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The Minister

Madeleine Meilleur

Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs

Madeleine Meilleur was elected in 2003 after more than a decade in municipal politics. Since 1991 she has held office in the City of Vanier and the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and as councillor in the new City of Ottawa.

A registered nurse and lawyer specializing in labour and employment law, Ms. Meilleur brought leadership to numerous committees and task forces. She was chair of Ottawa's Transportation and Transit Committee and of the Rideau Street Redevelopment Working Group. She also served on the Ottawa-Carleton Regional District Health Council, the Champlain District Health Council, the Ottawa-Carleton Children's Aid Society and the Vanier Housing Corporation.

A leader committed to building bridges between linguistic communities, Ms. Meilleur represented council on the French-Language Services Advisory Committee. She was also a member of the board of directors of La Cité collégiale, the Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority, the Centre d'Accueil Champlain and Opera Lyra Ottawa.

Ms. Meilleur received the United Way's 2001 Community Builder's Award and in 2002 was the recipient of le prix d'Excellence, awarded by the Réseau socioaction des femmes francophones, for dedication to the community. She served as a member of the Canadian delegation to the Francophone Games in Cameroon in 1996, as deputy mayor in July 2001 and as honorary president of the Tulip Festival in May 2002.

Ms. Meilleur was involved in the implementation of the Success By 6 Vanier, aiding the development of young children. A founding member of Learn to Earn, aimed at helping youth learn a trade, she has also chaired the fundraising effort for Maison d'amitié, a facility assisting female victims of violence.

Send a message to the Minister: ofa@ontario.ca