View source for Sandra Pupatello

{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{cleanup reorganize|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| name                = Sandra Pupatello
| honorific-suffix = [[Executive Council of Ontario|ECO]]
| image               = Sandra Pupatello at the Toronto Board of Trade - 2013 (8393666736) (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Pupatello at the [[Toronto Region Board of Trade]] in 2013
| office1             = [[Senate of Canada|Canadian Senator]]<br/>from [[Ontario]]
| term_start1         = March 7, 2025
| term_end1           = 
| nominator1          = [[Justin Trudeau]]
| appointed1          = [[Mary Simon]]
| office2             = Chair of [[Hydro One]]
| term_start2         = April 1, 2014
| term_end2           = April 16, 2015
| predecessor2        = James Arnett
| successor2          = [[David Denison (Hydro One)|David Denison]]
| riding3             = [[Windsor West (provincial electoral district)|Windsor West]]<br />{{small|([[Windsor—Sandwich]]; 1995–1999)}}
| parliament3         = Ontario Provincial
| term_start3         = September 26, 1995
| term_end3           = September 7, 2011
| predecessor3        = [[George Dadamo]]
| successor3          = [[Teresa Piruzza]]
| party               = [[Ontario Liberal Party]]
| otherparty          = [[Canadian Senators Group]] (May—September 2025)
| birth_name          = Sandra Pizzolitto
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1962|10|06}}
| birth_place         = [[Windsor, Ontario]], Canada
| spouse              = [[Jim Bennett (politician)|Jim Bennett]]
| children            = 
| residence           = Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| alma_mater          = [[University of Windsor]]
| occupation          = 
}}

'''Sandra Pupatello''' (née '''Pizzolitto'''; born October 6, 1962) is a Canadian politician. She was a member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 1995 to 2011 as a member of the [[Ontario Liberal Party]], and served as a cabinet minister in the government of [[Dalton McGuinty]]. Since 2025, she is a member of the [[Senate of Canada]]. In September 2025, she was appointed chair of the Government Representative's Office in the Senate.

Pupatello ran for the [[2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election|leadership of the Liberal Party of Ontario in 2013]]; she placed second to [[Kathleen Wynne]]. She unsuccessfully ran for the [[Liberal Party of Canada|federal Liberal Party]] in the [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019]] and [[2021 Canadian federal election|2021 elections]]. Pupatello served as chair of [[Hydro One]] from 2014 to 2015.

Pupatello is married to [[Jim Bennett (politician)|Jim Bennett]], a former leader of the [[Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party]].

==Early life and career==
Pupatello was born Sandra Pizzolitto in [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]], Ontario. She became politically active by campaigning for [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[Herb Gray]] in the 1970s.<ref>Carolyn Abraham, "Not just the sexiest woman in the legislature", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 17 March 1997, B6. Pupatello's last name before marriage was Pizzolitto.</ref> She holds a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from the [[University of Windsor]] (1986).<ref>Gord Henderson, "If you want to get ahead, do nothing", ''Windsor Star'', 14 February 1987, A7.</ref> She remained in the city after her graduation, serving as general manager of the city's [[Rotary Club]] and executive director of the Essex County Kidney Foundation of Canada.<ref>"Rotary club names Rudman to top post", ''Windsor Star'', 14 February 1996, A3.</ref> She was also a board member of the Windsor Regional Hospital and Windsor Regional Children's Centre and was president of the Fogolar Furlan Club. Pupatello was named "[[Italians|Italian]] of the Year" for Windsor-Essex County in 1996,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.windsor-communities.com/italian-award.php#null |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531172240/http://www.windsor-communities.com/italian-award.php |archive-date=2006-05-31 |title=Italian of the Year Award}}</ref> received the Charlie Clark Award for Outstanding Service from the University of Windsor in 2001, and was named "Windsor Woman of the Year" in 2003.<ref>[http://www.sandrapupatello.com/ Sandra Pupatello, official biographical sketch.]</ref>

==Early political career==
Pupatello was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the [[1995 Ontario general election|1995 provincial election]], defeating [[Ontario New Democratic Party|New Democratic Party]] candidate Arlene Rousseau by 5,526 votes in [[Windsor—Sandwich]]. The seat had previously been held by New Democrat [[George Dadamo]], who did not seek re-election. The [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative Party]] won a [[majority government]] in the election, and Pupatello entered the legislature as an opposition [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|Member of Provincial Parliament]] (MPP). During her first term, she served as Official Opposition Critic for Community and Social Services, Children's Issues, Youth Issues, and the Management Board of Cabinet.

