Editing Ron Irwin (section)

==Life==
Born in [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario]], Irwin earned an undergraduate degree from the [[University of Western Ontario]] and a law degree from [[Osgoode Hall Law School]] of [[York University]]. While at the [[University of Western Ontario]] he joined the Sigma Kappa Sigma chapter of [[Delta Upsilon]]. 

He served two terms on [[Sault Ste. Marie City Council|Sault Ste. Marie city council]] as an alderman for ward one, elected in 1968 and 1970. In 1972 he was elected [[mayor]] of Sault Ste. Marie and served in that role for one term ending in 1974.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ron Irwin, former Sault Ste. Marie mayor and Liberal cabinet minister, dies at 84|language=en|work=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ron-irwin-obituary-1.5830321|access-date=2020-12-06}}</ref> He also served as a school trustee, and director of the local [[Chamber of Commerce]]. 

From 1977 to 1980, he was a member of the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]].

Irwin was first elected to the [[House of Commons of Canada]] in the [[1980 Canadian federal election|1980 federal election]] as a [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]. He served as [[parliamentary secretary]] to [[Jean Chrétien]] while the latter was [[Minister of Justice (Canada)|justice minister]]. Irwin was defeated in the [[1984 Canadian federal election|1984 election]] but returned to parliament in the [[1993 Canadian federal election|1993 election]].

When the Liberals returned to power as a result of the 1993 election, Chrétien, now [[Prime Minister of Canada]], appointed Irwin to his [[Canadian Cabinet|cabinet]] as [[Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (Canada)|Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]]. Irwin retired from parliament in 1997.

Irwin served as a personal advisor to Prime Minister Chrétien from 1997 to 1998. He was appointed [[Canadian Ambassador to Ireland]] in 1998, and served until 2001. In 2001, Irwin was appointed Canada's [[Canadian Consulate-General, Boston|Consul General]] to [[Boston]].

Irwin was made a Member of the [[Order of Canada]] on June 25, 1975 with the citation "Former Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie. For his contribution to the improvement of conditions in his city through his dedicated service with many civic groups."<ref>{{cite web |last1=The Governor General of Canada |title=The Honourable Ronald A. Irwin |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-13888 |website=Honours > Recipients |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref>

Irwin died in Sault Ste. Marie on December 5, 2020, at the age of 84.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ron Irwin passes away at age 84|date=2020-12-05|url=https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/ron-irwin-passes-away-at-age-84-3158456|access-date=2020-12-06|website=SooToday|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Northwood Funeral Home |title=Obituary of Ronald Irwin |url=https://northwoodfuneral.com/tribute/details/5408/Ronald-Irwin/obituary.html |website=Northwood Funeral Home |access-date=6 February 2025}}</ref>