Charles Joseph (Joe) Clark was born June 5, 1939, in High River, Alberta, Canada. He obtained his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Alberta where he also taught political science for two years. He holds LL.D. (Honorary) degrees from the Universities of New Brunswick, Calgary and Alberta.
In 1967 he came to Ottawa to support The Honourable Davie Fulton's campaign for his Party's leadership. Mr. Clark then served as Special Assistant to The Honourable Robert Stanfield, Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. In 1972, he returned to Alberta to stand as the Progressive Conservative candidate for a seat in the House of Commons. He was elected and became the Member of Parliament for the riding of Rocky Mountain. He has been re-elected to the House of Commons in the ensuing five federal elections and now represents the riding of Yellowhead.
Elected National Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 1976, he assumed the title of Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. The 1979 federal election produced no clear winner and following the resignation of the then Prime Minister, Mr. Clark was asked to form a minority government. He became the youngest Prime Minister in Canadian history, and the first native Westerner to hold that office.
His government was defeated following a vote on the budget and, despite a strong campaign, lost the 1980 election. While in Opposition for that term, Mr. Clark led what has been called "the most effective parliamentary Opposition in Canadian history".
In 1983, Mr. Clark stepped down as Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. In September of the following year, when the Progressive Conservative Party won a majority in the federal election, Mr. Clark was appointed Secretary of State for External Affairs. In that capacity, he played a lead role in Canada's, and the world community's, efforts to bring an end to apartheid in South Africa. He was the first western Foreign Minister to meet with Nelson Mandela following Mr. Mandela's release from prison.
With the end of the Cold War, Mr. Clark put in place a new policy towards Europe, proposing far reaching reforms of both NATO and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the CSCE). In Ottawa, he chaired the opening round of the "Open Skies" arms control talks, which went on to become the first post-Cold War arms control agreement. At the United Nations, Mr. Clark advanced a new concept of "cooperative security", building on Canada's long-standing belief in multilateral diplomacy, and international law.
Mr. Clark took initiatives to increase dialogue in the Pacific Rim region, recognizing Canada's growing economic and security interest in that area. He proposed a North Pacific Security Dialogue, in which countries of the region are showing new interest. Mr. Clark also presided over Canada's joining of the Organization of American States in 1989.
During the Persian Gulf crisis, Mr. Clark worked to ensure that the world's response proceeded under the auspices of the United Nations. For his efforts during that crisis, Mr. Clark received the first Vimy Award, in 1992, from the Canadian Conference of Defence Associations.
On April 22nd, 1991, Mr. Clark was appointed President of the Privy Council and Minister Responsible for Constitutional Affairs. On behalf of the Government of Canada, he led an intense process of public consultation across Canada, including six multilateral meetings on the constitution, involving 11 provincial and territorial governments, the federal government and four national Aboriginal leaders. That process led to an unprecedented consensus on constitutional change, including Senate reform, Aboriginal self-government, and the recognition of Quebec's place within confederation. That consensus served as the basis for further discussions by First Ministers, including the premier of Quebec, and aboriginal leaders which led to the Charlottetown Accord.
For his efforts in securing progress on Aboriginal issues, Mr. Clark was named Honorary Chief Bald Eagle by the Samson Cree Nation in May 1992, and was awarded the Aboriginal Order of Canada by the Native Council of Canada in February, 1993.
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