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{{short description|Canadian politician}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{advert|date=December 2016}}
{{advert|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox MLA
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = Margarett Best.tif
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| constituency = [[Scarborough—Guildwood (provincial electoral district)|Scarborough—Guildwood]]
| constituency = [[Scarborough—Guildwood (provincial electoral district)|Scarborough—Guildwood]]
| party = [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| party = [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1958}}
| birth_place = [[May Pen]], [[Jamaica]]
| birth_place = [[May Pen]], [[Jamaica]]
| residence = Toronto
| residence = Toronto
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| spouse =
| spouse =
}}
}}
'''Margarett R. Best''' (born 1958) is a former politician in [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]. She was a [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]] member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 2007 to 2013 who represented the [[electoral district (Canada)|riding]] of [[Scarborough—Guildwood (provincial electoral district)|Scarborough—Guildwood]]. She was a cabinet minister in the government of [[Dalton McGuinty]].
'''Margarett R. Best''' is a former Canadian politician. She was a [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]] member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] (MPP) from 2007 to 2013 and represented the [[electoral district (Canada)|riding]] of [[Scarborough—Guildwood (provincial electoral district)|Scarborough—Guildwood]]. She was a cabinet minister in the government of [[Dalton McGuinty]].


==Background==
==Background==
Best, an [[Black Canadians|African Canadian]] lawyer and community activist, was born in Jamaica. She was educated at the [[University of Toronto|University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus]] and [[Osgoode Hall Law School]] of [[York University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Margarett Best re-elected in Scarborough-Guildwood |url=https://centennialjournalism.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/margarett-best-re-elected-in-scarborough-guildwood/ |date=October 29, 2011 |publisher=Centennial College}}</ref> She holds a Mutual Fund Certificate from the Investment Funds Institute of Canada.
Best, an [[Black Canadians|African Canadian]], was born in Jamaica. She was educated at the [[University of Toronto|University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus]] and [[Osgoode Hall Law School]] of [[York University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Margarett Best re-elected in Scarborough-Guildwood |url=https://centennialjournalism.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/margarett-best-re-elected-in-scarborough-guildwood/ |date=October 29, 2011 |publisher=Centennial College}}</ref>
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⚫
She was a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada Solicitor's Examination Blueprint Committee, the Board of the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham, Sheena's Place Breakfast Committee, and the College Compensations and Appointment Council.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}


⚫
==Politics==
⚫
She is a mother, an avid gardener who loves the arts and has a passion for writing. In 2006 she was awarded the ''African Canadian Achievement Award and another African Canadian Achievement Award in 2011 for Excellence in Politics.
Best was first elected to the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] in the [[2007 Ontario general election|2007 Ontario election]]. She was appointed [[Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport (Ontario)|Minister of Health Promotion and Sport]] by [[Dalton McGuinty]].<ref name="GlobeandMailJune2013">{{cite news |last=Morrow |first=Adrian |date=June 27, 2013 |title=By-election looms as Margarett Best resigns |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-mpp-former-cabinet-minister-margarett-best-resigns/article12871445/ |url-status=live |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |location=Toronto, Ontario |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028090600/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-mpp-former-cabinet-minister-margarett-best-resigns/article12871445/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=April 5, 2024}}{{subscription required}}</ref>


In 2008, she introduced legislation banning smoking in cars when children were present. The Bill called the ''Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act'' imposed a fine of $250 for transgressors.<ref>{{Cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Bill bans smoking in car with children; Legislation proposes fines of $250 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post-bill-bans-smoking-in-car-w/144822902/ |publisher=[[National Post]] |agency=[[Postmedia Network|Canwest News Service]] |date=May 1, 2008 |page=A12 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> She was the lead minister in Ontario's successful bid for the [[2015 Pan American Games]] and the [[2015 Parapan American Games]].<ref name=award>{{Cite news |last=Aveling |first=Nick |title=McGuinty shuffles cabinet; Liberal team set for 2011 election |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-windsor-star-mcguinty-shuffles-cabin/144823421/ |publisher=[[Windsor Star]] |agency=[[Postmedia Network|Postmedia News]] |date=August 19, 2010 |page=A10 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
⚫
In 2008, she was conferred with a Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree by the [[Northern Caribbean University]]. Best has also received the BBPA Women of Distinction Award and, in October 2009, was bestowed with a 2009 National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada Award in the Distinguished Services category of Equality/Social Justice. She was named one of Canada's most influential women in Sports and Physical Activity in 2010 and received a City of Toronto Diversity Award in 2011. In 2012, she received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work as a public servant and the 2012 Canadian Association of Black Lawyers(CABL)Pathfinder Award. She was awarded the Jackie Robinson's Fortitude Award, named one of Canada's 100 most Accomplished Black Women in 2016, and named the 2017 Canadian National Laureate for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

