Fonds 1232 - Hershell Ezrin fonds

Identity area

Reference code

UTA 1232

Title

Hershell Ezrin fonds

Date(s)

  • 1947- 2017 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

1.11m (10 boxes) of textual records
0.1m (1 boxes) of graphic material
5 oversized folders of graphic material
1 framed graphic item
11 folders of oversized textual material
13 framed editorial cartoons
67 digital files (2.7 GB; .jpeg & .mp4)
1 vinyl disc
2 artifacts

Context area

Name of creator

(1947 -)

Biographical history

Hershell Elliott Ezrin (b. 1947) is a former diplomat, political advisor, and senior corporate executive. With his background in both provincial and federal politics and later involvement in the corporate sector, he is highly regarded for his expertise in strategic communication and public policy.

Ezrin was born in Toronto and attended the University of Toronto (Honours B.A., 1968). He later received his Masters in History and Economics from Carlton University (M.A. 1969) where his graduate work focused on developments within the Conservative Party of Canada. Following his studies, Ezrin joined the Department of External Affairs (1969) where he worked as a diplomat in offices including New Delhi, Los Angeles, and New York. As Canadian Consul in New York (1978-1981), Ezrin managed media relations with American and foreign press through the sovereignty debates and the 1980 Quebec referendum.

In 1981, Mr. Ezrin returned to Ottawa when seconded to the role of Executive Director of the Canadian Unity Information Office. The federal office managed communications around public policy and, in the period of Ezrin’s tenure, was focused on publicizing the Constitution Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. During this period, he was also a member of the federal-provincial relations team within the Privy Council Office under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Ezrin transitioned to Ontario provincial politics in 1982, accepting the position of Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition, David Peterson. Subsequent to the Liberal’s successful 1985 electoral campaign, in which Ezrin was responsible for policy and communications, he was appointed the Deputy Minister to the Premier and later, Senior Strategist for the following 1987 campaign.

Following his time in politics, Ezrin moved to the corporate sector accepting a position as Senior Vice-President with Molson Companies Limited (1988-1992). He subsequently worked with a number of businesses and organizations, including positions as President and CEO of Speedy Muffler Inc. (1995-1998), Chair and CEO of GPC Canada (1998-2003), and as founding CEO of the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA, 2002-2010). He also served on the Board of Directors for corporations including Torstar, Suncor, SMK Speedy and Private Mortgage Insurers (PMI).

Ezrin currently serves as Senior Counsel with Global Public Affairs and Managing Director of Ezrin Communications. He also teaches at Seneca College and Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto.

Throughout his career, Ezrin has also volunteered on numerous committees and boards including the Public Policy Forum of Canada, Canadian Journalism Foundation, the Joint Community Relations Committee of Canadian Jewish Congress, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award Foundation and as Chair of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In acknowledgment of Ezrin’s continued dedication to community and public life, he was presented with a HIPPY (Home Instruction of Parents of Pre-school Youngsters) Award in 2011. In 2020, Ezrin was named Officer of the Order of Ontario. For a list of volunteer roles held by Mr. Ezrin, see Appendix.

Hershell Ezrin is married to Dr. Sharyn Salsberg Ezrin, a psychologist and author, and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Material transfered from creator.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Fonds consists of material related to the professional life of Hershell Ezrin, in particular his career in provincial and federal government. Records document his transition between roles as Canadian Consul, Executive Director of the Canadian Unity Information Office, and later, Principal Secretary to Ontario Premier, David Peterson. Extensive correspondence and press clippings reflect professional moves as well as the large network of individuals surrounding Ezrin in his positions in both the public and corporate sectors. The fonds also consists of addresses given by Ezrin following his time at Queen’s Park, personal and family correspondence and photographs, as well as images and publicity material related to the negotiations and patriation of the Constitution Act. Additionally, the fonds consists of Mr. Ezrin’s collection of editorial cartoons and bibliographic material. See series descriptions for additional details.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Records in the Hershell Ezrin fonds follow an imposed order as no consistent original order could be discerned.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

The following two files are restricted for a period of 15 years:
-B2017-0021/001(08) and
-B2017-0021/003(01)

All other files are open.

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Uploaded finding aid

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Accession

B2017-0021

Access points

Subject access points

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Name access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

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Dates of creation revision deletion

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