Pupatello was co-manager of [[Dwight Duncan]]'s 1996 campaign to lead the Ontario Liberal Party.<ref>Richard Brennan, "It's official: Duncan wants Grit top job", ''Windsor Star'', 25 June 1996, A1.</ref> Like Duncan, she supported [[Gerard Kennedy]] on the final ballot.<ref>Jim Coyle, "Hapless Grit leadership hopeful taped his own demise", ''Ottawa Citizen'', 6 December 1996, A17.</ref>

Pupatello was re-elected by a landslide in the [[1999 Ontario general election|1999 provincial election]] for the redistributed constituency of [[Windsor West (federal electoral district)|Windsor West]], while the Progressive Conservatives were re-elected to a second consecutive majority government. Pupatello remained a member of the opposition frontbench, serving over the next four years as Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Official Opposition Critic for Health and Long-Term Care.

She was a vocal critic of the [[Mike Harris]] and [[Ernie Eves]] governments, frequently criticizing cutbacks to child care and other programs.<ref>Laurie Monsebraaten, "Day-care cuts called an attack on children", ''Toronto Star'', 21 July 1995, A6.</ref> In 1997, she introduced a Private Member's Resolution intended to stop cutbacks to hospital funding.<ref>William Walker, "6 Tories vote for resolution to curb hospital closings", ''Toronto Star'', 28 February 1997, A2.</ref> She later criticized the Progressive Conservative government's plans to introduce a private MRI clinic, arguing that it posed a long-term threat to public health care.<ref>Colin Perkel, "Ontario plan to allow publicly funded private MRI clinics assailed by critics", ''The Canadian Press'', 8 July 2002, 14:38 report.</ref>

==Provincial cabinet minister==
[[File:Pupatello and Tory.jpg|thumb|Pupatello with former [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario]] leader [[John Tory]].]]
The Liberal Party won a majority government in the [[2003 Ontario general election|2003 provincial election]], and Pupatello was again re-elected in Windsor West with a significant majority. On October 23, 2003, she was appointed to cabinet as [[Ministry of Community and Social Services (Ontario)|Minister of Community and Social Services]] with responsibility for [[Minister responsible for Women's Issues (Ontario)|Women's Issues]]. There was some speculation that she would be appointed [[Deputy Premier of Ontario|Deputy Premier]] as well, but this position was instead left vacant until [[George Smitherman]]'s appointment in 2006.<ref>Adam Radwanski, "Few veterans, more untrieds", ''National Post'', 22 October 2003, A13.</ref> Pupatello was spoken of as a possible candidate for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party when Dalton McGuinty was to retire in 2006.<ref>Robert Benzie and Rob Ferguson, "Successors to premier already eyeing job", ''Toronto Star'', 4 October 2006, A7.</ref>

===Minister of Community and Social Services===
Pupatello's most important responsibility in the Community and Social Services portfolio was overseeing Ontario's welfare and disability assistance system. Shortly after taking office, she announced that her government would remove a lifetime ban on welfare recipients who are caught cheating on their applications. Pupatello described the rule as counterproductive, in that many welfare officials were reluctant to bring forward charges out of concern for the extreme punitive consequences.<ref>Colin Perkel, "Liberal government scraps lifetime ban for cheating welfare recipients", ''Canadian Press'', 9 January 2004, 15:54 report.</ref> She also announced that her government would take greater steps to find parents who are delinquent with child support payments.<ref>Rita Trichur, "Ontario government announces new crackdown on deadbeat parents", ''Canadian Press'', 7 February 2004, 17:05 report.</ref>

In March 2004, Pupatello announced $2 million to assist low-income Ontarians with increased hydro bills.<ref>Keith Leslie, "Liberals promise millions to help low-income renters, hydro users", ''Canadian Press'', 28 March 2004, 16:30 report.</ref> In June, she announced $10 million to help Ontarians with physical disabilities modify their houses and cars.<ref>Gillian Livingston, "Ontario to spend $10M more to help those with disabilities modify home, car", ''Canadian Press'', 23 June 2004, 14:29 report.</ref>

