10 Things You Need to Know About Kathleen Wynne
Kathleen Wynne is a well-known name in Canadian politics, but how much do you really know about her? In 2013, she became Canada’s first female and LGBT Premier, serving as the Premier of Ontario from 2013 to 2018. But there’s more to her than just these labels. Here are ten things you need to know about Kathleen Wynne.
1. Childhood and Early Life
Kathleen Wynne was born on May 21, 1953, in Toronto, Ontario. Her father, John B. Wynne, was a doctor, and her mother, Patsy O’Day, was a musician. Kathleen grew up in Richmond Hill and attended public schools. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she spent time living with both of them. Her mother was very active in the community, and that influenced Kathleen’s interest in politics and social justice.
2. Education and Early Career
After graduating from high school, Kathleen went on to study at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where she earned a degree in English and philosophy. She later completed a master’s degree in linguistics at the University of Toronto. After finishing her education, Kathleen worked as a teacher and later started her own business, which specialized in small business consulting.
3. Political Career Begins
Kathleen’s interest in politics led her to become involved in the Ontario Liberal Party. She worked on several campaigns and was eventually elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in 2003. Prior to becoming Premier, Kathleen held various positions within the Ontario government, including Minister of Education and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
4. Breaking Barriers
In 2013, Kathleen became Canada’s first female Premier and the first openly LGBT Premier. Her election was significant not only because of these firsts but also because she ran on a platform of social justice and equality. During her time as Premier, Kathleen worked to advance the rights of women, Indigenous people, and the LGBTQ+ community.
5. Achievements as Premier
As Premier, Kathleen was responsible for several major initiatives, including the introduction of full-day kindergarten, the creation of a provincial pension plan, and the implementation of a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She also worked to increase access to healthcare, improve public transportation, and invest in infrastructure projects.
6. Criticisms and Controversies
Although Kathleen had many supporters, she also faced criticism during her time as Premier. Some people were unhappy with her government’s handling of issues such as hydro rates, healthcare, and transit. She was accused of breaking promises and of not doing enough to address these concerns.
7. Life After Politics
Kathleen resigned as Premier in 2018 after her party lost the election. Since then, she has been involved in various initiatives, including working as a faculty member at the Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University and serving as a director of several boards.
8. Personal Life
Kathleen has been married to her partner, Jane Rounthwaite, since 2005. They have three children together and live in Toronto. Kathleen is also an avid runner and has participated in several marathons.
FAQs
Q1. What was Kathleen Wynne’s biggest achievement as Premier?
A1. Kathleen’s biggest achievement as Premier was the introduction of full-day kindergarten, which provided a strong start for children and their families by giving children access to high-quality early learning.
Q2. What were some of the major initiatives that Kathleen was responsible for during her time as Premier?
A2. Kathleen was responsible for several major initiatives, including the creation of a provincial pension plan, the implementation of a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the investment in infrastructure projects.
Q3. Did Kathleen Wynne face any criticism during her time as Premier?
A3. Yes, Kathleen faced criticism during her time as Premier. Some people were unhappy with her government’s handling of issues such as hydro rates, healthcare, and transit.
Q4. Is Kathleen Wynne still involved in politics?
A4. No, Kathleen resigned as Premier in 2018 and is no longer involved in politics.
Q5. What is Kathleen Wynne’s family like?
A5. Kathleen has been married to her partner, Jane Rounthwaite, since 2005. They have three children together and live in Toronto.
Q6. Did Kathleen Wynne run on a platform of social justice and equality?
A6. Yes, Kathleen ran on a platform of social justice and equality. During her time as Premier, she worked to advance the rights of women, Indigenous people, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Q7. What has Kathleen Wynne been doing since resigning as Premier?
A7. Since resigning as Premier, Kathleen has been involved in various initiatives, including working as a faculty member at the Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University and serving as a director of several boards.
Conclusion
Kathleen Wynne’s time as Premier of Ontario was marked by many achievements and some criticisms. Throughout her career, she has been a trailblazer, breaking barriers as the first female and LGBT Premier in Canada. Although she is no longer in politics, Kathleen remains active in her community and is an inspiration to many.