Doctor of Education
(honoris causa) DEd
The Honourable Frances Lankin has devoted her life to public service and has made significant contributions to social justice as a politician and as a social service administrator, championing the rights of women and the disadvantaged. She helped found the Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare and was also the provincial spokesperson for the Equal Pay Coalition. The provincial government appointed Ms. Lankin to the Worker’s Compensation Appeals Tribunal for a three-year term. She was elected to the provincial legislature in 1990 and was immediately appointed Minister of Government Services and Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet. Other ministerial portfolios included Minister of Health and Minister of Economic Development and Trade. After retiring from politics, she became President and CEO of United Way Toronto. Lankin has received many awards including the 2008 Consumers’ Choice Woman of the Year Award, the Equal Voice EVE Award for her achievements in political life and her efforts to advance the cause of electing more women in Canada, and both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Order of Canada in 2012.
The Honourable Frances Lankin received the honorary degree, Doctor of Education on June 11, 2014.