Pupatello introduced a 3% social assistance rate increase in 2004, the first such increase after twelve years of freezes. Mechanical difficulties with computers purchased by the [[Mike Harris]] government subsequently delayed its implementation, and the province implemented lump-sum payments instead.<ref>''Canadian Press'', "Computer problems delay hike for Ontario's disabled and welfare recipients", 6 July 2004, 01:38 report.</ref> Later in 2004, Pupatello announced that her government would eliminate a rule requiring welfare recipients to liquidate their education savings plans. Speaking to the media, Pupatello described the requirement as "a dumb rule that works at cross-purposes to what welfare is supposed to be doing for people and their families".<ref>Richard Brennan, "Education plans safe under welfare change", ''Toronto Star'', 7 October 2004, A08.</ref> In 2005, she announced the creation of the ''JobsNow'' program to help welfare recipients enter the workforce.<ref>"Ontario launches project to help people leave welfare", ''Guelph Mercury'', 21 April 2005, A7.</ref>

In January 2005, Pupatello was appointed to chair an ad hoc cabinet committee on the modernization of government.<ref>Ian Urquhart, "Liberal 'mod squad' aims to reinvent government", ''Toronto Star'', 19 January 2005, A21.</ref>

Pupatello spearheaded passage of the ''[[Adoption Information Disclosure Act]]'' in 2005, allowing birth records to be released to [[adoption|adoptees]]. Ontario Privacy Commissioner [[Ann Cavoukian]] was a critic of the bill, arguing that it was not sufficiently respectful of the promises of anonymity made to birth parents at the time of adoption.<ref>"New adoption bill threatens privacy", ''Toronto Star'', 27 October 2005, A24.</ref> Pupatello argued that the bill was necessary to provide adoptees with information about their personal history, and has noted that it provides safeguards for instances where safety issues are a concern.<ref>Sandra Pupatello, "Why Ontario's adoption law had to be changed", ''Toronto Star'', 7 November 2005, A17.</ref>

In November 2005, the Ministry of Community and Social Services, under Pupatello's leadership, rolled out a series of amendments to the special diet allowance, a program which provides additional funding of up to $250 per month for social assistance recipients to cover the increased costs of certain medically related diets. Groups such as the [[Ontario Coalition Against Poverty]] had previously encouraged recipients to apply for the benefit and there had been a significant increase in the number of requests. Pupatello argued that there was a loophole in the program, it was being exploited by activist groups and that the resulting drain on the system needed to be corrected. Several anti-poverty groups criticized the decision.<ref>Jake Rupert, "Ontario plan threatens health of poor people, officials say", ''Ottawa Citizen'', 4 April 2006, D7.</ref> In February 2008, the Ontario Human Rights Commission referred a group of complaints to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, asserting that the 2005 amendments violated the Ontario Human Rights Code.<ref>[http://www.canlii.org/eliisa/highlight.do?language=en&searchTitle=Ontario+-+Human+Rights+Tribunal+of+Ontario&path=/en/on/onhrt/doc/2008/2008hrto19/2008hrto19.html/ Ball v. Ontario (Community and Social Services), 2008 HRTO 19 (CanLII)]</ref> The Tribunal hearings are scheduled to take place in 2009.

Pupatello announced in January 2006 that her department would close Ontario's three remaining government-operated institutions for mentally disabled adults, and assist the occupants with moving into more integrated community facilities. She noted that a "sea change in attitude" had occurred over institutionalization practices since the buildings were first established and that greater integration was now the preferred approach. Previous ministers, including [[John Baird (Ontario politician)|John Baird]], had also called for the buildings to close. Critics argued that the plan could put the patients at risk.<ref>"Integration puts developmentally disabled at risk: critics", ''Ottawa Citizen'', 19 May 2005, C5; Steve Erwin, "Ont. to close last government homes for adults with developmental disabilities", ''Canadian Press'', 26 January 2006, 18:14 report.</ref>

In March 2006, the McGuinty government was criticized for a backlog in approving provincial disability allowances. Pupatello described the backlog as "totally unacceptable", and announced that her ministry would work to correct it.<ref>Kerry Gillespie, "Province 'to fix' disability backlog", ''Toronto Star'', 16 March 2006, A1.</ref>

