Audrey McLaughlin

Politician

• Born: November 7, 1936
• Place of Birth: Dutton, Ontario

Contribution: Audrey McLaughlin was the first female leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Canada. During her political career, she served Canada as a parliamentary member of the House of Commons, NDP chair, and chair of the party caucus. She also dedicated her life to promoting the importance of women in politics worldwide.

Personal Life and Education

Audrey McLaughlin was born Audrey Marlene Brown on November 7, 1936, in Dutton, Ontario. McLaughlin married when she was eighteen. She attended the University of Western Ontario and received a bachelor’s degree through correspondence while assisting her husband with the daily operations of their mink farm. In 1964, McLaughlin traveled to Ghana to teach for several years. Her marriage ended in divorce in 1972.

Teaching and Social Work

Upon returning to Canada in 1967, McLaughlin attended the University of Toronto and worked toward earning a master’s degree in social work, which she put to use during her tenure with the Metro Toronto Children’s Aid Society. In 1975, McLaughlin was named executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and in 1979, she moved to Whitehorse, Yukon, to start a consulting business. The issues she was involved with while running this business—child welfare, land division, and aboriginal self-government—sparked McLaughlin’s interest in politics, and she became involved in local NDP election campaigns.

Political Career

In 1987, McLaughlin became a parliamentary member for Yukon and entered the House of Commons, winning a by-election victory. She was only the second woman in Yukon history to hold this position. It was during this time that McLaughlin furthered her involvement within the NDP. From 1987 to 1989, she served as NDP critic for northern development, tourism, and the Constitution. In 1988, she became chair of the party caucus, seeking to continue her work to improve the status and participation of women in politics.

On December 2, 1989, McLaughlin was elected leader of the NDP and cemented her place in history as the first female leader of the party. Only nine New Democratic seats were secured in the 1993 election, and in April 1994, McLaughlin announced that she would be stepping down as leader. She resigned from the position in October 1995.

Retirement

In 1996, McLaughlin was named president of Socialist International Women, an international organization. She remained in the position until 1999, working with women involved with member political parties around the world. McLaughlin also remained the parliamentary member for Yukon until 1997, when she retired and became Yukon’s circumpolar envoy. In that position, she worked with the Arctic Council, Russia, Alaska, and some Scandinavian countries until 2000. In 2003, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for her outstanding service and dedication to Canada. McLaughlin also later served as a member of the Canadian Commission on the Pandemic and Education at the University of Toronto, as well as the chairperson of Grandmothers to Grandmothers Yukon.

Bibliography

"Audrey McLaughlin." Government of Canada, 13 Dec. 2021, www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/women-impact/politics/audrey-mclaughlin.html. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.

Bittner, Amanda, and Royce Koop. Parties, Elections, and the Future of Canadian Politics. Vancouver: UBC P, 2013. Print.

Gidluck, Lynn. Visionaries, Crusaders, and Firebrands: The Idealistic Canadians Who Built the NDP. Toronto: Lorimer, 2012. Print.

McLaughlin, Audrey, and Rick Archbold. A Woman’s Place: My Life and Politics. Toronto: Macfarlane, 1992. Print.

Trimble, Linda, and Jane Arscott. Still Counting: Women in Politics Across Canada. Toronto: U of Toronto P, 2003. Print.

Young, Lisa. Feminists and Party Politics. Vancouver: UBC P, 2000. Print.