Laura Mae Lindo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laura Mae Lindo
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Lindo at an event during the 2018 Ontario provincial election
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| Critic, Citizenship and Immigration Services | |
| In office August 23, 2018 – July 13, 2023 |
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| Leader | Andrea Horwath (2018-2022) Peter Tabuns (interim) (2022-2023) Marit Stiles (2023-) |
| Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre |
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| In office June 7, 2018 – July 13, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Daiene Vernile |
| Succeeded by | Aislinn Clancy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Laura Mae Monique Lindo
1976 (age 48–49) Scarborough, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | New Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Alvin Curling (uncle) |
| Residences | Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |
| Education | |
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Laura Mae Monique Lindo was born in 1976. She is a Canadian politician who served as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Kitchener Centre. She was elected in the 2018 provincial election. As an MPP, she was part of the Ontario New Democratic Party. In January 2023, Lindo announced she would leave her role as an MPP in July. She took a new job in the philosophy department at the University of Waterloo. Her time as an MPP officially ended on July 13, 2023.
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Early Life and Education
Laura Mae Lindo was born in Canada. Her parents moved to Canada from Jamaica. Her mother, Osra Lindo, earned a university degree at 79 years old. She studied gender and women's studies at York University. Laura Mae Lindo's uncle is Alvin Curling, who was also an MPP and Speaker in Ontario. Laura grew up in Scarborough, Ontario. She has lived in Kitchener since 2014.
Laura's University Studies
Laura Lindo went to the University of Toronto. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in philosophy in 1998. She then got a second BA degree from York University. This degree was in African studies and philosophy. She continued her studies at York University. There, she completed her Master of Education degree. For this degree, she studied Ontario's high school philosophy program. Laura also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in education. She finished her PhD studies in 2011. Her PhD paper was about how public discussions on race are shown in comedy.
Political Career and Achievements
Laura Mae Lindo was the first Black MPP for Kitchener. An MPP is a Member of Provincial Parliament. They represent their local area in the provincial government. She was part of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills. She also served as a Critic for Citizenship and Immigration Services. A "critic" in politics means she was the main spokesperson for her party on those topics. She was also the Critic for anti-racism.
Working for Change
In 2018, Lindo became a member of the Ontario NDP's first-ever Black Caucus. A caucus is a group of politicians from the same party. This group works together on specific issues. Other members included Rima Berns-McGown, Faisal Hassan, Jill Andrew, and Kevin Yarde. Before becoming an MPP, she worked at Wilfrid Laurier University. There, she was the Director of Diversity and Equity.
In December 2021, Laura Lindo introduced a new law called Bill 67. This bill was named The Racial Equity in Education Systems Act. She explained that this bill "embeds anti-racist language" into laws. This applies to education from kindergarten to grade 12 and all through university. She said, "when you define it, then it is real." This means naming racism helps people understand and fight it.
Leaving Politics
After the 2022 provincial election, the leader of the Ontario NDP, Andrea Horwath, resigned. Many thought Laura Lindo might run to become the new leader. However, in November, she decided not to run.
In January 2023, Lindo announced she would leave her role as an MPP in July. She explained that the costs of child care were a reason for her decision. She wanted to join the philosophy department at the University of Waterloo. She supported Debbie Chapman to be the next NDP candidate for Kitchener Centre. However, in the special election, the seat was won by Aislinn Clancy from the Green Party.
