Jean Augustine

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Canadian politician (born 1937)

title: "Jean Augustine" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1937-births", "living-people", "members-of-the-house-of-commons-of-canada-from-toronto", "liberal-party-of-canada-mps", "black-canadian-politicians", "members-of-the-king's-privy-council-for-canada", "members-of-the-order-of-canada", "members-of-the-order-of-ontario", "university-of-toronto-alumni", "grenadian-emigrants-to-canada", "women-members-of-the-house-of-commons-of-canada", "women-in-ontario-politics", "people-from-st.-george's,-grenada", "people-from-etobicoke", "canadian-commanders-of-the-order-of-the-british-empire", "members-of-the-26th-canadian-ministry", "members-of-the-27th-canadian-ministry", "black-canadian-women", "women-government-ministers-of-canada", "canadian-roman-catholics", "heads-of-schools-in-canada", "21st-century-canadian-civil-servants", "21st-century-canadian-women-civil-servants", "21st-century-canadian-women-politicians", "20th-century-canadian-women-politicians", "african-canadian-feminism", "black-canadian-catholics", "20th-century-members-of-the-house-of-commons-of-canada", "21st-century-members-of-the-house-of-commons-of-canada", "canadian-feminists"] description: "Canadian politician (born 1937)" topic_path: "politics" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Augustine" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Canadian politician (born 1937) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox officeholder"]

Field	Value
honorific-prefix	The Honourable
name	Jean Augustine
honorific-suffix
image	Jean Augustine 2010 (crop).jpg
birth_date
birth_place	St. George's, Grenada
profession	Educator, community organizer
residence	Toronto, Ontario
alma_mater	University of Toronto (BA, MEd)
	office
primeminister	Jean Chretien
Paul Martin
term_start	May 2, 2002
term_end	July 31, 2004
predecessor	Claudette Bradshaw
successor	Raymond Chan
	office1
premier1	Dalton McGuinty
Kathleen Wynne
term_start1	March 1, 2007
term_end1	March 20, 2015
predecessor1	Position established
successor1	Mary Shenstone
	office2
primeminister2	Jean Chretien
term_start2	December 6, 1993
term_end2	February 22, 1996
predecessor2	André Harvey
successor2	Rey Pagtakhan
	parliament3
party	Liberal
riding3	Etobicoke—Lakeshore
term_start3	October 25, 1993
term_end3	January 23, 2006
predecessor3	Patrick Boyer
successor3	Michael Ignatieff
::

| parliament3 = Canadian | party = Liberal | riding3 = Etobicoke—Lakeshore | term_start3 = October 25, 1993 | term_end3 = January 23, 2006 | predecessor3 = Patrick Boyer | successor3 = Michael Ignatieff Jean Augustine (born September 9, 1937) is a Grenada-born Canadian politician. She was the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a federal Minister of the Crown and Member of Parliament.

Prior to entering politics in 1993, Jean Augustine had a career in education. She enrolled in Toronto Teachers’ College, graduating with an Ontario teaching certificate in 1963. She went on to work as a teacher in the Toronto Catholic District School Board, eventually becoming a school principal.

From 1993 to 2006, Jean Augustine was elected as the Liberal Party of Canada's member of the House of Commons of Canada for the riding (Federal Electoral District) of Etobicoke—Lakeshore in Toronto, Ontario. Ms. Augustine was the Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien from 1994 to 1996. She subsequently served as the Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women in the Cabinet of Canada from 2002 to 2004.

Following her retirement from politics, she has served as the patron of several non-profit organizations across Canada. From 2007 to 2015, Ms. Augustine served as the first Fairness Commissioner of Ontario.

Early life and education

Augustine was born on September 9, 1937, in St. George's, Grenada, and immigrated to Canada in 1960 under the West Indian Domestic Scheme, which ran from 1955 to 1966. She attended Toronto Teachers’ College before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and later, a Master of Education (1980), also from the University of Toronto while working as an elementary school teacher. Augustine was later promoted to principal, then Supervisory Officer.

In addition to her teaching career with the Catholic School board (Metropolitan Separate School Board) in Toronto, Augustine was also actively involved in Toronto's Caribbean community, sitting on the first committee to organize the Caribana Festival in 1967.

As a social activist, Augustine volunteered and worked with many social justice and educational organizations. They included service with the National Black Coalition of Canada, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR). She was appointed as chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority. She was also named national president of the Congress of Black Women of Canada in 1987.

Augustine served on various boards during this period, including York University's Board of Governors, The Hospital for Sick Children, the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Toronto's Harbourfront Corporation.

In 1988, Augustine was appointed as chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority, a multi-million dollar social housing authority serving 300,000 residents in rent-geared to income housing.

Political career (1993–2005)

In 1993, Jean Augustine became the first African-Canadian woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons, as the Member of Parliament from the Greater Toronto Area constituency of Etobicoke-Lakeshore. She served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for four consecutive terms, being re-elected three times.

Augustine held many portfolios and positions during her time as an elected member of Canada's federal government, including as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Jean Chrétien); Minister of Multiculturalism and the Status of Women; Chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committee; Chair of the Human Rights Committee, three-time Chair of the National Women’s Caucus. In 2004, she was elected Assistant Deputy Speaker by her fellow parliamentarians.

Augustine's parliamentarian achievements include legislation to protect disadvantaged low-income individuals including single mothers raising children; securing unanimous legislative support to pass a motion designating February as Black History Month in Canada; securing unanimous legislative support to pass a motion to erect the Famous Five Monument on Parliament Hill.

