Diane Marleau
Encyclopedia
Diane Marleau, PC
, MP (born June 21, 1943) is a Canadian
politician. She represented the riding of Sudbury
in the Canadian House of Commons
from 1988 to 2008, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Jean Chrétien
. Marleau is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada
.
, one of three children raised by a single mother in a low-income household. She was a childhood friend of Marie-Paule Charette, who later became a Senator and president of the Liberal Party.
She studied Commerce at the University of Ottawa
, but left after three years when she married fellow student Paul Marleau and moved to Sudbury. She worked as the secretary to a medical doctor for five years, prior to the introduction of Medicare
. She later said that this experience made her realize the importance of a publicly-funded health system, saying "I was the one who had to collect the bills. It gave me an understanding of what it means when people are obliged to pay to see a doctor."
Marleau returned to Laurentian University
as a mature student, and completed a Bachelor's Degree
in Economics (1976). She worked as an accountant, managed an office for a firm of chartered accountants, and operated a restaurant she co-owned with her husband. She also served on the boards of Laurentian University and Laurentian Hospital
. Marleau worked on Judy Erola
's campaign in the 1980 federal election
, and later credited Erola as a role model
for her own career in public life.
councillor from 1980 to 1985. She chaired the city's Finance Committee, and backed a "pay as you go" debt-elimination plan that prohibited borrowing on capital investments. She served on the board of governors of Cambrian College
, and was a member of the Ontario Advisory Council on Women's Issues. In 1983, she chaired the Canadian Games for Physically Disabled.
After the 1985 provincial election
, Ontario Liberal Party
leader David Peterson
appointed Marleau to a ten-member transition team that assisted the party as it formed government for the first time in 42 years. She ran for Mayor of Sudbury in the 1985 municipal elections
, and lost to incumbent Peter Wong
. She was asked to run for the Ontario Liberal Party in the 1987 provincial election
, but declined. Marleau was considered to be on the right-wing of the Liberal Party in this period, although she later identified with a more left-wing position.
. The Progressive Conservative Party
under Brian Mulroney
won a majority government
in this election, and Marleau served in the Official Opposition as critic for Energy, Mines and Resources. She supported Jean Chrétien
's successful bid for the party leadership in 1990, and was appointed to a five-person working group to design the party's tax policy. She was named deputy Liberal whip
in 1991, and became associate finance critic in 1992. Marleau criticized Bank of Canada
governor John Crow
during this period, arguing that his high interest rate policy was driving the economy into a recession
.
The Liberals won a majority government in 1993 federal election
, and incoming Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
appointed Marleau as Minister of National Health and Welfare and Minister of Amateur Sport on November 4, 1993. This came as a surprise to many political observers, as Marleau did not have the national profile normally associated with Health portfolio. Some have speculated that Chrétien originally planned to appoint Marleau as Minister of National Revenue
, and assigned her to Health as a late replacement for Sheila Copps
and/or Hedy Fry
.
Marleau is a vocal supporter of public medicare. As Health Minister, she once said that she opposed user fees on the grounds that they discourage poor people from seeking medical treatment until the advanced stages of illness.
She intervened on more than one occasion to ensure that provincial governments upheld the principles of the Canada Health Act
. Marleau withheld $750,000 in transfer payments to British Columbia
in April 1994, after some doctors in that province extra-billed their patients for services. She defended this decision by arguing that it was inappropriate for taxpayers to subsidize private medicine. The British Columbia government supported her decision, and pledged to work with her in the future against extra-billing. Marleau also expressed concern about Ontario
's cuts to out-of-country hospital insurance in the same period, though she added that her government could do little to intervene in this particular situation.
Marleau later took action to stop provincial governments from funding semi-private clinics that required patients to pay facility fees. This was primarily directed against Alberta
, where the provincial government of Ralph Klein argued that such fees were not in violation of the Canada Health Act. In 1995, Marleau warned the Alberta government that it would face transfer cuts if it did not shut down its private eye and diagnostic clinics before a federal deadline. Alberta agreed to develop a new policy shortly before time expired. Marleau later indicated that her standoff with Alberta was opposed by some in the Prime Minister's Office, who worried about encroaching on a provincial jurisdiction during the period of the 1995 Quebec referendum
. For his part, Chrétien described Marleau's stand against the Klein government as "courageous" in his 2007 memoirs.
After Marleau left the Health portfolio, the Chrétien government allowed Alberta doctors to work in both the public and private sectors by selling services not deemed "medically necessary". This did not technically constitute extra billing, as the services were not covered by medicare. Marleau opposed this decision.
The Chrétien government's 1995 austerity budget reduced transfer payments to the provinces, and provided lump-sum financing for health and social spending in place of separate budgetary envelopes. Marleau argued that the new approach would free the provinces to spend more money on health, and allow them to better carry out the Canada Health Act's provisions. Some critics argued that the change put medicare at risk, while others suggested it would jeopardize other social programs in favour of health spending.
The Chrétien government introduced a significant tax cut on tobacco
in early 1994, to counter powerful smuggling rings that had emerged in Quebec
. This decision was opposed by health professionals, on the grounds that it would lead to increased smoking rates among youth. Marleau personally opposed the strategy but could not prevent its implementation, a fact that undermined her reputation in the health community. She argued that the Chrétien government still favoured high tobacco taxes as a long-term strategy, and would seek to mitigate the cuts with a youth education program on the dangers of tobacco.
In April 1994, Marleau announced plans for legislation requiring that cigarettes be sold only in plain packages without corporate logos. This was strongly opposed by the tobacco industry, and ran into delays in the federal health committee. In June 1994, committee chair Roger Simmons
issued a report indicating that Marleau's proposal was viable, but should be deferred pending research as to whether it would actually reduce smoking levels. A May 1995 report found no conclusive proof that plain packaging would reduce smoking, but suggested it would be effective in deterring children from starting the habit.
