Paul Godfrey

Early life and background

Paul Victor Godfrey was born on January 12, 1939, in Toronto, Ontario, to a working class Jewish family. His early years were spent near the Kensington Market neighbourhood before the family moved to the Bathurst and Lawrence area. Godfrey pursued a technical education, training as a chemical engineer, which provided a foundational skill set for problem solving and management. This background, though not directly predictive of his future career, equipped him with an analytical approach that he would later apply in politics, media, and business.

Political career and municipal leadership

Paul Godfrey's entry into public service began in 1964 when he was elected as an alderman in North York, serving in that capacity until 1973. In 1970, he was appointed to North York's Board of Control to fill the vacancy left by the death of Controller John Booth, a move that also granted him a seat on the Metropolitan Toronto Council. He was re elected to the Board of Control in 1969. His most prominent political appointment came in 1973 following the death of Metro chairman Albert Campbell, when Godfrey was named Chairman of Metropolitan Toronto, a position he held for eleven years until 1984. During this period, he was a key supporter of the campaign that successfully elected pro development candidate Art Eggleton to unseat left wing Toronto mayor John Sewell. In 1985, he was reported to be part of Premier Frank Miller's informal kitchen cabinet, a group that met for breakfast discussions at the Sutton Place Hotel. Godfrey later served as chair of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation from 2009 until his dismissal by Premier Kathleen Wynne on May 16, 2013. He also endorsed Barrie MP Patrick Brown during the Ontario PC Party's 2015 leadership race.

Paul Godfrey entered politics as an alderman in North York in 1964. He was appointed to North York's Board of Control in 1970 and joined the Metropolitan Toronto Council. In 1973, he was appointed Chairman of Metropolitan Toronto, a position he held until 1984. He later served as chair of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation from 2009 until his dismissal in 2013. During the Ontario PC Party's 2015 leadership race, he endorsed Patrick Brown for leader.

• Elected alderman in North York (1964).
• Appointed to North York Board of Control (1970).
• Re elected to Board of Control (1969).
• Appointed Chairman of Metropolitan Toronto (1973).
• Served as Metro Chairman until 1984.
• Appointed chair of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (2009).
• Dismissed as OLG chair by Premier Kathleen Wynne (May 16, 2013).

Media leadership and the transformation of Sun Media

Upon leaving politics in 1984, Paul Godfrey joined the Toronto Sun as publisher and chief executive officer, marking the start of a significant chapter in Canadian media. He succeeded founder Douglas Creighton as president and chief operating officer of Toronto Sun Publishing in 1991 and became CEO in 1992 after Creighton was forced to resign by the board and parent company Maclean Hunter. In 1996, Godfrey led a successful management buyback, returning Sun Media to independent status. A major strategic move came in 1998 when he organized an asset swap with Conrad Black, trading the Financial Post for four daily newspapers in southwestern Ontario, which included the Hamilton Spectator, Kitchener Waterloo Record, Guelph Mercury, and Cambridge Reporter. When Torstar Corporation launched an unsolicited $748 million takeover bid for Sun Media in October 1998, Godfrey expressed surprise and helped secure a higher, successful $983 million bid from Quebecor Media Inc. two months later. After the sale, Quebecor forced significant cost cutting, including the elimination of 180 jobs from his newspaper operations. Godfrey stepped down as CEO of Sun Media in November 2000, with speculation that he was uncomfortable under Quebecor's control, but he remained on its board. His media career continued as president and CEO of The National Post in 2009, and on July 13, 2010, he assumed the role of president and CEO of Postmedia Network. He stepped down from that presidency in 2019, taking a $900,000 bonus during a period of company wide layoffs, and transitioned to the role of executive chairman.

Paul Godfrey joined the Toronto Sun as publisher and CEO in 1984. He became president and chief operating officer in 1991 and CEO in 1992. In 1996, he led a successful management buyback of Sun Media. He organized a deal with Conrad Black in 1998 to swap the Financial Post for four daily newspapers. Later in 1998, he sought out Quebecor as an alternative buyer when Sun Media received a takeover bid. He stepped down as CEO of Sun Media in 2000. He became president and CEO of the National Post in 2009 and of Postmedia Network in 2010, stepping down as CEO in 2019.

• Joined Toronto Sun as publisher and CEO (1984).
• Became president of Toronto Sun Publishing (1991).
• Led management buyback of Sun Media (1996).
• Swapped Financial Post for four southwestern Ontario dailies (1998).
• Facilitated Sun Media's sale to Quebecor for $983 million (1998).
• Stepped down as Sun Media CEO (November 2000).
• Became president and CEO of The National Post (2009).
• Appointed president and CEO of Postmedia Network (July 13, 2010).

SkyDome development and stadium corporation involvement

Paul Godfrey was deeply involved in the planning and development of Toronto's domed stadium, SkyDome. In 1984, he was appointed to the board of the Stadium Corporation of Ontario, a crown agency created along with Larry Grossman and Hugh Macaulay to choose the location and design for the new facility. He served on this board until February 1989, when he resigned amid accusations of a conflict of interest due to his simultaneous involvement with a group lobbying for a National Football League franchise for Toronto, allegations he denied. Godfrey remained on the board of directors of the separate Stadium Corporation entity until 1998, resigning shortly before SkyDome filed for bankruptcy protection. He stated that his resignation was meant to streamline decision making by aligning the directors and shareholders, saying it did not make sense to have separate director and shareholder meetings. This early involvement with major sports infrastructure laid the groundwork for his later direct management of a professional sports franchise.

