is also a member of the board of directors of CanWest Global Communications and Astral Media.

In 1999, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2001, he received an honorary degree from Ryerson University.

External links

[Order of Canada Citation]
[Transcript of chat with Paul Godfrey] - Toronto Blue Jays News.
[Toronto MVP Paul Godfrey among eight to receive honorary degrees] - Ryerson University
[Herbie Fund] - A fund Godfrey established with his wife at the Hospital for Sick Children.

Preceded by:
Albert Campbell

Metro Toronto Chairman

Succeeded by:
Dennis Flynn

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