Marleau's plans suffered a setback later in 1995, when the Supreme Court of Canada
unexpectedly struck down a law against tobacco advertising that had been passed by the Mulroney government in 1988. She expressed disappointment at the ruling, but later introduced a blueprint for new legislation that would ban all tobacco advertising and severely restrict tobacco companies from sponsoring arts and cultural events. The latter measure was opposed by some in the arts community, although polls showed that most Canadians supported the proposal.
Marleau left the Health portfolio before the legislation was introduced, and it was left to her successor David Dingwall
to introduce modified legislation in late 1996. The resulting Tobacco Act
was passed in early 1997.
Marleau established a section of Canada's Health department specifically devoted to women's issues, and introduced Canada's first Centre of Excellence focused on Women's Health. She brought forward a pilot project to better inform women about breast cancer
in 1994, and later introduced a program to ensure that low-income pregnant women would have access to proper nutrition and prenatal care. In 1995, she announced the first conference on women's health issues sponsored by both Canada and the United States.
Marleau received a report on new reproductive technologies shortly after her appointment as Health Minister, and welcomed its primary thesis that conception and child-bearing should not become for-profit industries. She reiterated this view in late 1994, when speaking about the need for legislation to prevent the sale of human sperm and eggs. She called for a voluntary moratorium on commercial surrogate motherhood contracts the following year, as a first step toward greater regulation. Some believed this approach fell short of the 1993 report's recommendations, and expressed concern that it would be ineffective. Marleau later acknowledged that the voluntary approach was not successful, and indicated that legislation banning the sale of human eggs was forthcoming. Her successor introduced the legislation in June 1996.
In March 1994, Marleau announced that her government would legalize cannabis for commercial hemp
production. In the same year, however, she introduced a bill to create a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that would increase penalties for simple possession of marijuana. This was criticized by many in the Liberal caucus. The bill passed committee hearings more-or-less intact, but was withdrawn from the House of Commons agenda in July 1995.
Marleau introduced some programs to alleviate health problems in aboriginal communities during her tenure as Health Minister. A deal between the federal government and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
was delayed in early 1995, as the result of disagreements on whether First Nations health care was a treaty right.
The Chrétien government set up a 22-member National Forum on Health in 1994, with Chrétien as chair and Marleau as vice-chair. They were joined by twenty health professionals and private citizens, with a mandate that focused on matters such as the health costs associated with an aging society, patient choice and responsibility, and research priorities. Some provincial governments criticized the structure of the panel, and some in the media argued that Roy Romanow
would have been a better choice for chair.
In addition to serving as Health Minister, Marleau also served on a committee of cabinet that focused on jobs and the economy.
Marleau's performance as Health Minister was frequently criticized in the national press. A Globe and Mail report in April 1994 argued that the government's tobacco tax cuts had made her the most undermined minister in Chrétien's cabinet. Throughout 1994 and 1995, there was frequent speculation that she would be shifted to another portfolio. One of the few occasions in which the national media supported her was during her stand against Alberta's semi-private clinics. Marleau later acknowledged that she was regarded as a weak minister after failing to stop the tobacco tax cut, but defended her overall performance by saying that she consistently stood up for public health care against powerful opposition.
Minister of Public Works
Marleau was appointed as Minister of Public Works
and Minister of Supply and Services on January 25, 1996. During her term, these positions were amalgamated into the position of Minister of Public Works and Government Services
. Her first major act in this portfolio was to introduce Canada's newly-minted two-dollar coin
at a Montreal
civic landmark in February 1996.
In late 1996, George Radwanski
submitted a report to the federal government on the future of Canada Post
. Although he opposed privatisation, he argued that the crown corporation was "needlessly and unfairly" competing with the private sector in some areas. Marleau accepted Radwanski's primary findings, and said that Canada Post
would withdraw from delivering most store fliers and unaddressed junk mail
. Canada Post responded by announcing that it would need to dismiss almost 10,000 part-time workers, and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers
held a series of protests against the government. Marleau did not endorse Radwanski's recommendation that Canada Post should concentrate solely on delivering regular mail, and also disagreed with his call for the government to sell Purolator Courier
.
Shortly before the 1997 federal election
, Marleau announced that the federal government would review Canada Post's urban and rural delivery services and appoint an ombudsman
to oversee the corporation.
In November 1996, Marleau and Jean Chrétien sought and received $34 million dollars from the Treasury Board of Canada for sponsorship spending earmarked toward national unity. This followed a narrow federalist victory in the 1995 Quebec referendum
, and was intended to reduce the threat of Quebec separatism. The program continued under Marleau's successor, Alfonso Gagliano
. Some of these funds were later discovered to have been misappropriated, leading to a national controversy known as the sponsorship scandal
. Marleau subsequently testified before a public inquiry that she did not personally oversee the program, and that she had declined on procedural grounds to receive direct reports from sponsorship head Chuck Guité. Her account was confirmed by others involved in the program, and she was cleared of any wrongdoing by a commission led by Justice John Gomery
.
Marleau privatized the Canada Communications Group's printing, warehousing and distribution operations in 1996, but took steps to ensure that jobs, wage levels and benefits would be protected after the sale. She later warned the Ontario provincial government of Mike Harris
against its plans to download social housing to the municipalities, arguing that any such move would require Ottawa's concurrence. Her successor formally rejected the Harris government's plan in July 1997.
Marleau announced that the Department of Public Works would tighten its anti-discriminatory regulations in 1996, after an employee working on repairs at the Peace Tower
complained of sexual discrimination. One of her last major acts as Public Works Minister was to officially open Confederation Bridge
, a permanent land link between Prince Edward Island
and the rest of Canada.
Reflecting on Marleau's tenure as Public Works Minister in 2002, journalist Edward Greenspon wrote that she did not fit the profile of the "pork barrel
" politician usually assigned to the portfolio and that her term in office was necessarily brief.
Minister of International Cooperation
Marleau was re-elected without difficulty in the 1997 federal election
, in which the Liberals won a second consecutive majority government. On June 11, 1997, she was appointed as Minister for International Co-operation
and Minister responsible for La Francophonie
. Shortly after her appointment, she called on Canada to take a stronger role in developing information technology
services in the global south. She later wrote a piece supporting microcredit
loans, arguing that they would promote women's rights in under-developed countries.
Marleau announced in late 1997 that she would try to convince her cabinet colleagues not to proceed with a scheduled $150 million cut in international aid. She argued that the cut was initially planned as part of a deficit-fighting strategy, and said that Canada's improved financial situation made it unnecessary. The budget cuts were eventually held to $60 million, and Marleau expressed hope that no further reductions would occur in the future.
Marleau introduced several aid programs during her tenure as International Cooperation Minister. She committed two million dollars to land mine removal in Afghanistan
and Cambodia
, and announced $23.8 million dollars for infrastructure, water and environmental projects in Bangladesh
. She pledged $500,000 to promoting dialogue between Israel
is and Palestinians in June 1998, and promised $100 million over three to four years for Central America
n rebuilding efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch
. She also committed over fifty million dollars in new money for Kosovar
refugees in March 1999.
Marleau gave permission for Canadian organizations to send direct famine relief to North Korea
in 1997, during a period of widespread starvation in that country. Direct aid to North Korea is normally prohibited for geopolitical reasons, but Marleau and others argued that humanitarian intervention was necessary in this instance.
In April 1998, Marleau said that Canada would consider restoring foreign aid to Burma after ten years of sanctions for human rights abuses. She argued that Canada was often able to bring about quiet diplomacy with repressive regimes, after earning their trust through development work. Her comments about Burma were widely criticized, and she later indicated that the restoration of foreign aid was conditional on improved human rights conditions.
Prior to the 2000 federal election
, Marleau aligned herself with a group of Liberal MPs who supported Paul Martin
's ambition to succeed Chrétien as party leader. Nothing came of this in the short term, and Chrétien led the Liberals to a third consecutive majority government. Marleau ran to become Speaker of the House of Commons in January 2001, but was eliminated on the first ballot. In July 2002, she became one of the first sixteen Liberal MPs to openly call on Chrétien to resign as party leader.
In May 2003, Marleau introduced the first-ever Older Adults Justice Act in Canada. It called for the creation of a national ombudsman on the rights of older Canadians, and sought to amend the Criminal Code to make it a criminal offence to knowingly target the elderly for criminal purposes. The legislation died at committee when parliament was dissolved for the 2004 federal election
, and was re-introduced by Lloyd St. Amand
in the next Parliament.
Paul Martin
succeeded Jean Chrétien as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister of Canada
in December 2003, and led the Liberals to a minority government
in the 2004 election. Marleau was re-elected to a fifth term, and was appointed as parliamentary secretary
to the President of the Treasury Board and the minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board
. There was speculation that she would be returned to cabinet in late 2005, but nothing came of this.
The Liberals were defeated in the 2006 federal election
, as the Conservatives
under Stephen Harper
won a minority government. Marleau ran for Speaker again at the start of the new parliament, arguing that she would work to restore decorum during Question Period
. She was defeated by incumbent speaker Peter Milliken
.
Marleau endorsed Bob Rae
in the 2006 Liberal Party leadership contest, and moved to the camp of Stéphane Dion
when Rae was eliminated on the next-to-last ballot. She later became a prominent supporter of Dion's Green Shift plan within the Liberal Party. Marleau chaired the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th parliament, and was also elected chair of the Liberal Women's Caucus in March 2008.
Marleau was defeated by New Democratic Party
candidate Glenn Thibeault
in the 2008 federal election
. She later said that comments made by Sudbury Member of Provincial Parliament Rick Bartolucci
shortly before election day played a "crucial" role in her defeat. Marleau later said that she will probably not seek re-election to the House of Commons.
The Conservative Party won a second minority government in the 2008 election. In December 2008, the Liberals and New Democrats announced plans to defeat the Conservatives on a motion of non-confidence and form a new coalition government
. Marleau was a supporter of the proposed coalition, which dissolved when Stephen Harper prorogued parliament and Michael Ignatieff
replaced Dion as Liberal leader.
of the city in 2003.
All statistical information is taken from Elections Canada
. Italicized expenditures from elections after 1997 refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available.
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
, MP (born June 21, 1943) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician. She represented the riding of Sudbury
Sudbury (electoral district)
Sudbury is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1949.Its population in 2001 was 89,443. The district is one of two serving the city of Greater Sudbury, Ontario....
in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
from 1988 to 2008, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
. Marleau is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
.
Early life and career
Marleau was born Diane Lebal in Kirkland Lake, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, one of three children raised by a single mother in a low-income household. She was a childhood friend of Marie-Paule Charette, who later became a Senator and president of the Liberal Party.
She studied Commerce at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
, but left after three years when she married fellow student Paul Marleau and moved to Sudbury. She worked as the secretary to a medical doctor for five years, prior to the introduction of Medicare
Medicare (Canada)
Medicare is the unofficial name for Canada's publicly funded universal health insurance system. The formal terminology for the insurance system is provided by the Canada Health Act and the health insurance legislation of the individual provinces and territories.Under the terms of the Canada Health...