Social assistance rates were raised again by 2% in 2006. Pupatello also introduced policy to allow further money to be 'flowed through' from the federal government's National Child Benefit Supplement in each year since 2003.<ref>Gillian Livingston, "Welfare, disability rates up 2 per cent", ''Canadian Press'', 23 March 2006, 18:13 report.</ref> She was unable to implement a planned removal of the federal tax credit clawback and argued that the deficit inherited from the previous government made this change unviable before 2007.<ref>"Minister admits failure to keep clawback promise", ''Guelph Mercury'', 3 March 2006, A5.</ref>

===Minister of Education===
Pupatello was promoted to [[Minister of Education (Ontario)|Minister of Education]] on April 5, 2006, after [[Gerard Kennedy]] resigned to run for the federal Liberal leadership. The following month, she announced that her government would give $3 million to the Kids Help Phone service to set up a 24-hour anti-bullying hotline.<ref>Tess Kalinowski, "$3M grant for help line to fight bullying", ''Toronto Star'', 17 May 2006, A20.</ref> She also pledged more than $1 million to provide young students with swimming and water survival lessons, in the aftermath of a series of drowning deaths in the [[Guelph]] area the previous year.<ref>Greg Mercer, "Swim lessons program on steep learning curve", ''Guelph Mercury'', 18 May 2006, A1.</ref>

In late May 2006, Pupatello introduced a strategic high school transition plan intended to reduce Ontario's high-school dropout rate.<ref>"Ontario plan aims to cut dropout rate", ''Kitchener-Waterloo Record'', 31 May 2006, A14.</ref> The following month, she introduced a $50 million plan for teacher training and reduced wait times for special needs programs.<ref>Kerry Gillespie, "Special-ed system gets $50 million infusion", ''Toronto Star'', 9 June 2006, A15.</ref> She also worked toward solving the vexing issue of the teacher funding formula, a problem that the Liberals inherited from the previous government.<ref>Ian Urquhart, "Schools still battle with cash shortfalls", ''Toronto Star'', 19 June 2006, A17.</ref>

Pupatello also announced a comprehensive plan for changes at [[TV Ontario]], including a greater focus on educational programming and more money for equipment upgrades. The popular [[Studio 2]] program was cancelled, and replaced by a nightly current affairs show called ''The Agenda''. Some opposition politicians charged political interference in the latter decision, but this was denied by both Pupatello and Studio 2 host [[Steve Paikin]].<ref>Karen Howlett, "TVO to get $25-million makeover", ''Globe and Mail'', 29 June 2006, A1; "Liberals didn't interfere with Studio 2, Education Minister Pupatello says", ''Guelph Mercury'', 30 June 2006, B6.</ref>

During the summer of 2006, Pupatello criticized a number of Ontario school boards for failing to balance their books. She appointed a financial adviser to the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, which was experiencing difficulties balancing its budget.<ref>Tess Kalinowski, "Peel board wary of adviser", ''Toronto Star'', 21 July 2006, B4.</ref> Pupatello also targeted administrative costs in the Toronto District School Board, arguing that the board had the means to balance its books without program cuts.<ref>April Lindgren, "Province goes after school admin costs: 51 boards over budget", ''National Post'', 16 August 2006, A8; Daniel Girard and Tess Kalinowski, "Set school budget without drastic cuts: Pupatello", ''Toronto Star'', 24 August 2006, A13.</ref> In late August, she appointed two provincial representatives to review the TDSB books.<ref>James Rusk, "Province appoints two to go over TDSB books", ''Globe and Mail'', 26 August 2006, A12.</ref>

During a September 2006 by-election [[Parkdale—High Park (federal electoral district)|Parkdale—High Park]], Pupatello engaged in a controversial negative campaign on behalf of Liberal candidate [[Sylvia Watson]]. She accused New Democratic Party candidate Rev. [[Cheri DiNovo]] of comparing Canada's media coverage of serial killer [[Karla Homolka]] to the persecution of [[Jesus Christ]], and suggested that DiNovo was unfit to run for parliament.<ref>Clint Thomas, "Tight byelection race anticipated as Liberals blitz Toronto riding", ''Canadian Press'', 11 September 2006, 20:08 report; Karen Howlett, "Liberals step up attack in messy by-election", ''Globe and Mail'', 13 September 2006, A10.</ref> Many argued that Pupatello took DiNovo's words completely out of context, and opposition politicians accused the Liberals of conducting a smear campaign.<ref>Keith Leslie, "Liberals accused of 'sleaze' in byelection", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 13 September 2002, A12.</ref> The effort backfired, and DiNovo was elected by a significant margin. Pupatello has defended her role in the campaign, saying "If I was presented once again with apparently what is factual and has yet to be refuted and that is sermons that were posted on the world wide web ... I would have exactly the same opinion as I do today".<ref>"Pupatello welcomes trade job", ''Windsor Star'', 19 September 2006, A1.</ref>

