Paul Edgar Philippe Martin was born on August 29, 1939 in Windsor, Ontario.

Prior to entering politics, Martin was the CEO and owner of Canada Steamship Lines (later CSL Group).

He served as a Liberal Member of Parliament from 1988-2008. He also served as Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec from 1993-1996 and as Minister of Finance from 1993-2002.

In 2003, Paul Martin succeeded Prime Minister Jean Chrétien as leader of the Liberal Party.

Following the 2003 federal election, Paul Martin took office as the Prime Minister of Canada. He served as the 21st Prime Minister of Canada from December 12, 2003 to February 6, 2006.

When the Conservative Party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election, Martin resigned as leader of the Liberal Party and retired from politics shortly after.