Later life

In 2007, the Government of Ontario appointed Augustine as the first Fairness Commissioner, a position created to advocate for Canadians with foreign professional credentials. Augustine retired from the position in March 2015.

In 2007, Augustine donated her personal papers and memorabilia to the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections at York University. The collection is known as the Jean Augustine Fonds. "Pushing buttons, pushing stories" is a digital exhibit of Augustine's personal political buttons.

In 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education in the New Urban Environment was established as an endowed chair at York University, with Prof. Nombuso Dlamini appointed the first chair (2010–15). The chair was renamed as the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora York University. In 2016, the present chair holder, Faculty of Education professor and Distinguished Research Professor, Carl E. James, was appointed for a five-year term, which was renewed. In 2023 the Jean Augustine Chair received funding from the federal government of Canada, making it a fully-funded endowed chair.

Augustine serves as the patron, visitor or honorary chair of a number of organizations, including the NATO Association of Canada.

Personal life

In 1968, Augustine married Winston Augustine, but they subsequently divorced in 1981. They have two daughters. Augustine is Catholic.

Selected Writing in Academic and Grey Literature

Augustine, J. (2021). Multiculturalism@ 50: the experience of Black Canadians. Canadian Issues Fall/Winter, 65-69.

Augustine, J. (2020). Being the Messenger and the Message. Canadian Issues, Fall/Winter, 27–30.

Augustine, H. J. (2015). Employment match rates in the regulated professions: trends and policy implications. Canadian Public Policy, 41(Supplement 1), S28–S47.

Augustine, J. (2007). A message from Dr, Jean Augustine, Chair, Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the abolition of the slave trade. Ontario History, 99(1), IV.

Honours and awards

In 2022, a film that recapped Jean Augustine's life and achievements was premiered in Toronto and Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as special guest. The creative team behind the team includes documentary filmmakers Fahim Ali, Ali Umair and John Challinor III.
In 2021, Augustine was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from Maclean's Magazine, as part of its 12th annual Parliamentarians of the Year awards.
Augustine was awarded the Nelson Mandela Humanitarian award of 2018.
In 2007, Augustine was awarded the Caribbean Luminary award from Grenada's university of west Indies.
Augustine was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, University of Toronto. In 2009, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from McGill University. In 2017, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Trent University.
She has received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, the Kay Livingstone Award, the Ontario Volunteer Award, an African Canadian Achievement Award (Pride News Magazine), 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 "for her distinguished 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 the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to education and politics in Grenada, from which she had emigrated 54 years previously.
The Jean Augustine Scholarship Fund was named for her, which she helps support with fundraising. It assists single mothers to undertake post-secondary study at George Brown College.
Jean Augustine Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario is named for her.
Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Girls’ Leadership Academy.
In 2011 Augustine was one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners.

Electoral record

References

"Canadian legend Jean Augustine helped create Black History Month".
Susanna McLeod. "Jean Augustine".
"Unveiling Heroes: Jean Augustine".
"Canadian Icon Honored by Youth for Human Rights Toronto".
[https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/augustine-to-be-ont-advocate-for-foreign-workers/ Augustine to be Ont. advocate for foreign workers], CTV News from Canadian Press (CP). March 13, 2007.
(March 22, 2015). "Jean Augustine, Ontario's fairness commissioner, retires at 77". Toronto Star.
"History of the Chair".
"York University Libraries {{!}} Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections online exhibits {{!}} The Jean Augustine Political Button Collection".
(2023-09-30). "Pushing Buttons, Pushing Stories – Congress of Black Women of Canada".
Craig, Ashley Goodfellow. (2023-05-18). "Collaboration continues to be modus operandi for inaugural Jean Augustine Chair".
"The Jean Augustine Chair in Education {{!}} Faculty of Education".
admin. (2008-07-22). "York to the Power of 50: Launch of the Jean Augustine Chair".
Craig, Ashley Goodfellow. (2017-08-14). "Event to mark 80th birthday of Jean Augustine will direct donations to York".
(2023-11-13). "York U celebrates Canadian changemaker Jean Augustine, full funding of endowed Chair in her name".
Government of Canada, Department of Finance. (2022-04-07). "Chapter 8: Promoting Canadian Values {{!}} Budget 2022".
Susanna McLeod. "Jean Augustine".
Clarke, Wendy-Ann. "Jean Augustine sees future in the past".
Augustine, J.. (2021). "Multiculturalism@ 50: the experience of Black Canadians.". Association for Canadian Studies.
Augustine, J.. (2020). "Being the messenger and the message.". Canadian Issues.
Augustine, Hon. Jean. (2015). "Employment Match Rates in the Regulated Professions: Trends and Policy Implications". Canadian Public Policy.
Augustine, Jean. (2007). "Message from Jean Augustine". Ontario History.
"Steadfast: The Jean Augustine Story". Expressive Pluralism Films, Electric Mango Film Company, Studio East Films.
(2022-10-04). "Prime Minister's itinerary for Wednesday, October 5, 2022".
Proudfoot, Shannon. (2021-01-12). "This year's Maclean's Lifetime Achievement winner: Jean Augustine".
(2021-01-13). "The winners of the Maclean's Parliamentarians of the Year Awards".
(2017-03-28). "Paul Martin, Jean Augustine among seven receiving Trent University honorary degrees".
(December 30, 2009). "Governor General Announces 57 New Appointments to the Order of Canada". Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.
{{London Gazette. (14 June 2014)
[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jean-augustine-peel-1.3421426 "Former politician Jean Augustine gets Brampton school named after her"], CBC News, January 26, 2016.
"TDSB Girls' Leadership Academy renamed after Jean Augustine | Share News".
"Canada's Top 25 Immigrants 2011".

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