===Minister of Economic Development and Trade===
Pupatello was reassigned as [[Minister of Economic Development and Trade (Ontario)|Minister of Economic Development and Trade]] on September 18, 2006, following the resignation of [[Joe Cordiano]]. This was generally interpreted as a demotion, although at least one columnist has suggested that holding an economic portfolio could help Pupatello's long-term political ambitions.<ref>Lee Greenberg, "McGuinty demotes minister known for byelection row", ''National Post'', 19 September 2006, A9; Ian Urquhart, "Cordiano set cabinet dominoes in motion", ''Toronto Star'', 19 September 2006, A21.</ref>

Pupatello led provincial trade delegations to [[Alberta]] in late 2006 and early 2007, promoting Ontario's business sector to the western province's booming economy.<ref>Murray Campbell, "Off to Alberta, to find streets paved in gold", ''Globe and Mail'', 16 November 2006, A11; Geoffrey Scotton, "Ontario pitches manufacturing links", ''Calgary Herald'', 13 February 2007, D3; Geoffrey Scotton, "Ontario 'high on' western integration", ''Calgary Herald'', 14 February 2007, E3.</ref><ref>"Minister Pupatello To Lead Strong Ontario Delegation To Alberta Oil Sands Supply Chain Event" [press release], ''Canada NewsWire'', 9 March 2007, 13:25.</ref> She also took part in a trade mission to [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] in January 2007,<ref>"Premier McGuinty to Indian Government Leaders: Let's Work Together" [press release], ''Canada NewsWire'', 16 January 2007, 08:18.</ref><ref>"Ontario wraps up business mission to Pakistan" [press release], ''Canada NewsWire'', 25 January 2007, 12:21; "Canadian team briefed on investment opportunities", ''Business Recorder'', 27 January 2007.</ref> and went on a four-day trade mission to [[Japan]] in April of the same year. Her department has also set up a growing number of marketing centres around the world.<ref>"Ontario is trying to sell itself to the world by setting up a growing number of marketing centres around the world", ''Broadcast News'', 2 April 2007, 11:04.</ref>

===Minister Responsible for Women's Issues===
In late 2005, Pupatello introduced a program to assist provincial emergency workers in identifying cases of domestic abuse.<ref>Unnati Gandhi, "Front-line emergency workers to be trained to spot signs of abuse", ''Globe and Mail'', 2 December 2005, A16.</ref> She has also introduced several initiatives to assist women from low-income backgrounds in entering the job market.<ref>See for instance "Ontario Government Helping Women Get Better Jobs" [Media Release], ''Canada NewsWire'', 24 March 2005, 11:46 report; "McGuinty Government Helps Abused And At-Risk Women Get Jobs" [Media Release], ''Canada NewsWire'', 20 November 2006, 07:41 report.</ref> She introduced "EqualityRules.ca" in November 2006, to encourage equal relationships between young boys and girls.<ref>"McGuinty Government Launches Public Education Campaign to Encourage Healthy, Equal Relationships Between Boys and Girls" [Media Release], ''Canada NewsWire'', 16 November 2006, 05:33.</ref> In the same month, she announced $2.1 million for interpreter services for victims of domestic violence.<ref>"Province boosts interpreter funding for assault victims", ''Kitchener-Waterloo Record'', 25 November 2006, A4.</ref>

===Minister of International Trade and Investment===
In September 2008, she was appointed the province's Minister of International Trade and Development, which was created with the mandate of attracting new investment in Ontario.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leslie |first=Keith |date=September 20, 2008 |title=McGuinty shuffles cabinet to tackle economic trouble |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star-mcguinty-shuffles-cabinet/140990796/ |work=[[The Sault Star]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]] |location=Toronto, Ontario |page=B7 |access-date=February 15, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

===Minister of Economic Development and Trade===
In June 2009, she was appointed the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, a new ministry that combined three previous ministries: Small Business, International Trade and Investment and Economic Development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/team/biography.asp?MPPID=65&Lang=EN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061219045048/http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/team/biography.asp?MPPID=65&Lang=EN |archive-date=2006-12-19 |title=Premier of Ontario - Biography of Sandra Pupatello}}</ref>

