Jean Augustine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Augustine
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| Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women | |
| In office May 2, 2002 – July 31, 2004 |
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| Prime Minister | Jean Chretien Paul Martin |
| Preceded by | Claudette Bradshaw |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Chan |
| Fairness Commissioner of Ontario | |
| In office March 1, 2007 – March 20, 2015 |
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| Premier | Dalton McGuinty Kathleen Wynne |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Mary Shenstone |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada | |
| In office December 6, 1993 – February 22, 1996 |
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| Prime Minister | Jean Chretien |
| Preceded by | André Harvey |
| Succeeded by | Rey Pagtakhan |
| Member of Parliament for Etobicoke—Lakeshore |
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| In office October 25, 1993 – January 23, 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Patrick Boyer |
| Succeeded by | Michael Ignatieff |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 9, 1937 St. George's, Grenada |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Residences | Toronto, Ontario |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto (BA, MEd) |
| Profession | Educator, community organizer |
Jean Augustine PC CM OOnt CBE (born September 9, 1937) is a Canadian politician who was born in Grenada. She made history as the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a federal Minister of the Crown and a Member of Parliament.
Before she entered politics in 1993, Jean Augustine worked in education. She became a teacher after graduating from Toronto Teachers’ College in 1963. She then worked for the Toronto Catholic District School Board and later became a school principal.
From 1993 to 2006, Jean Augustine was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party of Canada. She represented the area called Etobicoke—Lakeshore in Toronto, Ontario. Ms. Augustine was a special assistant, known as the Parliamentary Secretary, to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien from 1994 to 1996. She later became the Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women from 2002 to 2004.
After she retired from politics, she became a supporter of many non-profit groups across Canada. From 2007 to 2015, Ms. Augustine was the first Fairness Commissioner of Ontario. This role helps people who trained in other countries get their skills recognized in Ontario.
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Early Life and Education
Augustine was born on September 9, 1937, in St. George's, Grenada. She moved to Canada in 1960 as part of a program for West Indian domestic workers. She went to Toronto Teachers’ College. Later, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Education (1980) from the University of Toronto. She achieved these degrees while working as an elementary school teacher. Augustine was later promoted to principal and then to a supervisory role.
Besides her teaching career with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Augustine was very active in Toronto's Caribbean community. She was part of the first group that organized the Caribana Festival in 1967.
As a social activist, Augustine volunteered with many groups that worked for social justice and education. These included the National Black Coalition of Canada and the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR). She was also appointed as the head of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority. In 1987, she became the national president of the Congress of Black Women of Canada.
Augustine also served on the boards of several important organizations. These included York University's Board of Governors, The Hospital for Sick Children, and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. She also served on the board of Toronto's Harbourfront Corporation. In 1988, she became the chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority. This organization managed housing for 300,000 people.
Political Career (1993–2005)
In 1993, Jean Augustine made history by becoming the first African-Canadian woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons. She was elected as the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore in the Greater Toronto Area. She served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for four terms, being re-elected three times.
Augustine held many important roles during her time in Canada's federal government. She was a Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Jean Chrétien). She also served as the Minister of Multiculturalism and the Status of Women. She chaired the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committee and the Human Rights Committee. She was also the chair of the National Women’s Caucus three times. In 2004, her fellow parliamentarians elected her as Assistant Deputy Speaker.
Augustine achieved many important things as a parliamentarian. She helped create laws to protect low-income people, including single mothers. She also gained full support from all politicians to make February Black History Month in Canada. Another achievement was getting full support to build the Famous Five Monument on Parliament Hill. This monument honors five women who fought for women's rights.
Later Life and Contributions
In 2007, the Government of Ontario appointed Augustine as the first Fairness Commissioner. This role was created to help Canadians with professional training from other countries. Augustine retired from this position in March 2015.
In 2007, Augustine gave her personal papers and special items to the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections at York University. This collection is known as the Jean Augustine Fonds. There is also a digital exhibit called "Pushing buttons, pushing stories" that shows Augustine's political buttons.
In 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education in the New Urban Environment was created at York University. This is a special teaching position. Professor Nombuso Dlamini was the first person to hold this position from 2010 to 2015. The chair was later renamed the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora. In 2016, Professor Carl E. James was appointed to this position for a five-year term, which was renewed. In 2023, the Jean Augustine Chair received funding from the Canadian government, making it a fully supported position.
Augustine continues to support many organizations. She serves as a patron or honorary chair for groups like the NATO Association of Canada.
Personal Life
In 1968, Augustine married Winston Augustine. They later divorced in 1981. They have two daughters together. Augustine is a Catholic.
Honours and Awards
Jean Augustine has received many awards and honors for her work:
- In 2022, a film about Jean Augustine's life and achievements was shown in Toronto and Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was a special guest at the premiere.
- In 2021, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Maclean's Magazine. This was part of their 12th annual Parliamentarians of the Year awards.
- Augustine was given the Nelson Mandela Humanitarian award in 2018.
- In 2007, she received the Caribbean Luminary award from Grenada's University of West Indies.
- She has received several Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees. These include degrees from her own university, the University of Toronto, in 2009 from McGill University, and in 2017 from Trent University.
- She has also received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, the Kay Livingstone Award, and the Ontario Volunteer Award. Other awards include an African Canadian Achievement Award, the Rubena Willis Special Recognition Award, and the Toronto Lions' Club Onyx Award.
- In 2009, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada. This honor recognized her great career as an educator, politician, and advocate for social justice in Canada.
- She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2014. This was for her contributions to education and politics in Grenada, the country she left 54 years earlier.
- The Jean Augustine Scholarship Fund is named after her. She helps raise money for this fund, which helps single mothers attend college at George Brown College.
- Jean Augustine Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, is named in her honor.
- The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Girls’ Leadership Academy is also named after her.
- In 2011, Augustine was one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners.
Images for kids
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Jean Augustine
