Margarett Best facts for kids

Margarett R. Best is a Canadian politician who used to work in the government. She was a member of the Liberal Party. From 2007 to 2013, she was a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Ontario. She represented the area called Scarborough—Guildwood. Margarett Best also served as a minister in the government led by Dalton McGuinty.

Meet Margarett Best

Early Life and Education

Margarett Best was born in Jamaica. She is an African Canadian. She studied at the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus. Later, she went to Osgoode Hall Law School at York University to become a lawyer.

Before becoming a politician, she was part of several important groups. These included a committee for lawyers and a board for a women's support center.

Her Political Journey

Margarett Best was first chosen to be an MPP in the 2007 Ontario election. An MPP is like a representative for a specific area in the provincial government. She was then made the Minister of Health Promotion and Sport by the Premier, Dalton McGuinty.

In 2008, she helped create a new law. This law made it illegal to smoke in cars when children were inside. If someone broke this rule, they could be fined $250. She also played a big part in helping Ontario win the chance to host the 2015 Pan American Games and the 2015 Parapan American Games. These are major sports events.

Margarett Best was re-elected in the 2011 election. This was a special moment because she was 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.

As Minister of Consumer Services, she worked on new laws to protect people. For example, she introduced a bill to make wireless phone agreements fairer for customers. She also worked on updating laws about condominiums (apartment buildings where people own their units).

She was a member of several important committees in the government. In 2013, she became a special assistant to the Minister of Education. This happened when Kathleen Wynne became the new Premier. Margarett Best later announced that she would be leaving her role as an MPP in June 2013.

Awards and Recognition

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

• In 2006 and 2011, she received the African Canadian Achievement Award.
• In 2008, she was given an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Northern Caribbean University.
• She also received the BBPA Women of Distinction Award.
• In 2009, she got an award for her work in equality and social justice.
• In 2010, she was named one of Canada's most influential women in sports.
• 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. She also received the Pathfinder Award from the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.
• She was awarded the Jackie Robinson's Fortitude Award.
• In 2016, she was named one of Canada's 100 most accomplished Black women.
• In 2017, she received the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

She has also been recognized for her dedication to social and gender equality. She received awards from the Prospect Primary School Alumni Association of Canada and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Cabinet Roles

Election Results

These tables show how Margarett Best performed in the elections she ran in. They list the candidates, their political parties, and how many votes they received.