Deciding to get into politics wasn’t a hard decision for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Since he was young, his father regularly lectured him and his nine siblings at the kitchen table on the importance of making a change. Premier McGuinty’s father, Dalton McGuinty Sr., a professor and MPP for the Ottawa South riding, encouraged his children to make a name for themselves.

“He used to say, it is never good enough to grow up and to get a job and just pay taxes. [He said] you better each find a way to make a contribution to improve quality of life for your community,” recalls Ontario’s 24th Premier.

McGuinty earned a science degree from McMaster University and a law degree from the University of Ottawa before starting his own law practice in Ottawa. However, the sudden death of his father changed the course of his life. He and his siblings had to decide who would continue their father’s legacy since so much was already invested into the family’s name and reputation.

One evening, the McGuinty’s all sat down and took turns debating who should replace their father. When it was Dalton’s turn, he gave them his reasons as to why he should be chosen.

“Now, one of the little considerations, very modest, that I used was that I should run because my name is already on the signs. So, I don’t have to buy new signs, right? It was the economic argument,” he jokingly said.

In 1990, Dalton McGuinty became the MPP for Ottawa South and then the leader of the Ontario Liberals in 1996. Then in October 2003, he was elected Premier of Ontario and the rest as they say is history.

Premier McGuinty says he wants to be known as the “education premier” and since coming into office, he has made significant changes to the province’s education system. He says he is “making the single biggest investment in post secondary education in three generations.” By reforming the way education in Ontario is delivered, the Premier says it will increase the standard and quality of living for future generations.

Thanks to recent reforms, the high school drop out rate has reduced since students are now required to stay in school until the age of 18. What’s new is a ‘high skills’ diploma, which allows students to receive their education without having to learn in a high school.

Premier McGuinty can’t stress enough how much his education and parents have contributed to his success. He thanks his parents for devoting themselves completely to their children. While the hours are crazy and he spends too much time away from the people most important in his life, Premier McGuinty says it is a “huge privilege” to serve others as their premier. 

UC411 sat down with the premier in his office and asked him to share some secrets on pursuing a successful career in politics.

What challenges do you face as Premier?
“[An] ongoing challenge is just inspiring confidence in politics. I’m not sure if it has ever been more fashionable to be cynical. I don’t buy that. People who have allowed themselves to become cynical have given up on what is most honourable about people. It is this notion that we can come together and do great things for one another. And when you say you give up on politics, on our political institutions and our politicians, than you have turned your back on our potential as people to do great things.”

What is the best part of your job?
“One is you get to meet so many people. I met just by relation to this job thousands and thousands of people. And you are inspired by those people. You get to meet everyone from heads of state, to people who say hello to you on the street. The people I get most inspiration from are just everyday anonymous struggling heroes.”

How important is education?
”I simply cannot exaggerate the value of education. Fundamentally, it is about ensuring that people achieve their potential whatever that might be. What drives me in my capacity as an elected representative is opportunity. It is all about ensuring that people have a fair shot of success.”

Is education created equally?
“My message to young people is that you need to go beyond high school. It is up to you whether you choose to go to pursue training opportunities, college or university.  I treat them all equally. Each will bring you greater rewards in terms of your standard of living and quality of life. But you simply cannot come to an end of your education after you’ve completed Grade 12”.

What do you have to say to students who are interested in pursuing a trade?
”We are suffering from a terrible shortage of skilled workers… Just because this is a so-called knowledge based economy, [it] shouldn’t lead us to somehow interpret [it] as meaning that knowledge is only to be found in college or university. That is a huge mistake. There is tremendous knowledge associated with skilled trade’s people and crafts people. Which by the way, leads to very rewarding and lucrative careers”.

What are the steps to get into politics?
“There are no preset qualifications for politics. Politics fundamentally is not about programs, budgets and policies. It is about public service, so what you need to have to be an effective public servant is a sincere desire to serve others. That is fundamentally what politics is all about…I suggest you get involved with a political campaign and become a volunteer in that capacity. Learn how the political system works. And maybe, ideally, get to volunteer or get a summer job in a political office.  We hire students here every summer. Then you will be well positioned to understand what is like and can make an assessment as to whether you want to pursue that.”

Do you have a motto you live by?
My dad actually invented a family motto, what I thought was weird at the time. He actually put it in Latin. ‘Nay Unquam Respectsorit’. It means “Never look back.”