Celebrating Dr. Joe Martin's Book Launch

On Wednesday, May 30 2018, The University of Winnipeg Foundation, together with Canada's History Society, welcomed staff, faculty, and friends to celebrate the launch of Dr. Joe Martin's new book, From Wall Street to Bay Street: The Origins and Evolution of American and Canadian Finance. Held in Convocation Hall, the afternoon reception was well received by guests as they enjoyed wine and cheese from Diversity Catering. A United College alumnus, [BA 58 (Hons)] Martin served on the inaugural Board of Directors for The University of Winnipeg Foundation from 2003 to 2014.

On behalf of all of us at The University of Winnipeg, the Foundation, and Canada's History Society, we would like to thank all guests for attending and congratulate Dr. Martin on this tremendous accomplishment.

About Dr. Joe Martin:

Dr. Joe Martin is the director of the Canadian Business and Financial History Initiative at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, and President Emeritus of Canada’s History Society. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by UWinnipeg in 1995. He has had a long distinguished career in the private financial sector and academia, and he was formerly the National Partner in Charge of a large management consulting firm.

Martin's research is focused on the development of case studies about Canadian business in a global context but has recently been completing research for a book comparing the Canadian and American financial systems from the late 18th century to 2008.

He currently serves as interim president of the Canadian Business History Association. Among many volunteer and service commitments, Martin is also a past president of the Manitoba Historical Society, past president and Fellow of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario, and past president of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants.

The 2008 financial crisis rippled across the globe and triggered a worldwide recession. Unlike the American banking system which experienced massive losses, takeovers, and taxpayer-funded bailouts, Canada's banking system withstood the crisis relatively well and maintained its liquidity and profitability. The divergence in the two banking systems can be traced to their distinct institutional and political histories. From Wall Street to Bay Street is the first book for a lay audience to tackle the similarities and differences between the financial systems of Canada and the United States.

About From Wall Street to Bay Street: The Origins and Evolution of American and Canadian Finance

Christopher Kobrak and Joe Martin reveal the different paths each system has taken since the early nineteenth-century, despite the fact that they both originate from the British system. The authors trace the roots of each country's financial systems back to Alexander Hamilton and insightfully argue that while Canada has preserved a Hamiltonian financial tradition, the United States has favoured the populist Jacksonian tradition since the 1830s.

The sporadic and inconsistent fashion in which the American system has changed over time is at odds with the evolutionary path taken by the Canadian system. From Wall Street to Bay Street offers a timely and accessible comparison of financial systems that reflect the political and cultural milieus of two of the world's top ten economies.

Click here to order a copy of From Wall Street to Bay Street: The Origins and Evolution of American and Canadian Finance