Jean Augustine (born September 9, 1937) is a Grenada-born Canadian politician. She was the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a federal Minister of the Crown and Member of Parliament.

Prior to entering politics in 1993, Jean Augustine had a career in education. From 2007 to 2015, Ms. Augustine served as the first Fairness Commissioner of Ontario. She attended Toronto Teachers’ College before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and later, a Master of Education (1980), also from the University of Toronto They included service with the National Black Coalition of Canada, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR). She was appointed as chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority. She was also named national president of the Congress of Black Women of Canada in 1987.

Augustine served on various boards during this period, including York University's Board of Governors, The Hospital for Sick Children, the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Toronto's Harbourfront Corporation. Augustine retired from the position in March 2015.

In 2007, Augustine donated her personal papers and memorabilia to the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections at York University. The collection is known as the Jean Augustine Fonds. "Pushing buttons, pushing stories" is a digital exhibit of Augustine's personal political buttons.

In 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education in the New Urban Environment was established as an endowed chair at York University, with Prof. Nombuso Dlamini appointed the first chair (2010–15). The chair was renamed as the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora York University. In 2016, the present chair holder, Faculty of Education professor and Distinguished Research Professor, Carl E. James, was appointed for a five-year term, which was renewed. In 2023 the Jean Augustine Chair received funding from the federal government of Canada, making it a fully-funded endowed chair.

Augustine serves as the patron, visitor or honorary chair of a number of organizations, including the NATO Association of Canada.

Personal life

In 1968, Augustine married Winston Augustine, but they subsequently divorced in 1981. They have two daughters. Augustine is Catholic.

Selected Writing in Academic and Grey Literature

Augustine, J. (2021). Multiculturalism@ 50: the experience of Black Canadians. Canadian Issues Fall/Winter, 65-69.

Augustine, J. (2020). Being the Messenger and the Message. Canadian Issues, Fall/Winter, 27–30.

Augustine, H. J. (2015). Employment match rates in the regulated professions: trends and policy implications. Canadian Public Policy, 41(Supplement 1), S28–S47.

Augustine, J. (2007). A message from Dr, Jean Augustine, Chair, Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the abolition of the slave trade. Ontario History, 99(1), IV.

Honours and awards

  • In 2022, a film that recapped Jean Augustine's life and achievements was premiered in Toronto and Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as special guest. The creative team behind the team includes documentary filmmakers Fahim Ali, Ali Umair and John Challinor III.
  • In 2021, Augustine was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from Maclean's Magazine, as part of its 12th annual Parliamentarians of the Year awards.
  • Augustine was awarded the Nelson Mandela Humanitarian award of 2018.
  • In 2007, Augustine was awarded the Caribbean Luminary award from Grenada's university of west Indies.
  • Augustine was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, University of Toronto. In 2009, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from McGill University. In 2017, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Trent University.
  • She has received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, the Kay Livingstone Award, the Ontario Volunteer Award, an African Canadian Achievement Award (Pride News Magazine), the Rubena Willis Special Recognition Award, and the Toronto Lions' Club Onyx Award.
  • She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to education and politics in Grenada, from which she had emigrated 54 years previously.
  • The Jean Augustine Scholarship Fund was named for her, which she helps support with fundraising. It assists single mothers to undertake post-secondary study at George Brown College.
  • Jean Augustine Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario is named for her.
  • Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Girls’ Leadership Academy.
  • In 2011 Augustine was one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners.

Electoral record

References

  • How'd They Vote?: Jean Augustine's voting history and quotes
  • "Pushing buttons, pushing stories"
  • 2011 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards