He is currently the executive director of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health in Washington, D.C.[1] Martin was born in London, UK, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

[citation needed] In both 2009 and 2010, political commentator Rex Murphy, from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's The National, recognized Martin as the most underrated politician in the House of Commons.

[7] Martin led many initiatives in the House of Commons, including legislation to ban landmines (1995, 1996), establish an international mechanism to prevent deadly conflict (Responsibility to Protect) 2007, democratize Parliament, support early learning programs (Head Start) 2000, and modernize Canada's healthcare system.

[citation needed] Martin has been on diplomatic missions to areas in crisis, including Sudan, the Middle East, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and the Sahal.

He led initiatives to provide emergency relief in times of crisis, e.g., the 2004 tsunami, famine in Niger, North Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, etc.

[citation needed] On April 17, 2002, he caused a controversy as he attempted to remove the ceremonial mace from the table of the Clerk of the House to protest an intervention by the government that violated MP's fundamental democratic rights.

[citation needed] Martin has organized several relief efforts to ship urgent medical supplies to areas in crisis.

[35] November 2014, Martin made presentations on the nexus between environmental sustainability, conservation, and human health at the World Parks Congress in Sydney, Australia.