⚫
Best has also been recognized by the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham for her commitment to social and gender equality issues. She received a “Reaching Out and Giving Back Award” from the Prospect Primary School Alumni Association of Canada, and a Professional Award of Excellence from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
⚫
Best was re-elected in the [[2011 Ontario general election|2011 election]]. She was the first African-Canadian woman to be re-elected to the Provincial Legislature in the Province of Ontario.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yang |first=Jennifer |title=Tories go with another Gary; Party hopes ex-cop Ellis can oust minister Best |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-tories-go-with-another/144823692/ |publisher=[[Toronto Star]] |date=September 15, 2011 |page=GT5 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |via=newspapers.com }}</ref> Following the election, she was appointed [[Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (Ontario)|Minister of Consumer Services]].<ref name="GlobeandMailJune2013"/>
⚫
She was a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada Solicitor’s Examination Blueprint Committee, the Board of the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham, Sheena’s Place Breakfast Committee, and the College Compensations and Appointment Council.
⚫
Her community work includes advocating for public safety and diversity awareness as a member of the Ontario Provincial Police Advisory Committee. She presented seminars and facilitated entrepreneurial workshops for under-serviced youths and mentored young people on possible career choices in law, as a panelist with the Applause Institute; and was a member of the Mature Student Association and Black Law Student Association of Osgoode Hall Law School. She is a sponsor for PACE (Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education) for Love Lane Basic School, the Basic School she attended as a child in Jamaica. For the past six years, she has hosted an annual Scarborough Youth Career Fair in her Constituency of Scarborough-Guildwood. Responding to the recent incidents of youth gun violence, she hosted her first successful Youth Forum in January 2013.


⚫
In her capacity as Minister of Consumer Services, she introduced Bill 82, ''The Wireless Services Agreements Act, 2012'', an act to strengthen consumer protection with respect to consumer agreements relating to wireless services accessed from a cellular phone, smartphone or any other similar mobile device. The bill died when McGuinty prorogued the Ontario Legislature in October 2012. Best also did extensive work on reforming the ''Condominium Act'', including developing the framework for legislative reform of the act and leading the consultation process. She worked on the amendments to the ''Not for Profit Business Corporations Act'' and the ''Delegated Administrative Authorities Act'', which was introduced as part of the 2012 budget.
⚫
==Politics==
A member of the Ontario Legislature since 2007, she was appointed Minister of Minister of Consumer Services in October 2011, following her re-election to the Ontario Legislature as MPP, Scarborough-Guildwood.


⚫
She was a member of the Health Education and Social Policy Committee and the Legislation and Regulation Committee of the 39th and 40th Parliament of Ontario, and she sat on the Poverty Reduction Committee of the 39th Parliament of Ontario.
She was first elected in 2007, and appointed as the Minister of Health Promotion and Sport, which supported a wide range of programs and services that include chronic disease prevention, physical activity, sport participation, injury prevention and mental wellness.


⚫
In February 2013, she was appointed [[parliamentary assistant]] to the [[Ministry of Education (Ontario)|Minister of Education]] by the new premier [[Kathleen Wynne]]. Her exclusion from Wynne's first cabinet was initially reported as a demotion for political reasons,<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/02/10/wynne_makes_charles_sousa_finance_minister_in_cabinet_shuffle.html "Kathleen Wynne picks Charles Sousa as finance minister after Sandra Pupatello declines"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', February 10, 2013.</ref> although it was later revealed that Best had asked to have her duties reduced for undisclosed health reasons.<ref name=resignation>[https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/06/27/former_minister_margarett_best_resigning_as_mpp.html "Former minister Margarett Best resigning as MPP"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', June 27, 2013.</ref>
In 2008, she introduced legislation banning smoking in cars when children were present. The Bill called the ''Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act'' imposed a fine of $250 for transgressors.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Bill bans smoking in car with children; Legislation proposes fines of $250 | publisher = National Post | date = May 1, 2008 | page = A12}}</ref>


⚫
On June 27, 2013, she announced her resignation as MPP.<ref name=resignation />
In August 2010, the name of the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport was changed to include sports as part of the Ministry's name to reflect the fact that sport was a key component of her Ministerial responsibilities. She was the lead Minister and a key part of the team led by Premier Dalton McGuinty in Ontario's successful bid for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.<ref name=award>{{Cite news | title = McGuinty shuffles cabinet; Liberal team set for 2011 election | last = Aveling | first = Nick | publisher = Windsor Star | date = August 10, 2010 | page = A10}}</ref>
⚫
Best was re-elected 2011. The result was significant because it made her the first Black / African-Canadian woman to be re-elected to the Provincial Legislature in the Province of Ontario.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Tories go with another Gary; Party hopes ex-cop Ellis can oust minister Best | last = Yang | first = Jennifer | publisher = Toronto Star | date = September 15, 2011 | page = GT5}}</ref> Following the election, she was appointed as Minister of Consumer Services by Dalton McGuinty.


