Margaret Birch (1921-2020)

Margaret Birch was the first woman to hold the position of Cabinet Minister in Ontario, serving as Minister without Portfolio from 1972-1974. For nine years after that she occupied the post of Provincial Secretary for Social Development, where she was responsible for coordinating policies between education, social services and health sectors.

Ms. Birch also spent two years as Parliamentary Assistant to Premier Bill Davis, and chaired the Cabinet committee preparing Ontario's bicentennial celebrations.