In June 2011, she announced that she would not seek re-election in the [[2011 Ontario general election|October 2011 general election]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Robert Benzie and Rob Ferguson|title=Liberals suffer blow as Sandra Pupatello quits politics|date=June 10, 2011|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1006173--liberals-lose-a-star-sandra-pupatello-won-t-seek-re-election?bn=1/|publisher=Toronto Star|access-date=May 6, 2025|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024095844/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1006173--liberals-lose-a-star-sandra-pupatello-won-t-seek-re-election?bn=1/|archivedate=October 24, 2012}}</ref>

== Post-politics ==
Following her retirement from politics, she took a position as director of business and global markets at [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]].<ref name=":0" />

In May 2013, Pupatello was named CEO of the municipally owned Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation and occupied that position in addition to her old position at PricewaterhouseCoopers.<ref name="thestar.com">{{cite news |date=May 14, 2013 |title=Sandra Pupatello named CEO of WindsorEssex Economic Development Corp. |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/05/14/sandra_pupatello_named_ceo_of_windsoressex_economic_development_corp.html |access-date=May 16, 2013 |newspaper=Toronto Star}}</ref> She resigned in July 2015, despite having two years left in her contract,<ref name="weedc">{{cite news|title=Sandra Pupatello leaving Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corp|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/sandra-pupatello-leaving-windsor-essex-economic-development-corp-1.3140225|access-date=July 11, 2015|work=CBC News|date=July 6, 2015}}</ref> after months of criticism from some Windsor city councillors who grilled Pupatello over the WEEDC's failure to create jobs in the region.<ref>{{cite news|title=A stunning exit for Sandra Pupatello|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/community-newsroom/Anne+Jarvis+stunning+exit+Sandra+Pupatello/11195792/story.html|access-date=July 11, 2015|work=Edmonton Journal (originally published in Windsor Star)|date=July 9, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722113140/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/community-newsroom/Anne+Jarvis+stunning+exit+Sandra+Pupatello/11195792/story.html|archive-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref>

The provincial government appointed Pupatello to the board of [[Hydro One]], the province's largest electricity company, in November 2013 and subsequently appointed her chair effective April 2014.<ref name="ho">{{cite news|title=Sandra Pupatello to chair Hydro One amid billing fiasco|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/03/07/former_nb_premier_bernard_lord_named_opg_chair.html|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=March 7, 2014}}</ref> She was succeeded as chair by [[David F. Denison]] on April 16, 2015, but remained on the Hydro One board of directors.<ref name="Windsor Star">{{cite news |date=April 16, 2015 |title=Sandra Pupatello out as chair of Hydro One |url=https://windsorstar.com/uncategorized/sandra-pupatello-out-as-chair-of-hydro-one |access-date=April 11, 2021 |newspaper=Windsor Star}}</ref>

=== 2013 Ontario Liberal leadership bid ===
On November 8, 2012, Pupatello announced that she would seek the [[2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election|leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1284680--sandra-pupatello-quits-bay-st-job-to-seek-ontario-liberal-leadership | title=Sandra Pupatello Quits Bay Street Job | publisher=Toronto Star | access-date=May 6, 2025 | date=8 November 2012 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110034133/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1284680--sandra-pupatello-quits-bay-st-job-to-seek-ontario-liberal-leadership | archivedate=November 10, 2012}}</ref> She was widely seen as the frontrunner in the race, going into the convention with approximately 27% of voting delegates and over a quarter of ex-officio delegates, as well as endorsements from both ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' and the ''[[Toronto Star]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=Dalson |date=January 23, 2013 |title=Pupatello poised to make history at Ontario Liberal leadership convention |url=https://windsorstar.com/news/pupatello-poised-to-make-history-at-ontario-liberal-leadership-convention |access-date=June 6, 2025 |work=Windsor Star}}</ref> On the day of the convention, Pupatello led on the first two ballots, but lost to [[Kathleen Wynne]] on the third and final ballot.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=Dalson |date=January 26, 2025 |title=Pupatello gracious in defeat as Wynne takes Ontario Liberal leadership |url=https://windsorstar.com/news/pupatello-gracious-defeat |access-date=June 6, 2025 |work=Windsor Star}}</ref> Wynne subsequently asked her to become [[Ministry of Finance (Ontario)|minister of finance]] in her first cabinet; Pupatello declined in favour of returning to the private sector.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/sandra-pupatello-leaving-politics-for-sure-1.1359210 | title=Sandra Pupatello leaving politics 'for sure' | publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | access-date=2 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kathleen Wynne picks Charles Sousa as finance minister after Sandra Pupatello declines|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/02/10/wynne_makes_charles_sousa_finance_minister_in_cabinet_shuffle.html|access-date=February 11, 2013|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=February 10, 2013}}</ref>