. She later said that this experience made her realize the importance of a publicly-funded health system, saying "I was the one who had to collect the bills. It gave me an understanding of what it means when people are obliged to pay to see a doctor."
Marleau returned to Laurentian University
Laurentian University
Laurentian University , was incorporated on March 28, 1960, is a mid-sized bilingual university in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada....
as a mature student, and completed a Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Economics (1976). She worked as an accountant, managed an office for a firm of chartered accountants, and operated a restaurant she co-owned with her husband. She also served on the boards of Laurentian University and Laurentian Hospital
Sudbury Regional Hospital
Health Sciences North is a hospital located on 41 Ramsey Lake Road in the city of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.The HSN, formerly the Sudbury Regional Hospital , was established in the 1990s as part of provincial health care restructuring program by the Mike Harris government...
. Marleau worked on Judy Erola
Judy Erola
Judith Erola, née Jacobson, PC is a former Canadian politician, who represented the riding of Nickel Belt in the Canadian House of Commons from 1980 to 1984. She was a member of the Liberal Party....
's campaign in the 1980 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1980
The Canadian federal election of 1980 was held on February 18, 1980 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 32nd Parliament of Canada...
, and later credited Erola as a role model
Role model
The term role model generally means any "person who serves as an example, whose behaviour is emulated by others".The term first appeared in Robert K. Merton's socialization research of medical students...
for her own career in public life.
Municipal politics
Marleau entered politics at the municipal level, serving as a Sudbury alderman and a Regional Municipality of SudburyRegional Municipality of Sudbury, Ontario
The Regional Municipality of Sudbury was a regional municipality in Ontario, Canada, which existed from 1973 to 2000.-Structure:The regional municipality expanded the boundaries of the city of Sudbury to annex the community of Copper Cliff, the unincorporated geographic township of Broder and half...
councillor from 1980 to 1985. She chaired the city's Finance Committee, and backed a "pay as you go" debt-elimination plan that prohibited borrowing on capital investments. She served on the board of governors of Cambrian College
Cambrian College
Cambrian College is a college of applied arts and technology in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1967, and funded by the province of Ontario, Cambrian has campuses in Sudbury, Espanola and Little Current....
, and was a member of the Ontario Advisory Council on Women's Issues. In 1983, she chaired the Canadian Games for Physically Disabled.
After the 1985 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1985
The Ontario general election of 1985 was held on May 2, 1985, to elect members of the 33rd Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada...
, Ontario Liberal Party
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
leader David Peterson
David Peterson
David Robert Peterson, PC, O.Ont was the 20th Premier of the Province of Ontario, Canada, from June 26, 1985 to October 1, 1990. He was the first Liberal premier of Ontario in 42 years....
appointed Marleau to a ten-member transition team that assisted the party as it formed government for the first time in 42 years. She ran for Mayor of Sudbury in the 1985 municipal elections
Ontario municipal elections, 1985
The 1985 Ontario municipal elections were held on November 12, 1985 to elect mayors, municipal councils, school boards, and hydro commissions in cities, towns and other incorporated communities throughout the Canadian province of Ontario....
, and lost to incumbent Peter Wong
Peter Wong (Canadian politician)
Peter Wong was a Canadian politician, who served as mayor of Sudbury, Ontario from 1982 to 1991, and chair of the Regional Municipality of Sudbury from 1997 until his death the following year....
. She was asked to run for the Ontario Liberal Party in the 1987 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1987
The Ontario general election of 1987 was held on September 10, 1987, to elect members of the 34th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada.The governing Ontario Liberal Party, led by David Peterson, was returned to power with a large majority...
, but declined. Marleau was considered to be on the right-wing of the Liberal Party in this period, although she later identified with a more left-wing position.
Member of Parliament
Marleau was first elected to the House of Commons in the 1988 federal electionCanadian federal election, 1988
The Canadian federal election of 1988 was held November 21, 1988, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 34th Parliament of Canada. It was an election largely fought on a single issue: the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement ....
. The Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
under Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
won a majority government
Majority government
A majority government is when the governing party has an absolute majority of seats in the legislature or parliament in a parliamentary system. This is as opposed to a minority government, where even the largest party wins only a plurality of seats and thus must constantly bargain for support from...
in this election, and Marleau served in the Official Opposition as critic for Energy, Mines and Resources. She supported Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
's successful bid for the party leadership in 1990, and was appointed to a five-person working group to design the party's tax policy. She was named deputy Liberal whip
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
in 1991, and became associate finance critic in 1992. Marleau criticized Bank of Canada
Bank of Canada
The Bank of Canada is Canada's central bank and "lender of last resort". The Bank was created by an Act of Parliament on July 3, 1934 as a privately owned corporation. In 1938, the Bank became a Crown corporation belonging to the Government of Canada...
governor John Crow
John Crow
John William Crow was the fifth Governor of the Bank of Canada from 1987 to 1994, succeeding Gerald Bouey. He was succeeded by Gordon Thiessen....
during this period, arguing that his high interest rate policy was driving the economy into a recession
Recession
In economics, a recession is a business cycle contraction, a general slowdown in economic activity. During recessions, many macroeconomic indicators vary in a similar way...
.
Cabinet minister
Minister of HealthThe Liberals won a majority government in 1993 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1993
The Canadian federal election of 1993 was held on October 25 of that year to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 35th Parliament of Canada. Fourteen parties competed for the 295 seats in the House at that time...
, and incoming Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
appointed Marleau as Minister of National Health and Welfare and Minister of Amateur Sport on November 4, 1993. This came as a surprise to many political observers, as Marleau did not have the national profile normally associated with Health portfolio. Some have speculated that Chrétien originally planned to appoint Marleau as Minister of National Revenue
Minister of National Revenue (Canada)
The Minister of National Revenue is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency and the administration of taxation law and collection....
