Paul Victor Godfrey, CM, BASc, PEng (born January 12, 1939) is a Canadian politician and businessman.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Godfrey grew up in a working class Jewish family in the Kensington Market neighbourhood of Toronto and later moved to the Bathurst and Lawrence area of North York. After graduating from Bathurst Heights Secondary School, he attended the University of Toronto and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in chemical engineering. In 1999, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2001, he received an honorary degree from Ryerson University. In 2003, he was inducted into Nunavut's Anuckchuck Tribal League of Honour. He and his wife Gina have three children.
He entered politics as an alderman in the borough of North York in 1964, serving until 1973. That year, he was appointed Chairman of Metropolitan Toronto, serving until 1984. He then left politics and joined the Toronto Sun as publisher and CEO from 1984 to 1991. Following his departure from electoral politics he has remained a highly influential backroom broker. He was particularly influential during the mayoral terms of Art Eggleton and Mel Lastman and played an instrumental role in the election of both men.
He is currently chief executive officer and president of the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club[1] owned by Rogers Communications. Godfrey, who was one of the key supporters of the original proposal to bring a baseball team to the city, has also campaigned to bring the National Football League to Toronto.[2][3]
He is also a member of the board of directors of CanWest Global Communications, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and Astral Media.
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