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Lloyd Norman Axworthy
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Professor, MLA (1973-1977), MLA (1977-1979), MP (1979), MP (1980-1984), MP (1984-1988), MP (1988-1993), MP (1994-1997), MP (1997-2000).
Born at North Battleford, Saskatchewan on 21 December 1939, one of four sons of Norman Joseph Axworthy (1913-1990) and Gwen Jane Thomas, he received a BA degree from United College (1961) and a PhD degree from Princeton University (1972). After teaching at the University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba, he was Director of the Institute of Urban Affairs at the University of Winnipeg.
After being defeated as a Liberal candidate in the 1968 federal general election, he was elected to the Manitoba Legislature at the 1973 general election and was re-elected in 1977. He served as parliamentary leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party (1978-1979). He resigned in 1979 to jump to federal politics, being elected in 1979, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1993, and 1997. He held ministerial portfolios of Transport (1983-1984), Employment and Immigration (1993-1996), Labour (1993-1995), and Foreign Affairs (1996-2000). He did not stand for re-election in 2000.
After his retirement from politics, he served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg (2004-2014).
In recognition of his community service, he was inducted into the Order of Manitoba (2001) and Order of Canada (2003). He received honorary doctorates from the University of Winnipeg (1998) and University of Manitoba (2004), and he received a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), and Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022). He received a Duff Roblin Award (2022) and he was made an honourary member of the Winnipeg Press Club.
He was married twice, first on 30 August 1963 to schoolteacher Frances Lynne Thompson (1940-2014). His second marriage, on 3 August 1984, to former aide Denise Ommanney in Ottawa, occurred in the chambers of House of Commons Speaker Lloyd Francis. They subsequently had a son. He has a cottage at Victoria Beach. In retirement he wrote a biography Lloyd Axworthy: My Life in Politics (2024).
“News items of social and personal interest,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 January 1940, page 4.
“Party rounds honor brides-elect,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 August 1963, page 14.
“Meet your candidates,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 September 1977, page 24.
“A day with Lloyd,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 January 1984, page 43.
“Axworthy takes break from campaign to wed,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 August 1984, page 3.
“Grit MP’s father dies after lengthy illness,” Winnipeg Free Press, 21 January 1990, page 2.
Obituary [Norman Joseph Axworthy], Winnipeg Free Press, 21 January 1990, page 30.
Obituary [Gwen Jane Axworthy], Winnipeg Free Press, 23 June 2009.
Obituary [Frances Lynne Axworthy], Winnipeg Free Press, 13 December 2014.
Members of the Legislative Assembly (living), Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, P.C., M.P., ParlInfo.
The Hon. Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, PC CC OM (Public Service), Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 30 March 2025