, and assigned her to Health as a late replacement for Sheila Copps
Sheila Copps
Sheila Maureen Copps, PC is a former Canadian politician who also served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada from November 4, 1993 to April 30, 1996 and June 19, 1996 to June 11, 1997....
and/or Hedy Fry
Hedy Fry
Hedy Fry, PC, MP is a Canadian politician and physician. She is the Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre.-Early life:Fry was born into poverty in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago...
.
- Public health car
Marleau is a vocal supporter of public medicare. As Health Minister, she once said that she opposed user fees on the grounds that they discourage poor people from seeking medical treatment until the advanced stages of illness.
She intervened on more than one occasion to ensure that provincial governments upheld the principles of the Canada Health Act
Canada Health Act
The Canada Health Act is a piece of Canadian federal legislation, adopted in 1984, which specifies the conditions and criteria with which the provincial and territorial health insurance programs must conform in order to receive federal transfer payments under the Canada Health Transfer...
. Marleau withheld $750,000 in transfer payments to British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
in April 1994, after some doctors in that province extra-billed their patients for services. She defended this decision by arguing that it was inappropriate for taxpayers to subsidize private medicine. The British Columbia government supported her decision, and pledged to work with her in the future against extra-billing. Marleau also expressed concern about Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
's cuts to out-of-country hospital insurance in the same period, though she added that her government could do little to intervene in this particular situation.
Marleau later took action to stop provincial governments from funding semi-private clinics that required patients to pay facility fees. This was primarily directed against Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, where the provincial government of Ralph Klein argued that such fees were not in violation of the Canada Health Act. In 1995, Marleau warned the Alberta government that it would face transfer cuts if it did not shut down its private eye and diagnostic clinics before a federal deadline. Alberta agreed to develop a new policy shortly before time expired. Marleau later indicated that her standoff with Alberta was opposed by some in the Prime Minister's Office, who worried about encroaching on a provincial jurisdiction during the period of the 1995 Quebec referendum
1995 Quebec referendum
The 1995 Quebec referendum was the second referendum to ask voters in the Canadian province of Quebec whether Quebec should secede from Canada and become an independent state, through the question:...
. For his part, Chrétien described Marleau's stand against the Klein government as "courageous" in his 2007 memoirs.
After Marleau left the Health portfolio, the Chrétien government allowed Alberta doctors to work in both the public and private sectors by selling services not deemed "medically necessary". This did not technically constitute extra billing, as the services were not covered by medicare. Marleau opposed this decision.
- Federal spendin
The Chrétien government's 1995 austerity budget reduced transfer payments to the provinces, and provided lump-sum financing for health and social spending in place of separate budgetary envelopes. Marleau argued that the new approach would free the provinces to spend more money on health, and allow them to better carry out the Canada Health Act's provisions. Some critics argued that the change put medicare at risk, while others suggested it would jeopardize other social programs in favour of health spending.
- Anti-smoking polic
The Chrétien government introduced a significant tax cut on tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
in early 1994, to counter powerful smuggling rings that had emerged in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. This decision was opposed by health professionals, on the grounds that it would lead to increased smoking rates among youth. Marleau personally opposed the strategy but could not prevent its implementation, a fact that undermined her reputation in the health community. She argued that the Chrétien government still favoured high tobacco taxes as a long-term strategy, and would seek to mitigate the cuts with a youth education program on the dangers of tobacco.
In April 1994, Marleau announced plans for legislation requiring that cigarettes be sold only in plain packages without corporate logos. This was strongly opposed by the tobacco industry, and ran into delays in the federal health committee. In June 1994, committee chair Roger Simmons
Roger Simmons
Roger Simmons, PC is a public policy consultant and former politician and diplomat in Canada.Simmons is originally from Newfoundland and Labrador where he was an active politician for many years. He is now based at the Vancouver, British Columbia office of the Gowlings law firm.Simmons was born in...
issued a report indicating that Marleau's proposal was viable, but should be deferred pending research as to whether it would actually reduce smoking levels. A May 1995 report found no conclusive proof that plain packaging would reduce smoking, but suggested it would be effective in deterring children from starting the habit.
Marleau's plans suffered a setback later in 1995, when the Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
unexpectedly struck down a law against tobacco advertising that had been passed by the Mulroney government in 1988. She expressed disappointment at the ruling, but later introduced a blueprint for new legislation that would ban all tobacco advertising and severely restrict tobacco companies from sponsoring arts and cultural events. The latter measure was opposed by some in the arts community, although polls showed that most Canadians supported the proposal.
Marleau left the Health portfolio before the legislation was introduced, and it was left to her successor David Dingwall
David Dingwall
David Charles Dingwall, PC is a former Canadian Cabinet minister and civil servant.A lawyer by training, Dingwall was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1980 Canadian federal election as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—East Richmond in Nova Scotia...
to introduce modified legislation in late 1996. The resulting Tobacco Act
Tobacco Act (Canada)
The Tobacco Act is a Canadian law passed in 1997. Its stated purpose is to protect the health of Canadians by imposing limits on the sale and production of tobacco products....
was passed in early 1997.
- Women's healt
Marleau established a section of Canada's Health department specifically devoted to women's issues, and introduced Canada's first Centre of Excellence focused on Women's Health. She brought forward a pilot project to better inform women about breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in 1994, and later introduced a program to ensure that low-income pregnant women would have access to proper nutrition and prenatal care. In 1995, she announced the first conference on women's health issues sponsored by both Canada and the United States.
