It is an honour to rise today to pay tribute to Margaret Birch on behalf of the official opposition and the people of Ontario.

I’d like to begin by welcoming Margaret’s friends and family to the Legislature: Randy, her son; Jane Elliott, her daughter; Karen Stirrett; and Mobina Bhimani.

I would also like to recognize her many loved ones who couldn’t join us today—and like anyone who lived such a full life, the list is long:

—her son-in-law Dan Elliott;

—her grandchildren Sarah Schinkel, Jennifer Elliott and Meaghan Kabetu;

—her great-grandchildren Ethan Alexander Bond; Brandon, Ryan, Tyler and Amanda Schinkel; Peyton and Olivia Kabetu; and

—her sister Isabel Dalgleish.

Of course, there is also a large extended family and many friends who miss her dearly.

It’s not always easy to be a woman in politics, particularly not when Margaret was elected in 1971 as one of only two women in the Conservative 69-seat government. And while it’s hard to imagine how that must have felt, from time to time I’m sure every woman in the Legislature has been underestimated, has been disrespected, has experienced imposter syndrome and felt isolated because of her gender. That’s why it’s so important to have a strong support system—people who will love us unconditionally, people who will give us the inspiration that we need to fight through the adversity, and people who will believe in us when we have a crisis of faith in ourselves. So it’s a real honour to have some of you here today who were by Margaret’s side as she made history.

Along with the support of our family and friends, it’s also so important in the success of women in politics that we have great role models—role models who not only did it first, but who also did this job with dignity, integrity, passion and skill. And that’s what truly distinguishes Margaret Birch. Yes, she was the first woman to be appointed to the Ontario government’s executive council, but she also showed people—men and women alike—how tough, tenacious, resilient and impactful women in politics can be.

Margaret had to drop out of school at the age of 12 because her father got cancer and she needed to care for her four younger siblings and a new baby when her mother went back to work.

At 16, she was also working, first in tobacco fields, then at the Heinz plant, where she made sure that the label on every ketchup bottle was up to par.

Later, as she raised her children, she began volunteering for a local hospital, then worked her way up to chair of the Scarborough board of health, and eventually joined the mental health council and the social planners council.

By the time she was elected as MPP, she brought decades of work and volunteer experience, as well as invaluable lived experience, to the job. As a backbench MPP, seeing the gap in services for children and youth, she undertook to create new youth programs. Her work earned her the position of Minister without Portfolio, in which capacity she toured health care and mental health facilities. Outraged by the conditions in both, she worked hard to improve and to get progress on the way.

In 1972, despite what I’m sure were many naysayers trying to hold her back, she ultimately proved herself as the undeniable best choice for secretary of social development, a role she held for almost a decade.

As a woman in this House, as well as the opposition critic for children, community and social services, it’s easy to see how I followed in the path that Margaret started to carve out 50 years ago. I can’t thank her personally, but I hope to honour her legacy by living up to the standard she set in working for her constituents, advocating for those in need and empowering the next generation of women in politics.

Margaret, may the example that you set never be forgotten, and may she rest in peace.