View source for Deb Matthews

{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| name                = Deb Matthews
| honorific_suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|ECO|size=100%}}
| image               = Deb Matthews - Creative Commons Global Summit 2017 (34193824321) (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Matthews speaking at the 2017 Creative Commons Global Summit
| order               = 10th
| office              = Deputy Premier of Ontario
| term_start          = February 11, 2013
| term_end            = January 17, 2018
| premier             = [[Kathleen Wynne]]
| monarch             = 
| lieutenant_governor = 
| predecessor         = [[Dwight Duncan]]
| successor           = [[Christine Elliott]]
| office1             = [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|Member of Provincial Parliament]]<br />for [[London North Centre (provincial electoral district)|London North Centre]]
| term_start1         = October 2, 2003
| term_end1           = June 6, 2018
| predecessor1        = [[Dianne Cunningham]]
| successor1          = [[Terence Kernaghan]]
| constituency1       = 
| party               = [[Ontario Liberal Party|Ontario Liberal]]
| birth_name          = Deborah Drake Matthews
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1953|11|02|mf=yes}}<ref>https://globalnews.ca/news/3789869/longtime-london-north-centre-mpp-deb-matthews-wont-seek-re-election/</ref>
| birth_place         = [[London, Ontario]], Canada
| residence           = [[London, Ontario]]
}}

'''Deborah Drake Matthews''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|ECO}} (born 1953) is a former Canadian politician who served as the 10th [[Deputy Premier of Ontario|deputy premier of Ontario]] from 2013 to 2018. A member of the [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal Party]], Matthews was the [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Canada)|member of Provincial Parliament]] (MPP) for [[London North Centre (provincial electoral district)|London North Centre]] from 2003 to 2018, and was a [[Executive Council of Ontario|cabinet minister]] from 2008 to 2018 in the governments of [[Dalton McGuinty]] and [[Kathleen Wynne]].

==Early life and education==
Her father is [[Donald Jeune Matthews]], former president of the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada]] from 1971 to 1974, and her sister is [[Shelley Peterson]], the wife of former Ontario Premier [[David Peterson]].<ref>[http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/1484673-best-selling-author-actress-shelley-peterson-visits-library-aug-16/ "Best-selling author, actress Shelley Peterson visits library Aug. 16"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924073955/http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/1484673-best-selling-author-actress-shelley-peterson-visits-library-aug-16/ |date=September 24, 2015 }}. ''[[Metroland Media Group|Orangeville Banner]]'', August 9, 2010.</ref>

She graduated from St. George's Public School and [[A.B. Lucas Secondary School]]. She studied at the [[University of Western Ontario]] where she earned a PhD in [[social demography]]. Her doctoral dissertation was entitled the "Consequences of immigrant concentration in Canada, 2001–2051."<ref>{{cite web |title=Can Immigration Compensate for Below-Replacement Fertility?: The Consequences of the Unbalanced Settlement of Immigrants in Canadian Cities, 2001–2051 |url=http://www.debmatthews.ca/pdf/PhD_Thesis.pdf |author=Deborah Drake Matthews |publisher=Faculty of Graduate Studies, The University of Western Ontario |location=London, Ontario |year=2006 |access-date=January 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706175039/http://www.debmatthews.ca/pdf/PhD_Thesis.pdf |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Political career==
=== 2003 election ===
In the [[2003 Ontario general election|2003 election]], Matthews defeated [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] cabinet minister [[Dianne Cunningham]] by almost 7,000 votes.<ref name="2003 results">{{cite web |url=http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=london+north+centre&flag=E&layout=G |title=Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 2, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330083320/http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=london+north+centre&flag=E&layout=G |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

