Thomas
K. Shoyama was born, 1916, Kamloops, British Columbia, to parents who,
as refugees, immigrated to Victoria, British Columbia, near the turn of
the last century, from Kyushu, Japan. A distinguished Canadian who has
lived an exemplary life of public service, Mr. Shoyama graduated in Economics
(B.A.) and Commerce (B.Com.), University of British Columbia, 1938. Between
1939-1945, Mr. Shoyama worked as the editor and publisher of a civil rights
weekly newspaper in Vancouver and Kaslo, B.C. Briefly serving in the Intelligence
Corps of the Canadian Army following the end of World War II, Mr. Thomas
Shoyama gained employment between 1946-64 with the Saskatchewan government,
first as a government research economist and later as an economic advisor
to the Premier of the Province. By 1964, he had moved to Ottawa to join
the Economic Council of Canada as a senior economist. Upon transferring
to the Department of Finance, 1968, he served as Assistant Deputy Minister,
1968-74, in successive branches of the Department. By 1975, Mr. Shoyama
had become Deputy Minister of Finance, retiring, 1979, to act as Special
Advisor on the Constitution in the Privy Council Office. He was also elected
Chairman, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the same year. Before retiring
from the Government of Canada, 1980, Mr. Shoyama was recognized with the
Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service of Canada. He then
started a new career, age 64, by accepting a professorship at the University
of Victoria, School of Public Administration and Centre for Pacific and
Oriental Studies, positions he held until he was 76 years old. The year
he retired from teaching, 1992, he was appointed by the Government of Japan
to the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star. Elected Officer
of the Order of Canada, 1978, Mr. Shoyama is the honoured recipient of
the Vanier Medal, 1982, and holds honorary degrees from both the University
of British Columbia and the University of Windsor. In this view, Thomas
Shoyama, Deputy Minister, Finance, 1975-79, sits at his desk in Ottawa.
[Photo, courtesy Thomas K. Shoyama]