Laurel Broten
Encyclopedia
Laurel C. Broten is a politician
in Ontario
, Canada
. She is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
, representing the riding
of Etobicoke—Lakeshore
for the Ontario Liberal Party
. On October 19, 2011, she was appointed Ontario Minister of Education
.
, community activist and volunteer. Broten attended McMaster University
from 1986 to 1990, and has both a Bachelor of Arts
and a Bachelor of Science
degree from the institution. She also received an LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario
in 1993. She was a law clerk to Madam Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dubé
at the Supreme Court of Canada
from 1993 to 1994, and later had a practice in civil and commercial litigation. She has also served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Gatehouse, a community centre for survivors of child abuse. Broten lives in Etobicoke with her husband and twin sons.
In 2007, Broten and her husband were criticized after they applied for a permit to build a large two-storey garage behind their home. Dubbed the "garage mahal" by neighbours, the structure was meant to hold the couple's four vehicles, two of which were Low emission vehicles
, one being a hybrid
. The plan was notable due at the time to Broten's position as the Minister of the Environment. Following a public outcry and stories in the media plans to build the garage were cancelled.
, but was defeated by Progressive Conservative
Morley Kells
in Etobicoke-Lakeshore by 5,156 votes. She ran again in the 2003 election
, and defeated Kells by 6,722 votes amid a provincial shift to the Liberals.
Dalton McGuinty
. There she conducted province-wide consultations to develop meaningful reforms to address domestic violence in Ontario. This led to the Government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan which included a groundbreaking public education campaign. She also chaired the Premier’s Shared Air Summit, which drew scientists and policy makers from across North America to tackle the linked issues of smog and transboundary air pollution.
In 2004, she introduced two private member bills. The first entitled Kids First Licences Act would allow drivers to make charitable donations to children's charities whenever they renewed their vehicle licence. The second called (Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment, an amendment to the Occupational Health and Safety Act would impose additional duties and responsibilities in workplaces.
On June 29, 2005, Broten was appointed to cabinet as Minister of the Environment. As minister, she developed policies under one of Canada’s most comprehensive Climate Change Plans in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She also introduced the Clean Water Act designed to better safeguard Ontario’s drinking water.
. While there she authored a report detailing a Five Point Action Plan to create more opportunities and reduce barriers for internationally trained doctors in Ontario. Her report formed the basis for new legislation in 2008.
In 2008 she introduced legislation that requires a duty to report images of child abuse. Then in 2009 she unanimously passed a resolution calling for a review of reporting standards for listed companies.
In 2009, Broten was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. On October 7, 2009, she was appointed Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services
and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues.
and minister responsible for women's issues.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. She is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
, representing the riding
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
of Etobicoke—Lakeshore
Etobicoke—Lakeshore (provincial electoral district)
Etobicoke—Lakeshore is a provincial electoral district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It elects one member to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.It was created in 1987 from Lakeshore....
for the Ontario Liberal Party
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
. On October 19, 2011, she was appointed Ontario Minister of Education
Ministry of Education (Ontario)
The Ministry of Education is the agency of the Ontario government in the Canadian province of Ontario responsible for government policy, funding, curriculum planning and direction in all levels of public education, including elementary and secondary schools.This Ministry is responsible for...
.
Background
Prior to entering politics, she was a lawyerLawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, community activist and volunteer. Broten attended McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
from 1986 to 1990, and has both a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from the institution. She also received an LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
in 1993. She was a law clerk to Madam Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dubé
Claire L'Heureux-Dubé
Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, served as a justice on the Supreme Court of Canada from 1987 to 2002. She was the first woman from Quebec and the second woman appointed to this position.- Personal history :...
at the Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
from 1993 to 1994, and later had a practice in civil and commercial litigation. She has also served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Gatehouse, a community centre for survivors of child abuse. Broten lives in Etobicoke with her husband and twin sons.
In 2007, Broten and her husband were criticized after they applied for a permit to build a large two-storey garage behind their home. Dubbed the "garage mahal" by neighbours, the structure was meant to hold the couple's four vehicles, two of which were Low emission vehicles
Low emission vehicle
A low-emission vehicle is a motor vehicle that emits relatively low levels of motor vehicle emissions. The term may be used in a general sense, but in some countries it is defined in air quality statues....
, one being a hybrid
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
. The plan was notable due at the time to Broten's position as the Minister of the Environment. Following a public outcry and stories in the media plans to build the garage were cancelled.
Provincial politics
Broten ran for the Ontario legislature in the provincial election of 1999Ontario general election, 1999
An Ontario general election was held on June 3, 1999, to elect members of the 37th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, but was defeated by Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
Morley Kells
Morley Kells
Morley Kells is a longtime politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on two separate occasions, and was briefly a cabinet minister in the government of Frank Miller...
in Etobicoke-Lakeshore by 5,156 votes. She ran again in the 2003 election
Ontario general election, 2003
The Ontario general election of 2003 was held on October 2, 2003, to elect the 103 members of the 38th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, and defeated Kells by 6,722 votes amid a provincial shift to the Liberals.
38th Legislative Assembly
On October 23, 2003, she was named as the Parliamentary Assistant to PremierPremier of Ontario
The Premier of Ontario is the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario. The Premier is appointed as the province's head of government by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and presides over the Executive council, or Cabinet. The Executive Council Act The Premier of Ontario...
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton James Patrick McGuinty, Jr., MPP is a Canadian lawyer, politician and, since October 23, 2003, the 24th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario....
. There she conducted province-wide consultations to develop meaningful reforms to address domestic violence in Ontario. This led to the Government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan which included a groundbreaking public education campaign. She also chaired the Premier’s Shared Air Summit, which drew scientists and policy makers from across North America to tackle the linked issues of smog and transboundary air pollution.
In 2004, she introduced two private member bills. The first entitled Kids First Licences Act would allow drivers to make charitable donations to children's charities whenever they renewed their vehicle licence. The second called (Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment, an amendment to the Occupational Health and Safety Act would impose additional duties and responsibilities in workplaces.
On June 29, 2005, Broten was appointed to cabinet as Minister of the Environment. As minister, she developed policies under one of Canada’s most comprehensive Climate Change Plans in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She also introduced the Clean Water Act designed to better safeguard Ontario’s drinking water.
39th Legislative Assembly
Broten was re-elected in 2007 and was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term CareMinistry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario)
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is the Government of Ontario ministry responsible for administering the health care system and providing services to the province of Ontario...
. While there she authored a report detailing a Five Point Action Plan to create more opportunities and reduce barriers for internationally trained doctors in Ontario. Her report formed the basis for new legislation in 2008.
In 2008 she introduced legislation that requires a duty to report images of child abuse. Then in 2009 she unanimously passed a resolution calling for a review of reporting standards for listed companies.
In 2009, Broten was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. On October 7, 2009, she was appointed Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services
Ministry of Children and Youth Services (Ontario)
The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is responsible for services to children and youth in the Canadian province of Ontario. They recently introduced Bill 210 -- an Act to amend the Child and Family Services Act -- which will open adoptions to members of the child's extended families...
and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues.
40th Legislative Assembly
In 2011, Broten was re-elected again. Premier Dalton McGuinty reorganized his cabinet and appointed her as Minister of EducationMinistry of Education (Ontario)
The Ministry of Education is the agency of the Ontario government in the Canadian province of Ontario responsible for government policy, funding, curriculum planning and direction in all levels of public education, including elementary and secondary schools.This Ministry is responsible for...
and minister responsible for women's issues.