Laurel Broten
Laurel Broten is the Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. She was first elected in 2003 to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and was re-elected in 2007.
Laurel is currently the Minister of Children and Youth Services and the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. She is formerly the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and the Chair of the Toronto Caucus.
In 2009, Laurel’s work in the area of sustainability and enhanced disclosure led to a review of Ontario’s current reporting standards in environmental social governance.
In addition, she has worked on progressive issues as they relate to the better protection of children, the integration of internationally trained medical doctors in Ontario, and the Government’s Domestic Violence Action Plan.
As Minister of the Environment (2005 – 2007), Laurel developed policies under one of Canada’s most comprehensive Climate Change Plans and she also introduced the Clean Water Act to better safeguard Ontario’s drinking water.
Before running for office, Laurel maintained a successful commercial litigation practice. She earned her law degree from the University of Western and articled at the Supreme Court of Canada.