Agnes MacPHAIL

Agnes Macphail has earned a place in history as the first woman elected to the House of Commons, the first woman to be sworn in as an MPP in the Ontario legislature, and a fearless crusader for the downtrodden and the powerless in our society.

Trained as a teacher, Agnes Macphail worked in various small towns in Ontario. She became politically active while she was working in Sharon, where she joined the United Farm Women of Ontario and attended meetings of the United Farmers of Ontario (UFO). At the same time, she wrote for the Farmers' Sun and would speak on behalf of UFO candidates.

As a result of amendments to the Elections Act passed by the Conservative government in 1919, the 1921 general election was the first federal election in Canada in which women were allowed to vote. Four women, including Agnes Macphail, also ran for office. Ms. Macphail was elected as a Progressive Party Member, becoming the first woman elected to the House of Commons. She was re-elected in the 1925, 1926 and 1930 elections.

In the face of scorn and resistance from other MPs, Agnes Macphail took a particular interest in the question of reforming Canada’s prison system. Her efforts were rewarded in 1936 when a Royal Commission was established to examine the penal system. The Commission exposed extremely poor prison conditions and echoed the recommendations for action made by Ms. Macphail.

Agnes Macphail was involved in the establishment of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), becoming the first President of the Ontario CCF in 1933. She continued to work closely with CCF MPs even after she left the party, and was re-elected in 1935, this time as a United Farmers of Ontario MP.

Ms. Macphail's concern for women in the criminal justice system led her, in 1939, to found the Elizabeth Fry Society of Canada. In addition to her work on behalf of women, she was also a strong advocate for pensions for seniors as well as for workers’ rights. Agnes Macphail was also the first Canadian woman delegate to the League of Nations in Geneva, where she worked with the World Disarmament Committee. And although she was a pacifist, she voted in favour of Canada entering the Second World War.

Following an electoral defeat in the 1940, election, Ms. Mcphail turned to provincial politics. She was elected in the 1943 election as an Ontario CCF MPP, becoming the first woman sworn in to the Ontario legislature. She was responsible for Ontario's first equal pay legislation, passed in 1951. She was defeated in elections later that year.

Agnes Macphail left an indelible mark on Canadian politics, and thanks to her achievements in so many areas, stands out as an inspiring symbol for all Canadians of what can be achieved by one person through hard work and political action.

First woman delegate to the League of Nations.