Henry N. R. Jackman

Class of 2002

Henry Newton Rowell Jackman, known to all as “Hal” Jackman, was born in 1932 in Toronto, Ontario. Hal is the son of former Member of Parliament Harry Jackson, whom he credits for an inherited sense of long-term investment savvy.

Jackman has a B.A. from the University of Toronto, and an LL.B. from the London School of Economics. He began his career at the age of 25, as an Executive Assistant to a Federal Minister. His financial instincts subsequently propelled him to the top of Canada’s financial sector, where he chaired or presided over several insurance and investment companies, including National Trust and Empire Life.

In 1991, Jackman was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and served his province in this role until 1997. During this time, he became of patron of more than 150 organizations in the arts, science, sports and charitable arenas. Even after Jackman’s career in public service was over, he continued to actively support many cultural, charitable and health care organizations at the local, provincial and national levels.

In 1997, Hal was named Chancellor of the University of Toronto. During his time as Chancellor, he was particularly generous in his support of educational initiatives, providing funding for scholarships and for the creation of a distinguished chair program.

Jackman has also been a longtime fundraiser for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, and became a supporter of the Canadian Alliance when it was formed prior to the 2000 election.  He was an advocate of the Unite the Right movement which resulted in the creation of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Henry N.R. Jackman was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1991, and was promoted to Officer in 2000. He was inducted into the Order of Ontario in 1998.