The Honourable
Margaret McCain
CC ONB
McCain in academic dress giving a speech.
McCain at Université Laval, 2019
27th Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick
In office
June 21, 1994 – April 18, 1997
MonarchElizabeth II
Governors GeneralRay Hnatyshyn
Roméo LeBlanc
PremierFrank McKenna
Preceded byGilbert Finn
Succeeded byMarilyn Trenholme Counsell
Personal details
Born
Margaret Norrie

(1934-10-01) October 1, 1934 (age 89)
Amos, Quebec, Canada
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1955; died 2011)​
Children4 (including Michael McCain)
Alma mater
ProfessionPhilanthropist

Margaret Norrie McCain CC ONB (née Norrie; born October 1, 1934) is a Canadian philanthropist who was the first woman to serve as the lieutenant governor of New Brunswick.

She is known for her work in the promotion of early childhood education.[1] As a member of the wealthy McCain family, she has donated millions of dollars to charitable causes.[2][3]

Early life and education

McCain was born Margaret Norrie[4] in Amos, Quebec. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Toronto.[5]

Career

McCain is the founding patron of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation for the elimination of family violence.[6] From 1994 to 1997 she was the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick.[7]

Following her term of office, McCain became co-chair with James Fraser Mustard of The Early Years Study into early childhood learning.[8][9][10] The first report, Early years study : reversing the real brain drain, was commissioned by the Government of Ontario. Subsequent reports were published by other organizations. McCain continued to advocate for improvements in early childhood education.[11]

In 2008, McCain and her husband Wallace opened the McCain Student Center at Mount Allison University.[12] McCain served as the Chancellor of the university.[13]

Family

She was married to the late billionaire entrepreneur Wallace McCain, who co-founded McCain Foods. She has four children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.[14]

Honours

References

  1. ^ "The meaningful munificence of Margaret McCain". August 23, 2012 | By Alec Bruce
  2. ^ "Margaret McCain donates $10 million to CAMH for youth mental health services". The Guardian, April 25, 2012
  3. ^ Iris Nowell. Women who Give Away Millions: Portraits of Canadian Philanthropists. Dundurn; October 22 1996. ISBN 978-0-88882-187-4. p. 161–.
  4. ^ "Wallace McCain, food-business giant, dies at 81". The Clobe and Mail, Gordon Pitts, May 14, 2011
  5. ^ 'Margaret McCain sees education as “the great equalizer”'. The Aquinian, by Alexandre Silberman , October 2, 2017
  6. ^ "Margaret Norrie McCain". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Philip Lee. Frank: The Life and Politics of Frank McKenna. Goose Lane Editions; 2001. ISBN 978-0-86492-303-5.
  8. ^ Linda A. White. Constructing Policy Change: Early Childhood Education and Care in Liberal Welfare States. University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division; 18 September 2017. ISBN 978-1-4875-1446-4. p. 142–.
  9. ^ Des Griffin. Education Reform: The Unwinding of Intelligence and Creativity. Springer Science & Business Media; 19 December 2013. ISBN 978-3-319-01994-9. p. 81–.
  10. ^ John Lorinc. New City: How The Crisis Of Canadas Cities Is Reshaping Our Nation. Penguin Canada; 6 December 2016. ISBN 978-0-7352-3345-4. p. 188–.
  11. ^ "Margaret McCain pushes for expanding education to include 4 year olds". CBC News, June 22, 2016
  12. ^ David Mutimer. Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs 2005. University of Toronto Press; December 2011. ISBN 978-1-4426-4385-7. p. 240–.
  13. ^ Audrey Andrews. Be Good, Sweet Maid: The Trials of Dorothy Joudrie. Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press; 25 August 2011. ISBN 978-0-88920-383-9. p. 17–.
  14. ^ "‘Music is healing’: Eleanor McCain’s Canadian Songbook". Toronto Star, Shinan Govani, July 25, 2015
  15. ^ "Governor General Announces 90 New Appointments to the Order of Canada". December 30, 2013.
  16. ^ "Artists, scientists, educators among new Order of Canada appointments". Globe and Mail, March 25, 2017, Patrick Doyle
  17. ^ Tom Bateman, "YWCA salutes Women of Distinction at women's centre opening". Times & Transcript, May 29, 2017
  18. ^ "McCain family donates $8m for new Dal science facility""[permanent dead link]. Chronicle-Herald, Nov 8, 2011
  19. ^ https://www.msvu.ca/new-mccain-centre-celebrates-the-contributions-of-women/

External links

Lieutenant governors of New Brunswick
Chancellors of Mount Allison University
Categories