The Winters Lecture Series is made possible by an endowment from the family of the Honourable Robert Henry Winters. Robert Winters, an engineer and a proud Nova Scotian, served in the Second World War, was a prominent Canadian politician, and an astute businessman. Through his political and business experience he became a keen supporter of both engineering and global entrepreneurship.
Robert Winters was born, raised and educated in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He took his Engineering degree at Mount Allison University; completing his Master of Engineering degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) in Boston.
Following the Second World War, in which he served as Lieutenant-Colonel, with the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Robert Winters entered politics as a Liberal in the 1945 election. He represented his home-town constituency of Queens-Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, appointed him to Cabinet in 1948. Winters held several cabinet posts including: the Minister of Reconstruction and Supply, the Minister of Resources and Development, and the Minister of Public Works.
Following his term in the St. Laurent government in 1957 he entered the corporate world as President of the Rio Algom Corporation. In late 1959 he became a vital component in the early years of York University, where he served as the first Chairman of the Board of Governors for six years. During his tenure his contributions and influence towards university fundraising were unparalleled to any seen before this time.
In 1965, Lester Pearson persuaded Winters to re-enter politics. He won his seat in the constituency of York West, Ontario, and was appointed minister of Trade and Commerce. During this time he was credited with the success of Expo ’67, in Montreal, Quebec.
In his bid to succeed Pearson at the 1968 Liberal leadership convention, Winters lost on the fourth ballot to Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Following this defeat he left politics to help promote harmony within the Party for the upcoming Federal election.
Winters’ return to the business world was highly successful. He was appointed CEO of Brazilian Light and Power, and served as a Director of numerous companies such as Caterpillar, Ford of Canada, Inco, and Algoma Steel. He also led the Churchill Falls project in Labrador.
Winters accepted the Chancellorship of the Nova Scotia Technical College in 1969. In October, weeks before his installation, he died. Robert Winters was 59.
Winters’ peers described him as a strong and intelligent leader, a great speaker, and a firm decision maker, with a unique personality that made him very likeable to all he encountered.
For many years his memory was kept alive through the generosity of his widow Eleanor Winters, and the Winters Family. Mrs. Winters passed away in March, 2005. The Winters family continues the legacy of this great man, who continues to be an inspiration both to all who remember him; and to upcoming generations as they learn of his strength of character and accomplishments.