===Awards and recognition===
⚫
In her capacity as Minister of Consumer Services, she introduced Bill 82, The Wireless Services Agreements Act, 2012, an Act to strengthen consumer protection with respect to consumer agreements relating to wireless services accessed from a cellular phone, smart phone or any other similar mobile device. The Bill died when Premier Dalton McGuinty prorogued the Ontario Legislature in October 2012. Best also did extensive work on reform of the Condominium Act, including developing the framework for legislative reform of the Act and led the consultation process. She worked on the amendments to the Not for Profit Business Corporations Act; and the reform of the Delegated Administrative Authorities Act, which was introduced as part of the 2012 Budget Bill. She introduced several consumer protection initiatives.
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}

⚫
In 2006, Best was awarded the African Canadian Achievement Award. She was awarded another African Canadian Achievement Award in 2011 for excellence in politics.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
⚫
She was a member of the Health Education and Social Policy Committee and the Legislation and Regulation Committee of the 39th and 40th Parliament of Ontario, and she sat on the Poverty Reduction Committee of the 39th Parliament of Ontario.


⚫
In 2008, she was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the [[Northern Caribbean University]]. Best has also received the BBPA Women of Distinction Award and, in October 2009, was bestowed with a 2009 National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada Award in the Distinguished Services category of Equality/Social Justice.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} She was named one of Canada's most influential women in Sports and Physical Activity in 2010 and received a City of Toronto Diversity Award in 2011. In 2012, she received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work as a public servant and the 2012 Canadian Association of Black Lawyers(CABL)Pathfinder Award. She was awarded the Jackie Robinson's Fortitude Award, named one of Canada's 100 most Accomplished Black Women in 2016, and named the 2017 Canadian National Laureate for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
⚫
In February 2013, she was appointed as [[parliamentary assistant]] to the Minister of Education by the new premier [[Kathleen Wynne]]. Her exclusion from Wynne's first cabinet was initially reported as a demotion for political reasons,<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/02/10/wynne_makes_charles_sousa_finance_minister_in_cabinet_shuffle.html "Kathleen Wynne picks Charles Sousa as finance minister after Sandra Pupatello declines"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', February 10, 2013.</ref> although it was later revealed that Best had asked to have her duties reduced for undisclosed health reasons.<ref name=resignation>[https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/06/27/former_minister_margarett_best_resigning_as_mpp.html "Former minister Margarett Best resigning as MPP"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', June 27, 2013.</ref>


⚫
Best has also been recognized by the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham for her commitment to social and gender equality issues. She received a "Reaching Out and Giving Back Award" from the Prospect Primary School Alumni Association of Canada, and a Professional Award of Excellence from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
⚫
On June 27, 2013, she announced her resignation as a MPP.<ref name=resignation />


===Cabinet posts===
===Cabinet posts===
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{OntarioMPPbio|ID=7087}}
*{{OntarioMPPbio|id=margarett-r-best}}

{{McGuinty Ministry}}

{{authority control}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Best, Margarett}}
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[[Category:People from Scarborough, Ontario]]
[[Category:Politicians from Toronto]]
[[Category:Politicians from Toronto]]
[[Category:University of Toronto alumni]]
[[Category:University of Toronto alumni]]
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[[Category:Women government ministers of Canada]]
[[Category:Women MPPs in Ontario]]
[[Category:Women MPPs in Ontario]]
[[Category:Black Canadian women]]
[[Category:Black Canadian women]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario]]
[[Category:21st-century women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian women politicians]]
[[Category:Black Canadian lawyers]]
[[Category:Black Canadian activists]]

Latest revision as of 00:03, 24 September 2024

Margarett Best
Ontario MPP
In office
2007–2013
Preceded byNew riding
Succeeded byMitzie Hunter
ConstituencyScarborough—Guildwood
Personal details
BornMay Pen, Jamaica
Political partyLiberal
Children3
ResidenceToronto
OccupationLawyer

Margarett R. Best is a former Canadian politician. She was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (MPP) from 2007 to 2013 and represented the riding of Scarborough—Guildwood. She was a cabinet minister in the government of Dalton McGuinty.

