The Hon. Monique BÉGIN

Monique Bégin has distinguished herself as a respected teacher, Member of Parliament, Minister, Dean, and mentor.

In 1967, she took on the important role of Executive Secretary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, which published its landmark report in 1970. In the 1972 federal election, Monique Bégin was elected, joining two other colleagues elected that year as the first three women ever elected to the House of Commons from Québec.

Appointed to the Cabinet in 1976 as Minister of National Revenue, she went on to serve as Minister of Health and Welfare from 1977 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984. During that period, Monique Bégin played a pivotal role in strengthening Canada’s health care system, notably through the passage of the Canada Health Act.

In 1986, Madame Bégin joined the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, becoming the first ever Joint Ottawa-Carleton Chair of Women’s Studies. She continued her work in academia as Dean of the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Health Sciences from 1990 to 1997, and continues teaching there as a visiting professor in the Master of Health Administration program. Monique Bégin was named to the Order of Canada in 1997.