Early Life and Education
Jean Augustine’s story is a testament to the power of hard work in pursuit of social justice.
Born in St. George’s, Grenada in 1937, Jean lost her father at a young age but blossomed into an outstanding student raised by a wise grandmother. In 1960, already a qualified teacher, Jean immigrated to Canada through the Canada-Caribbean Domestic Program. Determined to continue her education, she attended Toronto Teachers College and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto.
While working as an elementary school teacher with the Metropolitan Separate School Board in Toronto, Jean pursued her Master’s in Education degree. She went on to become a principal and supervisory officer while remaining deeply engaged in grassroots efforts to improve her community.
Community Leadership and Advocacy
Beyond the classroom, Jean’s commitment to social justice grew through decades of community involvement. She served on the boards of York University, The Hospital for Sick Children, the Donwood Institute, and Harbourfront, and she chaired the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority. As the National President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada, Jean was a strong advocate for equity and inclusion.
Her expertise and passion for justice led government leaders to call upon her for major initiatives: the development and launch of Canada’s official multiculturalism policy in 1971, membership on the Ontario Judicial Council, participation in the Toronto Crime Inquiry, and the training of teachers in equity and diversity.
Breaking Barriers in Politics
In 1993, Jean Augustine made history as the first African Canadian woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons. Representing the Toronto-area riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, she won four consecutive elections and served in Parliament until her retirement in 2006.
Her leadership in government included roles as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Minister and Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee, Chair of the National Women’s Caucus, and, in her final year, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.
Jean’s parliamentary work was marked by landmark accomplishments. She introduced legislation to protect low-income individuals, including single mothers, and successfully negotiated unanimous support for a historic motion designating February as Black History Month in Canada. She also championed the legislation that brought the Famous Five statue to Parliament Hill—the only monument there to feature women.
Commitment to Education
Education remained at the heart of Jean’s mission. She donated her parliamentary papers to York University’s Faculty of Education, establishing the Jean Augustine Chair in Education in the New Urban Environment. This Chair supports research on education policy, immigration, and cultural diversity, carrying forward her dedication to inclusive learning.
Later Public Service
In 2007, the Government of Ontario invited Jean to lead the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade. Later that year, she was appointed Ontario’s first Fairness Commissioner, setting new regulatory standards to improve clarity, transparency, and access to employment for foreign-trained professionals. She held this position until her retirement in 2015.
Jean Augustine’s contributions have been widely celebrated. She has received honorary doctorates from the University of Toronto, Guelph, McGill, and York, and was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network. In 2009, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her extensive contributions as a politician, educator, and advocate for social justice. She also received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2014 for her services to education and politics.
Today, Jean remains active in community initiatives, including the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment. She continues to support scholarships at post-secondary institutions, helping to create a brighter future for young women and ensuring that her legacy of opportunity and empowerment endures.