Presidency of the Toronto Blue Jays and sports legacy

Paul Godfrey's most visible public role began on September 1, 2000, when he was appointed president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays following the team's purchase by Rogers Communications. His eight year tenure, which ended on September 22, 2008, was marked by significant financial investment and operational changes. Under his leadership, the team's player payroll increased from US $46 million to US $98 million. The Blue Jays posted winning records in four of those eight seasons but never finished higher than second place in the competitive American League East division. A landmark achievement was the 2004 purchase of SkyDome for $25 million, a fraction of its original $650 million construction cost, which gave the organization more latitude in controlling the total game experience. Godfrey was also a persistent campaigner to bring a National Football League franchise to Toronto, an effort that began during his time with the stadium corporation and continued beyond his tenure with the Blue Jays.

Paul Godfrey became president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays on September 1, 2000. He stepped down as president on September 22, 2008, after eight years. During his tenure, the team's payroll increased from US $46 million to US $98 million. The Blue Jays posted four winning seasons but never finished better than second place in their division. In 2004, the team purchased SkyDome for $25 million.

• Appointed president and CEO on September 1, 2000.
• Team payroll rose from US $46 million to US $98 million.
• The Blue Jays had four winning seasons out of eight.
• Team's best finish was second place in the AL East.
• Purchased SkyDome for $25 million in 2004.
• Stepped down as president on September 22, 2008.

Corporate directorships and board service

Beyond his executive leadership roles, Paul Godfrey served on the boards of several major Canadian corporations, contributing his strategic insight across different industries. His directorships included the now defunct CanWest Global Communications, a major media conglomerate. He also served as a director for RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, one of Canada's largest real estate investment trusts, and for CargoJet Income Fund, a leading Canadian air cargo carrier. He held a directorship at Astral, a media company later acquired by Bell Media. This breadth of board service demonstrates the high regard for his business acumen within the Canadian corporate community and his ability to operate across media, real estate, and logistics sectors.

Honours, awards, and philanthropic work

Paul Godfrey's contributions to Canadian society have been formally recognized with the nation's and province's highest honours. In 1999, he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. Over a decade later, in 2010, he was appointed to the Order of Ontario. In the sphere of philanthropy, Godfrey and his wife, Gina, established the Herbie Fund at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. This charitable fund is dedicated to supporting children from around the world who require complex surgical procedures not available in their home countries, covering the costs of their travel and medical care in Toronto. The fund represents a lasting personal commitment to charitable causes beyond his professional endeavours.

Questions about Paul Godfrey

What is Paul Godfrey known for?

Paul Godfrey is known as a businessman and former Canadian politician. He was instrumental in bringing the Toronto Blue Jays to Toronto. He served as Chairman of Metropolitan Toronto, President of the Toronto Sun, and head of the Toronto Blue Jays. He has also campaigned to bring the National Football League to Toronto and was the president and CEO of Postmedia Network.

What media companies did Paul Godfrey lead?

Paul Godfrey led several major media companies. He joined the Toronto Sun as publisher and CEO in 1984, later becoming its president and CEO. He orchestrated its management buyback in 1996 and its eventual sale to Quebecor for $983 million in 1998. Later, he served as president and CEO of The National Post starting in 2009 and became the president and CEO of Postmedia Network on July 13, 2010, a role he held until 2019, after which he became executive chairman.

When was Paul Godfrey president of the Toronto Blue Jays?

Paul Godfrey was president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays from September 1, 2000, until September 22, 2008. He took on this role when Rogers Communications purchased the baseball club. During his eight year tenure, the team's payroll increased from US $46 million to US $98 million. While the Blue Jays had four winning seasons, they never finished better than second place in their division. Notably, in 2004, the Blue Jays purchased SkyDome for $25 million, which gave Godfrey greater control over the fan experience.

What happened with Paul Godfrey and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation?

Paul Godfrey served as chair of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation from 2009 until May 16, 2013. On that date, he was fired from the position by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. This role was one of his significant appointments after his media career. His dismissal ended his four year leadership of the provincial gaming agency.

What honours has Paul Godfrey received?

Paul Godfrey was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1999. He was later appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2010. These are two of Canada's highest civilian honours, recognizing his contributions to public life. The Order of Canada appointment came after his political career and during his time in media. The Order of Ontario recognition followed his continued work in business and public service.

What is the Herbie Fund that Paul Godfrey established?

The Herbie Fund is a charitable fund that Paul Godfrey established with his wife, Gina, at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The notes list it as an external link reference, indicating it is a known philanthropic endeavour associated with him. The fund is named for a child named Herbie who was treated at the hospital. It supports the medical care of children from around the world who require specialized treatment.

Sources and further reading

• Paul Godfrey (Wikipedia)
• Paul Godfrey: What is the best business book ever? (financialpost.com)
• Paul Godfrey, former President of Postmedia Network and ... (leadership-institute.ca)
• Paul Godfrey: Evolution of a Canadian media mogul (theglobeandmail.com)
• Paul Godfrey (baseballhalloffame.ca)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-06.