==Federal politics==
Pupatello supported [[Paul Martin]]'s bid to succeed [[Jean Chrétien]] as leader of the [[Liberal Party of Canada]].<ref>Ian Urquhart, "Turmoil could hurt McGuinty Liberals", ''Toronto Star'', 5 June 2002, A27.</ref> She also supported [[Michael Ignatieff]]'s bid for the party leadership [[2006 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election|in 2006]].<ref>"Is Kennedy's glass half full, or half empty?", 30 September 2006, ''Toronto Star'', F5.</ref>

In 2015, there was speculation that she may run for the federal Liberals in [[Windsor West (federal electoral district)|Windsor West]] in the [[2015 Canadian federal election|October 2015 federal election]] and attempt to unseat [[New Democratic Party]] (NDP) incumbent [[Brian Masse]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Will Sandra Pupatello run federally in Windsor West?|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/will-sandra-pupatello-run-federally-in-windsor-west-1.3142349|access-date=July 11, 2015|work=CBC News|date=July 7, 2015}}</ref> but that didn't eventuate.

Pupatello announced in August 2019 that she was seeking the federal Liberal nomination in [[Windsor West (federal electoral district)|Windsor West]] in the [[2019 Canadian federal election]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/pupatello-liberal-leadership-1.5247771| title = Pupatello to announce return to politics {{!}} CBC News}}</ref> She won the nomination and faced incumbent New Democratic Party MP Brian Masse in the general election, placing second.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/windsor/article/we-wont-let-you-down-ndp-brian-masse-gives-victory-speech-in-windsor-west/|title='We won't let you down': NDP Brian Masse gives victory speech in Windsor West|date=October 21, 2019|last1=Maluske|first1=Michelle|last2=Borrelli|first2=Melanie|website=CTV News Windsor|access-date=May 6, 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022205449/https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/we-won-t-let-you-down-ndp-brian-masse-gives-victory-speech-in-windsor-west-1.4648841|archive-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://windsorstar.com/news/national/election-2019/masse-hangs-on-in-windsor-west-after-hard-fought-battle-with-pupatello|title=Masse hangs on in Windsor West after hard-fought battle with Pupatello|date=October 21, 2019|last1=Cross|first1=Brian|last2=Waddell|first2=Dave|website=Windsor Star|access-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> In July 2021, Pupatello announced her intention to stand for the second time as the Liberal candidate for Windsor West in the [[2021 Canadian federal election]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Revait |first=Maureen |date=July 23, 2021 |title=Pupatello running for the Liberals in the next election |url=https://windsornewstoday.ca/news/2021/07/23/pupatello-running-liberals-next-election |work=Windsor News Today |location=Windsor, Ontario |access-date=February 15, 2024}}</ref> She again placed second behind Masse, who expanded his margin of victory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canada election results: Windsor West  {{!}} Globalnews.ca |website=[[Global News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429154713/https://globalnews.ca/news/7941198/canada-election-windsor-west-2021/ |archive-date=2023-04-29 |url-status=live |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7941198/canada-election-windsor-west-2021/}}</ref>

On March 7, 2025, she was appointed to the [[Senate of Canada]] on the advice of Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=Dalson |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Former Windsor MPP Sandra Pupatello named Canadian senator |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/sandra-pupatello-canada-senator-ontario-1.7478244 |access-date=May 21, 2025 |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Holmes-Hill |first=Millar |date=March 7, 2025 |title='Big, big deal' — Windsor's Sandra Pupatello appointed to Canada's Senate |url=https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/a-big-big-deal-windsors-sandra-pupatello-appointed-to-canadian-senate |access-date=May 21, 2025 |work=Windsor Star}}</ref> On May 20, 2025, she joined the [[Canadian Senators Group]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2025 |title=CSG welcomes Senator Sandra Pupatello (Ontario) |url=https://csg.sencanada.ca/en/media/csg-welcomes-senator-sandra-pupatello-ontario/ |access-date=June 6, 2025 |website=Canadian Senators Group}}</ref> but left in September to sit as an independent when she was appointed chair of the Government Representative's Office in the Senate.<ref>{{cite news |title='Pivotal moment' — Windsor's Pupatello new chair of Canadian Senate office |url=https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/pivotal-moment-windsors-pupatello-new-head-of-canadian-senate-office |access-date=October 23, 2025 |work=Windsor Star |date=October 1, 2025}}</ref>

