Margarett Best facts for kids

Margarett R. Best is a former Canadian politician. She was a member of the Liberal Party and served as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in Ontario from 2007 to 2013. She represented the area called Scarborough—Guildwood. During her time in government, she was also a cabinet minister, which means she was in charge of certain government departments.

Who is Margarett Best?

Margarett Best was born in Jamaica and is an African Canadian. She studied at the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus and later became a lawyer after attending Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Before becoming a politician, she was involved in several community groups, including committees focused on law and supporting women.

Her Time in Politics

Margarett Best was first elected as an MPP in the 2007 Ontario election. An MPP is like a representative for a specific area in the provincial government. After being elected, she was chosen by the Premier, Dalton McGuinty, to be the Minister of Health Promotion and Sport. This role meant she helped create rules and programs to keep people healthy and active.

Making a Difference as Minister

In 2008, Margarett Best helped create a new law that made it illegal to smoke in cars when children were present. This law, called the Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act, aimed to protect kids from harmful smoke. If someone broke this rule, they could be fined $250. She also played a big part in helping Ontario win the bid to host the 2015 Pan American Games and the 2015 Parapan American Games, which are major international sports events.

Continuing Her Political Journey

Margarett Best was re-elected in the 2011 election. She made history by becoming the first African-Canadian woman to be re-elected to the Provincial Legislature in Ontario. After this election, she became the Minister of Consumer Services. In this role, she worked to protect people who buy goods and services.

She tried to introduce a law called The Wireless Services Agreements Act, 2012. This law was designed to give more protection to people who sign up for cell phone plans. However, the bill did not become law because the government paused its work in October 2012. She also worked on updating rules for condominiums (apartment buildings where people own their units) and other business laws.

In February 2013, she took on a new role as a special assistant to the Minister of Education. She later announced that she would be leaving her position as an MPP on June 27, 2013, due to health reasons.

Awards and Special Recognition

Margarett Best has received many awards for her work and achievements:

• In 2006 and 2011, she received the African Canadian Achievement Award for her excellence in politics.
• In 2008, she was given an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Northern Caribbean University.
• She also received the BBPA Women of Distinction Award and a National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada Award in 2009 for her work on equality and social justice.
• In 2010, she was named one of Canada's most influential women in Sports and Physical Activity.
• In 2011, she received a City of Toronto Diversity Award.
• In 2012, she was given a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her public service and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) Pathfinder Award.
• She was also honored with the Jackie Robinson's Fortitude Award, named one of Canada's 100 most Accomplished Black Women in 2016, and received the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

She has also been recognized by various community groups for her dedication to helping others and promoting fairness.

Cabinet Roles She Held

Election Results

Here are the results from the elections where Margarett Best ran: