Margaret McCain

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.

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
Amos, Quebec, Canada
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1955; died 2011)​
Children4 (including Michael McCain)
Alma mater
ProfessionPhilanthropist

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
  • In 1994, she was invested as a Dame of Grace in the Most Venerable Order of Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.
  • In 1998, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and promoted to Companion in 2013.[15][16]
  • In 2003, she was made an Honorary Senior Fellow of Renison University College.
  • In 2004, she became a member of the Order of New Brunswick.
  • In 2005, she received the YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Award.[17]
  • In 2006, she received the Philanthropist of the Year award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals for donating time and money to Canada's National Ballet School, The Learning Partnership and Canadian Women's Foundation.[18]
  • In 2007, St. Thomas University named its newest academic building in her honour. Margaret Norrie McCain Hall, housing a theatre, study lounge, administration offices and classrooms, opened in January 2007.

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"". Chronicle-Herald, Nov 8, 2011
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