Background

[edit]

Best, an African Canadian, was born in Jamaica. She was educated at the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus and Osgoode Hall Law School of York University.[1]

She was a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada Solicitor's Examination Blueprint Committee, the Board of the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham, Sheena's Place Breakfast Committee, and the College Compensations and Appointment Council.[citation needed]

Politics

[edit]

Best was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2007 Ontario election. She was appointed Minister of Health Promotion and Sport by Dalton McGuinty.[2]

In 2008, she introduced legislation banning smoking in cars when children were present. The Bill called the Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act imposed a fine of $250 for transgressors.[3] She was the lead minister in Ontario's successful bid for the 2015 Pan American Games and the 2015 Parapan American Games.[4]

Best was re-elected in the 2011 election. She was the first African-Canadian woman to be re-elected to the Provincial Legislature in the Province of Ontario.[5] Following the election, she was appointed Minister of Consumer Services.[2]

In her capacity as Minister of Consumer Services, she introduced Bill 82, The Wireless Services Agreements Act, 2012, an act to strengthen consumer protection with respect to consumer agreements relating to wireless services accessed from a cellular phone, smartphone or any other similar mobile device. The bill died when McGuinty prorogued the Ontario Legislature in October 2012. Best also did extensive work on reforming the Condominium Act, including developing the framework for legislative reform of the act and leading the consultation process. She worked on the amendments to the Not for Profit Business Corporations Act and the Delegated Administrative Authorities Act, which was introduced as part of the 2012 budget.

She was a member of the Health Education and Social Policy Committee and the Legislation and Regulation Committee of the 39th and 40th Parliament of Ontario, and she sat on the Poverty Reduction Committee of the 39th Parliament of Ontario.

In February 2013, she was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education by the new premier Kathleen Wynne. Her exclusion from Wynne's first cabinet was initially reported as a demotion for political reasons,[6] although it was later revealed that Best had asked to have her duties reduced for undisclosed health reasons.[7]

On June 27, 2013, she announced her resignation as MPP.[7]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

In 2006, Best was awarded the African Canadian Achievement Award. She was awarded another African Canadian Achievement Award in 2011 for excellence in politics.[citation needed]

In 2008, she was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the Northern Caribbean University. Best has also received the BBPA Women of Distinction Award and, in October 2009, was bestowed with a 2009 National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada Award in the Distinguished Services category of Equality/Social Justice.[citation needed] She was named one of Canada's most influential women in Sports and Physical Activity in 2010 and received a City of Toronto Diversity Award in 2011. In 2012, she received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work as a public servant and the 2012 Canadian Association of Black Lawyers(CABL)Pathfinder Award. She was awarded the Jackie Robinson's Fortitude Award, named one of Canada's 100 most Accomplished Black Women in 2016, and named the 2017 Canadian National Laureate for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.[citation needed]

Best has also been recognized by the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham for her commitment to social and gender equality issues. She received a "Reaching Out and Giving Back Award" from the Prospect Primary School Alumni Association of Canada, and a Professional Award of Excellence from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.[citation needed]

Cabinet posts

[edit]
Ontario provincial government of Dalton McGuinty
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
John Gerretsen Minister of Consumer Services
2011–2013 		Tracy MacCharles
Jim Watson Minister of Health Promotion
2007–2011 		Deb Matthews

Electoral record

[edit]
2011 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Margarett Best 15,606
Progressive Conservative Gary Ellis 9,137
New Democratic Lorri Urban 6,193
Green Naoshad Pochkhanawala 413
Libertarian Sam Apelbaum 407
Freedom Matthew Oliver 134
Total valid votes 100.0
2007 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Margarett Best 14,413 42.5
Progressive Conservative Gary Grant 9,484 28.0
New Democratic Neethan Shan 7,442 21.9
Green Glenn Kitchen 1,812 5.3
Libertarian Sam Apelbaum 487 1.4
Family Coalition Daniel Carvalho 290 0.9
Total valid votes 33,928 100.0

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Margarett Best re-elected in Scarborough-Guildwood". Centennial College. October 29, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Morrow, Adrian (June 27, 2013). "By-election looms as Margarett Best resigns". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2024.(subscription required)
  3. ^ "Bill bans smoking in car with children; Legislation proposes fines of $250". National Post. Canwest News Service. May 1, 2008. p. A12. Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Aveling, Nick (August 19, 2010). "McGuinty shuffles cabinet; Liberal team set for 2011 election". Windsor Star. Postmedia News. p. A10. Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Yang, Jennifer (September 15, 2011). "Tories go with another Gary; Party hopes ex-cop Ellis can oust minister Best". Toronto Star. p. GT5. Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Kathleen Wynne picks Charles Sousa as finance minister after Sandra Pupatello declines". Toronto Star, February 10, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Former minister Margarett Best resigning as MPP". Toronto Star, June 27, 2013.
[edit]
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