A Conversation with Tom Mulcair, Trent's 46th Ashley Fellow
Reflecting on his career spanning law, politics, teaching and media, Mulcair encourages students to embrace and affect change through civic engagement
Through the Ashley Fellowship, Trent University honours accomplished scholars and innovators who exemplify the University’s spirit of inquiry and engagement, inviting them to share their knowledge and experience with the campus community.
As this year's 46th Ashley Fellow, the Honourable Tom Mulcair returned to Trent, offering students and community members the unique opportunity to learn from his decades of leadership in public service and politics.
As part of his three-day residency in October – hosted by Traill College and Champlain College – Mulcair met with students and faculty across disciplines, including Canadian Studies, Sustainability Studies, and the Leadership & Democracy Lab, and delivered a public lecture on human rights and academic freedom.
In an interview with the University, Mulcair offered thoughtful reflection and advice for students on finding purpose, staying engaged, and navigating an ever-changing world.
Note: The Q&A has been abbreviated for length.
Q: How does it feel to be back at Trent and to serve as this year’s Ashley Fellow?
A: My first invitation came just before the pandemic, and we missed each other for a couple of years, so when the Ashley Fellowship came along, I snapped at it. I love Trent University. I’m so at home here. It’s very open and progressive, and has produced some of the great minds of Canadian policy and politics.
Q: What first inspired you to get involved in community and public life?
A: My parents were deeply involved in our community and raised ten children, so that sense of service was always there. But a major influence was a priest at my high school. He was a very forward-looking man with a broad vision of the world, deep understanding, and widely read. He constantly reminded us that we were lucky and had a responsibility to give back. From him, I learned both empathy and the conviction that individuals can make society fairer. That has stayed with me throughout my life.
Q: You’ve moved between law, public service, teaching, and media. How have you navigated those career transitions?
A: Teaching has always been a bit of a vocation for me. I first started teaching introductory law courses while still working at the Justice Department in Quebec City. I really wanted to teach, but I also had other things I wanted to keep doing. After leaving politics, I spent four years teaching graduate courses in environment and sustainable development in Montreal. It’s a unique and rewarding ability to work on stuff that you like. The media stuff is the same thing. I only do things that I find fun, and that’s the prerogative of having those years under your belt.
Q: What advice would you give to students who aren’t sure where they’re headed?
A: Take a taste. Try things. You don’t need to lock yourself in at 17 or 18. Take courses outside of your core area. Try finding a summer job in an area you’ve never considered. So much is asked of young people today. To come up with an idea for your career so young, I think that shuts doors needlessly. Keep an open mind about ideas, about people, about places, and things.
Q: What qualities do you think young professionals should develop to thrive in today’s world?
A: Hard work and curiosity. Get up early, get involved, talk to people. And importantly, don’t live your life online. Social media can isolate you. Real connection happens face-to-face, through conversation, collaboration, and shared experiences. That’s what makes communities like Trent so special.
Q: What would you say to people who feel disconnected from politics today?
A: I try to hammer home the idea that, yes, it’s lousy the way we do politics, but those political decisions are going to affect you for the rest of your life. If you’re concerned about sustainable development, politics is going to play a major role. You can change the attitudes in Parliament, but you can’t make it disappear. It’s the foundation of our democracy. I always make it my business to insist that students, in their very busy schedules, try to find time to attend one meeting a year. Doesn’t matter what level. Turning people on about getting involved a little bit in politics has always been important to me.
Q: Where do you see promise in the next generation of leaders and changemakers?
A: I love your question because it presumes that I see things optimistically, and I do. Young people are the hope for the world. When I authored Quebec’s Sustainable Development Act, I believed we had an obligation to future generations, and I still do. My biggest hope is that young people care a lot more about the environment and sustainable development than their parents did because they understand it better.
Mulcair will return for his second visit as Ashley Fellow March 24–26, 2026, highlighted by more student engagement opportunities and a special college dinner.