Marleau received a report on new reproductive technologies shortly after her appointment as Health Minister, and welcomed its primary thesis that conception and child-bearing should not become for-profit industries. She reiterated this view in late 1994, when speaking about the need for legislation to prevent the sale of human sperm and eggs. She called for a voluntary moratorium on commercial surrogate motherhood contracts the following year, as a first step toward greater regulation. Some believed this approach fell short of the 1993 report's recommendations, and expressed concern that it would be ineffective. Marleau later acknowledged that the voluntary approach was not successful, and indicated that legislation banning the sale of human eggs was forthcoming. Her successor introduced the legislation in June 1996.
- Othe
In March 1994, Marleau announced that her government would legalize cannabis for commercial hemp
Hemp
Hemp is mostly used as a name for low tetrahydrocannabinol strains of the plant Cannabis sativa, of fiber and/or oilseed varieties. In modern times, hemp has been used for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food and fuel with modest...
production. In the same year, however, she introduced a bill to create a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that would increase penalties for simple possession of marijuana. This was criticized by many in the Liberal caucus. The bill passed committee hearings more-or-less intact, but was withdrawn from the House of Commons agenda in July 1995.
Marleau introduced some programs to alleviate health problems in aboriginal communities during her tenure as Health Minister. A deal between the federal government and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is an organization of First Nations leaders in Manitoba, Canada. Its current Grand Chief is Ron Evans of the Norway House Cree Nation.-External links:*...
was delayed in early 1995, as the result of disagreements on whether First Nations health care was a treaty right.
The Chrétien government set up a 22-member National Forum on Health in 1994, with Chrétien as chair and Marleau as vice-chair. They were joined by twenty health professionals and private citizens, with a mandate that focused on matters such as the health costs associated with an aging society, patient choice and responsibility, and research priorities. Some provincial governments criticized the structure of the panel, and some in the media argued that Roy Romanow
Roy Romanow
Roy John Romanow, PC, OC, QC, SOM is a Canadian politician and the 12th Premier of Saskatchewan ....
would have been a better choice for chair.
In addition to serving as Health Minister, Marleau also served on a committee of cabinet that focused on jobs and the economy.
- Media coverag
Marleau's performance as Health Minister was frequently criticized in the national press. A Globe and Mail report in April 1994 argued that the government's tobacco tax cuts had made her the most undermined minister in Chrétien's cabinet. Throughout 1994 and 1995, there was frequent speculation that she would be shifted to another portfolio. One of the few occasions in which the national media supported her was during her stand against Alberta's semi-private clinics. Marleau later acknowledged that she was regarded as a weak minister after failing to stop the tobacco tax cut, but defended her overall performance by saying that she consistently stood up for public health care against powerful opposition.
Minister of Public Works
Marleau was appointed as Minister of Public Works
Minister of Public Works (Canada)
The position of Minister of Public Works existed as part of the Cabinet of Canada from Confederation to 1995.As part of substantial governmental reorganization, the position was merged with that of the Minister of Supply and Services to create the position of Minister of Public Works and Government...
and Minister of Supply and Services on January 25, 1996. During her term, these positions were amalgamated into the position of Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Minister of Public Works and Government Services (Canada)
The Minister of Public Works and Government Services is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing the federal government's "common service organization" , an expansive department responsible for the internal servicing and administration of the federal...
. Her first major act in this portfolio was to introduce Canada's newly-minted two-dollar coin
Toonie
The Canadian 2 dollar coin, commonly called Toonie, was introduced on February 19, 1996 by Public Works minister Diane Marleau. The Toonie is a bi-metallic coin which bears an image of a polar bear, by Campbellford, Ontario artist Brent Townsend, on the reverse. The obverse, like all other current...
at a Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
civic landmark in February 1996.
- Canada Pos
In late 1996, George Radwanski
George Radwanski
George Radwanski is a former public servant, policy adviser, journalist and author. He is most recently known for having served as Privacy Commissioner of Canada until he resigned amid a controversy over allegedly too high-spending expense claims, maintaining that he was the victim of a political...
submitted a report to the federal government on the future of Canada Post
Canada Post
Canada Post Corporation, known more simply as Canada Post , is the Canadian crown corporation which functions as the country's primary postal operator...
. Although he opposed privatisation, he argued that the crown corporation was "needlessly and unfairly" competing with the private sector in some areas. Marleau accepted Radwanski's primary findings, and said that Canada Post
Canada Post
Canada Post Corporation, known more simply as Canada Post , is the Canadian crown corporation which functions as the country's primary postal operator...
would withdraw from delivering most store fliers and unaddressed junk mail
Junk mail
Junk mail may refer to:* Junk Mail Publishing* Advertising mail* Spam , unsolicited electronic mail* Junk Mail * "The Junk Mail", an episode from the TV series Seinfeld...
. Canada Post responded by announcing that it would need to dismiss almost 10,000 part-time workers, and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers or CUPW is a public sector trade union representing postal workers employed at Canada Post as well as private sector workers outside Canada Post.-Activities:...
held a series of protests against the government. Marleau did not endorse Radwanski's recommendation that Canada Post should concentrate solely on delivering regular mail, and also disagreed with his call for the government to sell Purolator Courier
Purolator Courier
Purolator Courier Ltd. is a Canadian courier that is 91% owned by Canada Post Corporation, 7% owned by Barry Lapointe Holdings Ltd. and 2% by others....
.
Shortly before the 1997 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1997
The Canadian federal election of 1997 was held on June 2, 1997, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 36th Parliament of Canada. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Liberal Party of Canada won a second majority government...
, Marleau announced that the federal government would review Canada Post's urban and rural delivery services and appoint an ombudsman
Ombudsman
An ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
to oversee the corporation.
- Sponsorship progra
In November 1996, Marleau and Jean Chrétien sought and received $34 million dollars from the Treasury Board of Canada for sponsorship spending earmarked toward national unity. This followed a narrow federalist victory in the 1995 Quebec referendum
1995 Quebec referendum
The 1995 Quebec referendum was the second referendum to ask voters in the Canadian province of Quebec whether Quebec should secede from Canada and become an independent state, through the question:...
, and was intended to reduce the threat of Quebec separatism. The program continued under Marleau's successor, Alfonso Gagliano
Alfonso Gagliano
Alfonso Gagliano, PC, FCGA is a Canadian accountant and a former Liberal Party politician.Born in Siculiana, Italy, his political career began in 1977 when he ran for a seat on the Montreal school board. In the 1984 federal election, he ran for Parliament for Saint-Léonard—Anjou narrowly...
. Some of these funds were later discovered to have been misappropriated, leading to a national controversy known as the sponsorship scandal
Sponsorship scandal
The sponsorship scandal, "AdScam", "Sponsorship" or Sponsorgate, is a scandal that came as a result of a Canadian federal government "sponsorship program" in the province of Quebec and involving the Liberal Party of Canada, which was in power from 1993 to 2006...
. Marleau subsequently testified before a public inquiry that she did not personally oversee the program, and that she had declined on procedural grounds to receive direct reports from sponsorship head Chuck Guité. Her account was confirmed by others involved in the program, and she was cleared of any wrongdoing by a commission led by Justice John Gomery
John Gomery
John H. Gomery, BCL, BA, QC is a retired Canadian jurist. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Personal life:Gomery has a daughter, Cym Gomery, who is a partisan and candidate of municipal party Projet Montreal. Gomery is fluently bilingual, as is his daughter...
.
- Othe
Marleau privatized the Canada Communications Group's printing, warehousing and distribution operations in 1996, but took steps to ensure that jobs, wage levels and benefits would be protected after the sale. She later warned the Ontario provincial government of Mike Harris
Mike Harris
Michael Deane "Mike" Harris was the 22nd Premier of Ontario from June 26, 1995 to April 15, 2002. He is most noted for the "Common Sense Revolution", his Progressive Conservative government's program of deficit reduction in combination with lower taxes and cuts to government...
against its plans to download social housing to the municipalities, arguing that any such move would require Ottawa's concurrence. Her successor formally rejected the Harris government's plan in July 1997.
Marleau announced that the Department of Public Works would tighten its anti-discriminatory regulations in 1996, after an employee working on repairs at the Peace Tower
Peace Tower
The Peace Tower is a focal bell and clock tower, sitting on the central axis of the Centre Block of the Canadian parliament buildings in Ottawa, Ontario. The present incarnation replaced the Victoria Tower after the latter burned down in 1916, along with most of the Centre Block...
complained of sexual discrimination. One of her last major acts as Public Works Minister was to officially open Confederation Bridge
Confederation Bridge
The Confederation Bridge is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. It was commonly referred to as the "Fixed Link" by residents of Prince Edward Island prior to its official naming. Construction took place...
, a permanent land link between Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
and the rest of Canada.
Reflecting on Marleau's tenure as Public Works Minister in 2002, journalist Edward Greenspon wrote that she did not fit the profile of the "pork barrel
Pork barrel
Pork barrel is a derogatory term referring to appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district...
" politician usually assigned to the portfolio and that her term in office was necessarily brief.
Minister of International Cooperation
Marleau was re-elected without difficulty in the 1997 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1997
The Canadian federal election of 1997 was held on June 2, 1997, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 36th Parliament of Canada. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Liberal Party of Canada won a second majority government...
, in which the Liberals won a second consecutive majority government. On June 11, 1997, she was appointed as Minister for International Co-operation
Minister for International Cooperation (Canada)
The Minister for International Cooperation is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing Canadian international development strategy, including responsibility for the Canadian International Development Agency . The current Minister is Bev Oda.-Ministers:Key:...
and Minister responsible for La Francophonie
Minister responsible for La Francophonie (Canada)
The Minister responsible for La Francophonie is a member of the Canadian Cabinet who handles relations with the Francophonie, an international community of francophone nations. Roughly speaking it is the French equivalent of the Commonwealth of Nations....
. Shortly after her appointment, she called on Canada to take a stronger role in developing information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
services in the global south. She later wrote a piece supporting microcredit
Microcredit
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to those in poverty designed to spur entrepreneurship. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit...
loans, arguing that they would promote women's rights in under-developed countries.
Marleau announced in late 1997 that she would try to convince her cabinet colleagues not to proceed with a scheduled $150 million cut in international aid. She argued that the cut was initially planned as part of a deficit-fighting strategy, and said that Canada's improved financial situation made it unnecessary. The budget cuts were eventually held to $60 million, and Marleau expressed hope that no further reductions would occur in the future.
Marleau introduced several aid programs during her tenure as International Cooperation Minister. She committed two million dollars to land mine removal in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, and announced $23.8 million dollars for infrastructure, water and environmental projects in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. She pledged $500,000 to promoting dialogue between Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
is and Palestinians in June 1998, and promised $100 million over three to four years for Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
n rebuilding efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch
Hurricane Mitch
Hurricane Mitch was the most powerful hurricane and the most destructive of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season, with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph . The storm was the thirteenth tropical storm, ninth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the season. Along with Hurricane Georges, Mitch...
. She also committed over fifty million dollars in new money for Kosovar
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
refugees in March 1999.
Marleau gave permission for Canadian organizations to send direct famine relief to North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
in 1997, during a period of widespread starvation in that country. Direct aid to North Korea is normally prohibited for geopolitical reasons, but Marleau and others argued that humanitarian intervention was necessary in this instance.
In April 1998, Marleau said that Canada would consider restoring foreign aid to Burma after ten years of sanctions for human rights abuses. She argued that Canada was often able to bring about quiet diplomacy with repressive regimes, after earning their trust through development work. Her comments about Burma were widely criticized, and she later indicated that the restoration of foreign aid was conditional on improved human rights conditions.
