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Jean Augustine

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The Honourable
Jean Augustine
PC CM OOnt CBE
Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women
In office
May 2, 2002 – July 31, 2004
Prime MinisterJean Chretien
Paul Martin
Preceded byClaudette Bradshaw
Succeeded byRaymond Chan
Fairness Commissioner of Ontario
In office
March 1, 2007 – March 20, 2015
PremierDalton McGuinty
Kathleen Wynne
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byMary Shenstone
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada
In office
December 6, 1993 – February 22, 1996
Prime MinisterJean Chretien
Preceded byAndré Harvey
Succeeded byRey Pagtakhan
Member of Parliament
for Etobicoke—Lakeshore
In office
October 25, 1993 – January 23, 2006
Preceded byPatrick Boyer
Succeeded byMichael Ignatieff
Personal details
Born (1937-09-09) September 9, 1937 (age 87)
St. George's, Grenada
Political partyLiberal
Residence(s)Toronto, Ontario
Alma materUniversity of Toronto (BA, MEd)
ProfessionEducator, community organizer

Jean Augustine PC CM OOnt CBE (born September 9, 1937) is a Grenada-born Canadian politician. She was the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a federal Minister of the Crown and Member of Parliament.

Prior to entering politics in 1993, Jean Augustine had a career in education.[1] She enrolled in Toronto Teachers’ College, graduating with an Ontario teaching certificate in 1963. She went on to work as a teacher in the Toronto Catholic District School Board, eventually becoming a school principal.[1]

From 1993 to 2006, Jean Augustine was elected as the Liberal Party of Canada's member of the House of Commons of Canada for the riding (Federal Electoral District) of Etobicoke—Lakeshore in Toronto, Ontario. Ms. Augustine was the Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien from 1994 to 1996. She subsequently served as the Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women in the Cabinet of Canada from 2002 to 2004.

Following her retirement from politics, she has served as the patron of several non-profit organizations across Canada.[2] From 2007 to 2015, Ms. Augustine served as the first Fairness Commissioner of Ontario.[2]

Early life and education

Augustine was born on September 9th, 1937, in St. George's, Grenada, and immigrated to Canada in 1960 under the West Indian Domestic Scheme, which ran from 1955 to 1966.[1] She attended Toronto Teachers’ College before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and later, a Master of Education (1980), also from the University of Toronto[2] while working as an elementary school teacher. Augustine was later promoted to principal, then Supervisory Officer. In 1968, Augustine married Winston Augustine, but they subsequently divorced in 1981. They have two daughters.[1]

In addition to her teaching career with the Catholic School board(Metropolitan Separate School Board) in Toronto, Augustine was also actively involved in Toronto's Caribbean community, sitting on the first committee to organize the Caribana Festival in 1967.[1]

As a social activist, Augustine volunteered and worked with many social justice and educational organizations.[1][3] They included service with the National Black Coalition of Canada, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR). She was appointed as chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority. She was also named national president of the Congress of Black Women of Canada in 1987.[4]

Augustine served on various boards during this period, includingYork University's Board of Governors, The Hospital for Sick Children, the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Toronto's Harbourfront Corporation.[4]

In 1988, Augustine was appointed as chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority, a multi-million dollar social housing authority serving 300,000 residents in rent-geared to income housing.[1]

Political career (1993-2005)[3]

In 1993, Jean Augustine became the first African-Canadian woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons, as the Member of Parliament from the Greater Toronto Area constituency of Etobicoke-Lakeshore.[1] [2]She served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for four consecutive terms, being re-elected three times.

Augustine held many portfolios and positions during her time as an elected member of Canada's federal government, including as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Jean Chrétien); Minister of Multiculturalism and the Status of Women; Chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committee; Chair of the Human Rights Committee, three-time Chair of the National Women’s Caucus. In 2004, she was elected Assistant Deputy Speaker by her fellow parliamentarians.[1]

Augustine's parliamentarian achievements include legislation to protect disadvantaged low-income individuals including single mothers raising children; securing unanimous legislative support to pass a motion designating February as Black History Month in Canada[2]; securing unanimous legislative support to pass a motion to erect the Famous Five Monument on Parliament Hill.

Later life

In 2007, the Government of Ontario appointed Augustine as the first Fairness Commissioner, a position created to advocate for Canadians with foreign professional credentials.[5] Augustine retired from the position in March 2015.[6]

In 2007, Augustine donated her personal papers and memorabilia to the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections at York University. The collection is known as the Jean Augustine Fonds.[7] "Pushing buttons, pushing stories" is a digital exhibit of Augustine's personal political buttons.[8][9]

In 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education in the New Urban Environment was established as an endowed chair at York University, with Prof. Nombuso Dlamini appointed the first chair (2010-15).[10] The chair was renamed as the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora York University.[11][12] In 2016, the present chair holder, Faculty of Education professor and Distinguished Research Professor, Carl James, was appointed for a five-year term, which was renewed.[13] In 2023 the Jean Augustine Chair received funding from the federal government of Canada, making it a fully-funded endowed chair.[14][15]

Augustine serves as the patron, visitor or honorary chair of a number of organizations, including the NATO Association of Canada.