=== 2007 election and in cabinet ===
Matthews was re-elected in the [[2007 Ontario general election|2007 election]].<ref name="2007 results">{{cite web |url=http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/AB409CCD-84F3-46FA-B3BD-39AB659EFC2D/0/SummaryofValidBallotsCastforEachCandidate.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007160233/http://www.elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/AB409CCD-84F3-46FA-B3BD-39AB659EFC2D/0/SummaryofValidBallotsCastforEachCandidate.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 7, 2009 |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 10, 2007 |page=8 (xvii) |df=mdy-all }}</ref> She was appointed as the minister of children and youth services and minister responsible for women's issues after the election.<ref name="McGuinty2007Cab">{{cite news |title=Premier goes for new blood; Expanded 28-member cabinet has eight ministers from Toronto, three from 905 area |last1=Ferguson |first1=Rob |last2=Benzie |first2=Robert |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=October 31, 2007 |page=A13}}</ref> On December 4, 2008, Matthews introduced Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy as chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction. The long-term reduction plan set a target to reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years

=== 2011 election ===
Matthews was re-elected in the [[2011 Ontario general election|2011 election]],<ref name="2011 results">{{cite web|url=http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7849B894-4C4F-490E-9E8C-271BCF0C0D4D/5712/SummaryofvalidvotescastforeacndGE2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330163815/http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7849B894-4C4F-490E-9E8C-271BCF0C0D4D/5712/SummaryofvalidvotescastforeacndGE2011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 6, 2011 |page=9 }}</ref> and was re-appointed as health minister on October 20, 2011.<ref name="McGuinty2011Cab">{{cite news |title=Ontario's new cabinet |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=October 21, 2011 |page=A18}}</ref> In 2012, Matthews came under pressure because of revelations at [[Ornge]], Ontario's air ambulance service. Members of the opposition Progressive Conservative and [[Ontario New Democratic Party|New Democratic]] parties called for her to resign. In response to the revelations at Ornge, Matthews announced an [[Ontario Provincial Police]] (OPP) investigation.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Donovan |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1132875 |title=ORNGE will be probed by OPP detectives |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=February 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Tanya |last1=Talaga |first2=Kevin |last2=Donovan|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1134788 |title=Deb Matthews won't resign over ORNGE scandal |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=February 21, 2012}}</ref>

=== 2014 election ===
Following her re-election in 2014,<ref name="2014 results">{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.on.ca/content/dam/NGW/sitecontent/2014/historical-results/2014/Valid%20Votes%20Cast%20for%20Each%20Candidate%20-%202014%20General%20Election.pdf |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=June 12, 2014 |page=6 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Matthews was shuffled from health to a revamped role as [[President of the Treasury Board (Ontario)|president of the Treasury Board]].<ref name="2014WynneCab">{{cite news |title=Kathleen Wynne warns financial cupboard is bare |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/06/24/ontario_premier_kathleen_wynnes_new_cabinet_unveiled.html |author1=Richard Brennan |author2=Robert Benzie |author3=Rob Ferguson |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=June 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Job of finance minister split as Wynne gets set for cabinet shuffle |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/matthews-hoskins-get-big-new-roles-in-ontario-cabinet-shuffle/article19301790/ |author=Adrian Morrows |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=June 23, 2014}}</ref> On June 13, 2016, she retained her position as deputy premier and was also appointed as [[Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development|minister of advanced education and skills development]]. She was additionally responsible for digital government. Matthews left cabinet on January 17, 2018, having declined re-election in the 2018 election.<ref name="2016WynneCab">{{cite news |title=Kathleen Wynne's shuffled cabinet features 40% women |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-cabinet-changes-1.3632476 |publisher=CBC News |date=June 13, 2016}}</ref>

===Cabinet positions===
{{s-start}}
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Kathleen_Wynne}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post3preceded = [[Reza Moridi]]<br /><ref group=note>Was known as Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.</ref>
| post3         = [[Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (Ontario)|Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development]]
| post3years    = 2016-2018
| post3note     = Also Responsible for Digital Government
| post3followed = [[Mitzie Hunter]]
| post2preceded = [[Jim Bradley (politician)|Jim Bradley]]
| post2         = [[Chair of Cabinet (Ontario)|Chair of Cabinet]]
| post2years    = 2016-2018
| post2followed = [[Helena Jaczek]]
| post1preceded = [[Dwight Duncan]]
| post1         = [[Deputy Premier of Ontario]]
| post1years    = 2013-2018
| post1note     = <ref group=note>From 2014 to 2016 she was President of the Treasury Board and also Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy.</ref>
| post1followed = Vacant
}}
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Dalton_McGuinty}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post2preceded = [[David Caplan]]
| post2         = [[Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario)|Minister of Health and Long-Term Care]]
| post2years    = 2009–2014
| post2note     =
| post2followed = [[Eric Hoskins]]

| post1preceded = [[Mary Anne Chambers]]
| post1         = [[Ministry of Children and Youth Services (Ontario)|Minister of Children and Youth Services]]
| post1years    = 2007–2009
| post1note     = Also Responsible for Women's Issues
| post1followed = [[Laurel Broten]]
}}
{{s-end}}

== Electoral record ==
{{Election box begin | title=[[2014 Ontario general election]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graphics & Charts |url=https://results.elections.on.ca/en/graphics-charts |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=results.elections.on.ca }}</ref><ref name=EOLN>{{Cite web|url=https://results.elections.on.ca/en/data-explorer?fromYear=1867&toYear=2019&edIds=1_44&levelOfDetail=candidate|title=EFRS}}</ref>}}
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Deb Matthews|16,379|35.98%|-7.93%}}
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Judy Bryant|13,853|30.43%|+7.72%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|Nancy Branscombe|12,016|26.40%|-2.53%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Green |Kevin Labonte |2,445 |5.37% |+2.05%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Freedom |Salim Mansur |639 |1.40% |+0.78%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Communist |Dave McKee |115 |0.25% |&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|ON|Pauper |Michael Spottiswood |70 |0.15% |+0.03%}}
{{end}}
{{Election box begin | title=[[2011 Ontario general election]]<ref name=EOLN />}}
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Deb Matthews|19,167|43.91%|-3.26%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|Nancy Branscombe|12,628|28.93%|+5.21%}}
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Steve Holmes|9,914|22.71%|+6.06%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Green |Kevin Labonte |1,451 |3.32% |-9.13%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Freedom |Mary Lou Ambrogio |269 |0.62% |&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|ON|Libertarian |Jordan Vanklinken |169 |0.39% |&ndash;}}
{{CANelec|ON|Pauper |Michael Spottiswood |54 |0.12% |&ndash;}}
{{end}}
{{Election box begin | title=[[2007 Ontario general election]]<ref name=EOLN />}}
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Deb Matthews|21,669|47.17%|+3.74%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|Rob Alder|10,897|23.72%|-5.20%}}
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Steve Holmes|7,649|16.65%|-7.88%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Green |Brett McKenzie |5,720 |12.45% |+10.77%}}
{{end}}
{{Election box begin | title=[[2003 Ontario general election]]<ref name=EOLN03>{{Cite web|url=https://results.elections.on.ca/en/data-explorer?fromYear=2003&toYear=2003&edIds=-20_42&levelOfDetail=candidate|title=EFRS|website=results.elections.on.ca}}</ref>}}
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Deb Matthews|20,212|43.43%| +22.54%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|[[Dianne Cunningham]]|13,460|28.92%| -11.29%}}
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Rebecca Coulter|11,414|24.53%| -11.93%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Green |[[Bronagh Joyce Morgan]] |780 |1.68% |+0.88%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Family Coalition|Craig Smith|432|0.93%| -0.09%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Freedom|[[Lisa Turner]]|242|0.52%| +0.18%}}
{{end}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=note}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Ontario MPP biography|id=deborah-matthews}}

{{Wynne Ministry}}
{{McGuinty Ministry}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Matthews, Deb}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian women politicians]]
[[Category:Deputy premiers of Ontario]]
[[Category:Ministers of health of Ontario]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council of Ontario]]
[[Category:Ontario Liberal Party MPPs]]
[[Category:Politicians from London, Ontario]]
[[Category:University of Western Ontario alumni]]
[[Category:Women government ministers of Canada]]
[[Category:Women MPPs in Ontario]]