Out of cabinet
Marleau was dropped from cabinet on August 3, 1999. She became increasingly critical of Jean Chrétien's leadership after being sent to the backbenches, and developed a reputation as a party maverick. In 2000, she argued that Chrétien was not doing enough to protect medicare and called on the government to block Alberta's plans to allow public funding for private, for-profit clinics. Some Liberal MPs were unhappy with Marleau's remarks; when asked about the matter, Chrétien remarked, "It looks like [bitterness], but I don't know".Prior to the 2000 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2000
The 2000 Canadian federal election was held on November 27, 2000, to elect 301 Members of Parliament of the Canadian House of Commons of the 37th Parliament of Canada....
, Marleau aligned herself with a group of Liberal MPs who supported Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
's ambition to succeed Chrétien as party leader. Nothing came of this in the short term, and Chrétien led the Liberals to a third consecutive majority government. Marleau ran to become Speaker of the House of Commons in January 2001, but was eliminated on the first ballot. In July 2002, she became one of the first sixteen Liberal MPs to openly call on Chrétien to resign as party leader.
In May 2003, Marleau introduced the first-ever Older Adults Justice Act in Canada. It called for the creation of a national ombudsman on the rights of older Canadians, and sought to amend the Criminal Code to make it a criminal offence to knowingly target the elderly for criminal purposes. The legislation died at committee when parliament was dissolved for the 2004 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
, and was re-introduced by Lloyd St. Amand
Lloyd St. Amand
Lloyd St. Amand is a Canadian politician and a former Member of Parliament for the riding of Brant. He is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada....
in the next Parliament.
Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
succeeded Jean Chrétien as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
in December 2003, and led the Liberals to a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
in the 2004 election. Marleau was re-elected to a fifth term, and was appointed as parliamentary secretary
Parliamentary Secretary
A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with his or her duties.In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to...
to the President of the Treasury Board and the minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board
Canadian Wheat Board
The Canadian Wheat Board was established by the Parliament of Canada on 5 July 1935 as a mandatory producer marketing system for wheat and barley in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and a small part of British Columbia...
. There was speculation that she would be returned to cabinet in late 2005, but nothing came of this.
The Liberals were defeated in the 2006 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2006
The 2006 Canadian federal election was held on January 23, 2006, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 39th Parliament of Canada. The Conservative Party of Canada won the greatest number of seats: 40.3% of seats, or 124 out of 308, up from 99 seats in 2004, and 36.3% of votes:...
, as the Conservatives
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
under Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
won a minority government. Marleau ran for Speaker again at the start of the new parliament, arguing that she would work to restore decorum during Question Period
Question Period
Question Period, known officially as Oral Questions occurs each sitting day in the Canadian House of Commons. According to the House of Commons Compendium, “The primary purpose of Question Period is to seek information from the Government and to call it to account for its actions.”-History:The...
. She was defeated by incumbent speaker Peter Milliken
Peter Milliken
Peter Andrew Stewart Milliken, UE is a Canadian lawyer and politician. He was a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 until his retirement in 2011 and served as Speaker of the House for 10 years beginning in 2001. Milliken represented the Ontario riding of Kingston and the Islands as a...
.
Marleau endorsed Bob Rae
Bob Rae
Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
in the 2006 Liberal Party leadership contest, and moved to the camp of Stéphane Dion
Stéphane Dion
Stéphane Maurice Dion, PC, MP is a Canadian politician who has been the Member of Parliament for the riding of Saint-Laurent–Cartierville in Montreal since 1996. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Leader of the Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons from 2006 to 2008...
when Rae was eliminated on the next-to-last ballot. She later became a prominent supporter of Dion's Green Shift plan within the Liberal Party. Marleau chaired the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates in the 39th parliament, and was also elected chair of the Liberal Women's Caucus in March 2008.
Marleau was defeated by New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
candidate Glenn Thibeault
Glenn Thibeault
Glenn Thibeault is a Canadian politician. Since 2008, he has represented the Ontario electoral district of Sudbury in the Canadian House of Commons...
in the 2008 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2008
The 2008 Canadian federal election was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the previous parliament had been dissolved by the Governor General on September 7, 2008...
. She later said that comments made by Sudbury Member of Provincial Parliament Rick Bartolucci
Rick Bartolucci
Rick Bartolucci is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He has represented Sudbury in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1995, and is a cabinet minister in the government of Dalton McGuinty...
shortly before election day played a "crucial" role in her defeat. Marleau later said that she will probably not seek re-election to the House of Commons.
The Conservative Party won a second minority government in the 2008 election. In December 2008, the Liberals and New Democrats announced plans to defeat the Conservatives on a motion of non-confidence and form a new coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
. Marleau was a supporter of the proposed coalition, which dissolved when Stephen Harper prorogued parliament and Michael Ignatieff
Michael Ignatieff
Michael Grant Ignatieff is a Canadian author, academic and former politician. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2008 until 2011...
replaced Dion as Liberal leader.
After politics
Marleau was awarded the Bernadine Yackman Award from the Business and Professional Women's Club of Greater Sudbury in March 2009.Family
Marleau's husband, Paul Marleau, is a prominent businessman in Sudbury who ran for mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the city in 2003.
Electoral record
Marleau was elected to the Sudbury City Council in 1980 and 1982. She also served on the Sudbury Regional Council.All statistical information is taken from Elections Canada
Elections Canada
Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency reporting directly to the Parliament of Canada. Its ongoing responsibility is to ensure that Canadians can exercise their choices in federal elections and referenda through an open and impartial process...
. Italicized expenditures from elections after 1997 refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available.