Honours and awards

  • In 2022, a film [16] that recapped Jean Augustine's life and achievements was premiered in Toronto and Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as special guest.[17] The creative team behind the team includes documentary filmmakers Fahim Ali, Ali Umair and John Challinor III.
  • In 2021, Augustine was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from Maclean's Magazine, as part of its 12th annual Parliamentarians of the Year awards.[18][19]
  • Augustine was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, University of Toronto. In 2009, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from McGill University. In 2017, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Trent University.[20]
  • She has received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, the Kay Livingstone Award, the Ontario Volunteer Award, an African Canadian Achievement Award (Pride News Magazine), the Rubena Willis Special Recognition Award, and the Toronto Lions' Club Onyx Award.[1]
  • In 2009, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada "for her distinguished career as an educator, politician and advocate for social justice in Canada".[21]
  • She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to education and politics in Grenada, from which she had emigrated 54 years previously.[22]
  • The Jean Augustine Scholarship Fund was named for her, which she helps support with fundraising. It assists single mothers to undertake post-secondary study at George Brown College.
  • Jean Augustine Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario is named for her.[23]
  • Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Girls’ Leadership Academy.[24]
  • In 2011 Augustine was one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners.[25]

Electoral record

2004 Canadian federal election: Etobicoke—Lakeshore
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jean Augustine 24,909 50.2 Decrease1.5
Conservative John Capobianco 15,159 30.6 Decrease10.0
New Democratic Margaret Anne McHugh 7,179 14.4 Increase7.9
Green John Huculiak 2,201 4.4
Marxist–Leninist Janice Murray 129 0.2 0.0
Total valid votes 49,577 100.0

Note: Conservative vote is compared to the total of the Canadian Alliance vote and Progressive Conservative vote in 2000 election.

2000 Canadian federal election: Etobicoke—Lakeshore
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jean Augustine 22,467 51.8 Increase5.6
Alliance David Court 9,160 21.1 Increase2.1
Progressive Conservative David Haslam 8,453 19.5 Decrease3.4
New Democratic Richard Joseph Banigan 2,835 6.5 Decrease2.4
Natural Law Don Jackson 244 0.6 Increase0.3
Marxist–Leninist Janice Murray 116 0.3 0.0
Communist Ed Bil 113 0.3
Total valid votes 43,388 100.0

Note: Canadian Alliance vote is compared to the Reform vote in 1997 election.

1997 Canadian federal election: Etobicoke—Lakeshore
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jean Augustine 21,180 46.2 +4.1
Progressive Conservative Charles Donley 10,509 22.9 -8.0
Reform Robert Beard 8,697 19.0 +0.2
New Democratic Karen Ridley 4,085 8.9 +3.9
Canadian Action Paul Hellyer 770 1.7
Green David Burman 315 0.7
Natural Law Geraldine Jackson 139 0.3 -0.3
Marxist–Leninist Barbara Seed 133 0.3 +0.1
Total valid votes 45,828 100.0

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Susanna McLeod. "Jean Augustine". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Canadian legend Jean Augustine helped create Black History Month". University of Toronto Alumni. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Unveiling Heroes: Jean Augustine". Heritage Toronto. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Canadian Icon Honored by Youth for Human Rights Toronto". www.newswire.com. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  5. ^ Augustine to be Ont. advocate for foreign workers, CTV News from Canadian Press (CP). March 13, 2007.
  6. ^ Keung, Nicholas (22 March 2015). "Jean Augustine, Ontario's fairness commissioner, retires at 77". Toronto Star. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  7. ^ "History of the Chair". Faculty of Education. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  8. ^ "York University Libraries | Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections online exhibits | The Jean Augustine Political Button Collection". archives.library.yorku.ca. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Pushing Buttons, Pushing Stories -- Congress of Black Women of Canada". wayback.library.yorku.ca. 30 September 2023. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  10. ^ Craig, Ashley Goodfellow (18 May 2023). "Collaboration continues to be modus operandi for inaugural Jean Augustine Chair". YFile. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  11. ^ "The Jean Augustine Chair in Education | Faculty of Education". edu.yorku.ca. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  12. ^ admin (22 July 2008). "York to the Power of 50: Launch of the Jean Augustine Chair". YFile. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  13. ^ Craig, Ashley Goodfellow (14 August 2017). "Event to mark 80th birthday of Jean Augustine will direct donations to York". YFile. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  14. ^ "York U celebrates Canadian changemaker Jean Augustine, full funding of endowed Chair in her name". Faculty of Education. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  15. ^ Government of Canada, Department of Finance (7 April 2022). "Chapter 8: Promoting Canadian Values | Budget 2022". www.budget.canada.ca. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  16. ^ Umair, Ali; Ali, Fahim Hamid; Challinor, John Best, Steadfast: The Jean Augustine Story (Documentary), Expressive Pluralism Films, Electric Mango Film Company, Studio East Films, retrieved 9 October 2022
  17. ^ "Prime Minister's itinerary for Wednesday, October 5, 2022". Prime Minister of Canada. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  18. ^ Proudfoot, Shannon (12 January 2021). "This year's Maclean's Lifetime Achievement winner: Jean Augustine". Macleans.ca. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  19. ^ "The winners of the Maclean's Parliamentarians of the Year Awards". Macleans.ca. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Paul Martin, Jean Augustine among seven receiving Trent University honorary degrees". ThePeterboroughExaminer.com. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Governor General Announces 57 New Appointments to the Order of Canada". Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  22. ^ "No. 60897". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 2014. p. b45.
  23. ^ "Former politician Jean Augustine gets Brampton school named after her", CBC News, January 26, 2016.
  24. ^ "TDSB Girls' Leadership Academy renamed after Jean Augustine | Share News". Archived from the original on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  25. ^ "Canada's Top 25 Immigrants 2011". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
Archives at
LocationClara Thomas Archives and Special Collections Edit this on Wikidata
IdentifiersF0515 Edit this on Wikidata
Sourcedigital description
How to use archival material
27th Ministry – Cabinet of Paul Martin
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
  Minister of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women)
2003–2004 		 
26th Ministry – Cabinet of Jean Chrétien
Sub-Cabinet Post
Predecessor Title Successor
Hedy Fry Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(2002–2003)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Jean_Augustine&oldid=1224527530"