Honourable Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Minister Responsible for Digital Government
” Building Up Ontario’s Workforce in the Age of Disruption “
Competing and succeeding in today’s rapidly changing economy requires a workforce that is equipped with the skills that meet the needs of the jobs today and tomorrow.
Deb Matthews, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, presents her government’s ambitious plan to build a workforce that is highly skilled, inclusive and adaptable.
Biography:
Deb Matthews is Ontario’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development. In this role, she is implementing one the most ambitious reforms of student financial assistance in North America and is leading the government’s efforts to better prepare Ontario’s workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
As Ontario’s first Minister Responsible for Digital Government, she is focused on delivering simpler, better, more convenient services for Ontarians.
She also serves as Deputy Premier and Chair of Cabinet.
In her previous role as President of the Treasury Board, she was instrumental in ensuring the government delivers on its commitment to balance the budget by 2018 while continuing to invest in the programs and services that Ontarians rely on.
She has also previously served as Minister Responsible for Poverty Reduction, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Minister of Children and Youth Services.
She was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2003 as the MPP for London North Centre. She was re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2014.
Matthews is a lifelong resident of London and a graduate of Western University where she earned a BA in Sociology and a PhD in Social Demography.
Matthews has three children and five grandchildren.