Kathleen Wynne

Kathleen Wynne
Jenna Muirhead / Ontario Liberal Party · CC0 · source
Name	Kathleen Wynne
Office	25th Premier of Ontario
Term start	February 11, 2013
Term end	June 29, 2018
Predecessor	Dalton McGuinty
Successor	Doug Ford
Office1	Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party
Term start1	January 26, 2013
Term end1	June 7, 2018
Predecessor1	Dalton McGuinty
Successor1	John Fraser (interim)
Riding2	Don Valley West
Parliament2	Ontario
Term start2	October 2, 2003
Term end2	June 7, 2018
Predecessor2	David Turnbull
Successor2	Vacant
Birth date	21 May 1953
Birth place	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Party	Ontario Liberal Party
Spouse	Jane Rounthwaite
Alma mater	Queen's University, University of Toronto
Profession	Educator, mediator

Kathleen Wynne served as the 25th Premier of Ontario and Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party from 2013 to 2018. A member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for Don Valley West from 2003 to 2018, she was the first woman and the first openly LGBT person to hold the premiership in Ontario. Her tenure was marked by significant policy initiatives in areas like infrastructure and social justice, though it concluded with the defeat of the Ontario Liberal Party in the 2018 Ontario general election.

Early life and education

Born in Toronto to John and Peggy Wynne, she was raised in Richmond Hill. She attended Havergal College before pursuing higher education at Queen's University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Wynne later completed a Master of Arts in linguistics and a Master of Education from the University of Toronto. Prior to entering politics, she worked as an educator within the Toronto public school system and as a professional community organizer and mediator.

Political career

Elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2003 Ontario general election, she served in several cabinet portfolios under Premier Dalton McGuinty. Her ministerial roles included Minister of Education, where she oversaw the implementation of full-day kindergarten, and Minister of Transportation, where she advanced projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Following McGuinty's resignation, she won the 2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election, defeating rivals such as Sandra Pupatello and Gerard Kennedy.

Premiership

Upon becoming Premier of Ontario in February 2013, she immediately faced a minority government and successfully negotiated a budget with the NDP to avoid an election. Her government later won a majority government in the 2014 Ontario general election. Key policies included the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan, a major infrastructure investment plan, and the Fair Hydro Plan to reduce electricity rates. Her government also introduced significant social justice reforms, including an updated sex education curriculum and Bill 28, All Families Are Equal Act, 2016. However, her premiership faced challenges over the privatization of Hydro One and rising electricity costs, contributing to low approval ratings. The Ontario Liberal Party was defeated in the 2018 Ontario general election, winning only seven seats.

Post-premiership activities

After resigning as Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, she returned to work in mediation and public speaking. She has been a vocal commentator on progressive politics, climate change, and LGBT rights, and has taught courses at institutions like the University of Toronto. She remains active in community organizations and has served on the board of the Institute for Change Leaders. In 2022, she published a memoir, Kathleen Wynne: A Political Life.

Personal life

She is married to Jane Rounthwaite, a psychotherapist and University of Toronto lecturer; the couple has three adult children. An avid long-distance runner, she has completed several marathons. She is a member of the United Church of Canada and has been open about the role of her faith in her public life. Her family resides in North Toronto.

Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:Premiers of Ontario Category:Ontario Liberal Party MLAs