==Cabinet positions==
{{s-start}}
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Dalton_McGuinty}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post6preceded = [[Michael Bryant (politician)|Michael Bryant]]
| post6         = [[Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (Ontario)|Minister of Economic Development and Trade]]
| post6years    = 2009–2011
| post6note     = 
| post6followed = [[Brad Duguid]]
| post5preceded = Ministry created
| post5         = [[Ministry of International Trade and Investment (Ontario)|Minister of International Trade and Investment]]
| post5years    = 2008–2009
| post5note     = 
| post5followed = Ministry merged
| post4preceded = [[Joe Cordiano]]
| post4         = [[Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (Ontario)|Minister of Economic Development and Trade]]
| post4years    = 2006–2008
| post4note     = 
| post4followed = [[Michael Bryant (politician)|Michael Bryant]]
| post3preceded = [[Dianne Cunningham]]
| post3         = [[Minister responsible for Women's Issues (Ontario)|Minister Responsible for Women's Issues]]
| post3years    = 2003–2007
| post3note     = 
| post3followed = [[Deb Matthews]]
| post2preceded = [[Gerard Kennedy]]
| post2         = [[Minister of Education (Ontario)|Minister of Education]]
| post2years    = 2006
| post2note     = 
| post2followed = [[Kathleen Wynne]]
| post1preceded = [[Brenda Elliott]]<ref group="nb">Elliott's official title was "Minister of Community, Family and Children's Services". The department was restructured and renamed in 2003. Biographical information from both of these sites has been incorporated into this article.</ref>
| post1         = [[Minister of Community and Social Services (Ontario)|Minister of Community and Social Services]]
| post1years    = 2003–2006
| post1note     = 
| post1followed = [[Madeleine Meilleur]]
}}
{{s-end}}

==Electoral record==
===Federal===
{{2021 Canadian federal election/Windsor West}}
{{2019 Canadian federal election/Windsor West}}

===Provincial===
{{Canadian election result/top|ON|2007|percent=yes|change=yes}}
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|'''Sandra Pupatello'''|16,783|50.2%|-12.32%}}
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Mariano Klimowicz|8,560|25.6%|+4.62%}}
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|Lisa Lumley|5,668|17.0%|+5.1%}}
{{CANelec |ON |Green |Jason Richard Haney |1,986 |5.9% |+2.4%}}
{{CANelec|ON|FCP|Daniel Joseph Dionne|451|1.4%| }}
{{end}}

{{2003 Ontario general election/Windsor West}}
{{1999 Ontario general election/Windsor West}}
{{1995 Ontario general election/Windsor—Sandwich}}

All electoral information is taken from [[Elections Ontario]]. The expenditure figures cited on this page for all elections after 1995 are the Total Candidate's Campaign Expenses Subject to Limitation, and include transfers from constituency associations.

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

===Citations===
{{reflist}}
<!--<nowiki>PLEASE DO ''not'' TYPE FOOTNOTES HERE OR BELOW. Instead insert the entire footnote in its proper spot in the body of the article using the <ref name=> </ref> tags. See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the tags.</nowiki>-->

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikinews|Byelection in the Parkdale-High Park district of Ontario Canada goes very negative}}
* {{Ontario MPP biography|id=sandra-pupatello}}

{{Senate of Canada}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pupatello, Sandra}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Women government ministers of Canada]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ontario Liberal Party MPPs]]
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council of Ontario]]
[[Category:Politicians from Windsor, Ontario]]
[[Category:University of Windsor alumni]]
[[Category:Women MPPs in Ontario]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario]]
[[Category:Canadian senators from Ontario]]
[[Category:Independent Canadian senators]]
[[Category:Women members of the Senate of Canada]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Senate of Canada]]