Keith Martin, M.P.

Born in London, England, Keith has a Bachelor of Science (with High Distinction) and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Toronto. Prior to becoming a physician, he held several jobs including being a correctional officer, and medical researcher. 

 

After graduating he worked in British Columbia as an emergency room physician and general practitioner from 1987 to 2006. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1993 winning five general elections in the riding of Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca on Vancouver Island. 

 

Dr. Martin’s work in Parliament has been quite broad and includes; health care, foreign affairs, international development, defence, social program renewal, the environment and poverty reduction. In Parliament he has championed important legislation including, a National Head Start Program for children, initiatives to democratize Parliament, ban landmines, health care (domestic and international), prevent deadly conflict, etc. He has been a delegate to conflicts in the Sudan, Colombia, the Middle East and Zimbabwe and has provided emergency relief in a number of areas including Southeast Asia after the tsunami, and various countries in Africa (a continent he has travelled to 26 times). He has held many positions in Parliament including Parliamentary Secretary for National Defence, and Chief Opposition Critic posts in Foreign Affairs, International Development, and Health. His work on the environment has been recognized by the Sierra Club. He was named by Macleans Magazine as one of the top 100 Canadians to watch.

 

Dr. Martin had a nationally syndicated TV show Beyond Politics from 1998 to 2002. He is a prolific writer and has written a bimonthly article in his riding for ten years, and has had more than 100 articles published in major newspapers across Canada.

 

On January 23, 2006 Dr. Martin was re-elected for a fifth term as the Member of Parliament for Esquimalt - Juan de Fuca. Since then he has served as both the Official Opposition Critic for International Cooperation and the Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs.