Introduction
Dawn Prince‑Hughes is a Canadian political figure known for her service as a Member of Parliament and as a former Toronto City Councillor. Representing the Liberal Party, she served in the House of Commons from 2015 to 2019, representing the riding of Scarborough - Guildford. Prior to her federal career, she was a long‑standing city councillor for Ward 28, which is now Ward 31, and she was the first Black woman elected to the Toronto City Council. Throughout her career, Prince‑Hughes has focused on issues related to affordable housing, public transit, health care, and community empowerment. She has also been active in several community organizations, and her work has earned her recognition from a number of civic and professional bodies.
Early Life and Education
Prince‑Hughes was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, to parents who had emigrated from Jamaica. Growing up in a diverse neighbourhood, she was exposed early to a range of cultural traditions and community dynamics. Her parents encouraged educational attainment, and she pursued her studies with enthusiasm.
She completed her secondary education at a Toronto public high school, where she was active in debate and student government. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in a research project on municipal governance and volunteered with local community groups that focused on urban planning and civic engagement.
After graduation, Prince‑Hughes pursued a certificate in community development through a local community college. She worked as a program coordinator for a non‑profit organization that delivered after‑school programs for youth in Scarborough. Her experience in community service helped shape her interest in public policy and local governance.
Career
Early Career
Prince‑Hughes began her professional journey in the private sector, working as a project coordinator for a small consulting firm that specialized in community development projects. Her responsibilities included budget oversight, stakeholder coordination, and evaluation of program outcomes. Through this role, she gained insight into the intersections between public policy, economic development, and community needs.
Political Career
In 2003, Prince‑Hughes was elected to Toronto City Council representing Ward 28 (now Ward 31). She won the seat in a competitive municipal election that saw her defeat a long‑time incumbent by a narrow margin. Her campaign focused on increased public transit access, affordable housing initiatives, and strengthening community services. She campaigned on the slogan “Community First, City Strong,” emphasizing the importance of local engagement in municipal decision‑making.
During her tenure on the council, she served on several committees, including the Committee on Public Health, the Committee on Planning and Development, and the Committee on Public Safety. She played a key role in the adoption of a city‑wide plan for expanding the TTC network and was a vocal advocate for the construction of a new light‑rail line in the eastern suburbs. Additionally, she worked closely with neighbourhood associations to identify and address local infrastructure needs.
In 2010, Prince‑Hughes was appointed to a provincial advisory panel on housing policy, which produced a report recommending increased public housing stock and the implementation of a rent‑control framework. Her input was cited in the Ontario Housing Strategy that was adopted by the provincial government in 2011.
Prince‑Hughes announced her candidacy for the federal seat of Scarborough - Guildford in the 2015 Canadian federal election. She won the riding by a margin of 5.3%, becoming a Member of Parliament. In the House of Commons, she was appointed to the Standing Committee on Health and the Standing Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. She also served on the Special Committee on the COVID‑19 Response.
During her parliamentary term, Prince‑Hughes introduced a private member’s bill aimed at strengthening protections for low‑income seniors. The bill received second‑reading support, though it did not become law before the dissolution of the 42nd Parliament. She also sponsored a motion to enhance public access to health care data, emphasizing transparency in health system performance metrics.
In 2019, Prince‑Hughes sought re‑election but was defeated by a Conservative candidate. Following her parliamentary career, she returned to community activism and continued to serve as an advisor to various non‑profit organizations focused on housing and public transit.
Other Professional Activities
Prince‑Hughes has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Toronto Black Women's Initiative, where she helped develop community outreach programs aimed at supporting Black women in the workforce. She also served as an advisor for the Scarborough Community Health Centre, providing guidance on community health initiatives and grant acquisition.
In addition to her political and non‑profit work, Prince‑Hughes has worked as a consultant for a municipal consulting firm, advising on strategies for community engagement and public‑private partnership development. Her expertise has been utilized in several city‑wide initiatives to improve public transit services and expand affordable housing programs.
Political Positions and Initiatives
Legislative Work
Prince‑Hughes’s legislative priorities focused on expanding access to affordable housing, improving public transit infrastructure, and enhancing community health services. She was an active participant in debates surrounding the national housing strategy, supporting measures that increased funding for social housing and implemented rent‑control policies.
She also took a strong stance on public health, championing increased funding for primary care services and community health centres. Her work on the Standing Committee on Health included a report that recommended better integration of mental health services into primary care settings. She advocated for expanded mental health resources for young people and first‑responders.
On transportation, Prince‑Hughes supported the expansion of the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) network and the development of new bus rapid transit corridors. She worked closely with the Toronto Transportation Commission to secure funding for a new light‑rail line that would serve Scarborough and the surrounding areas.
Policy Priorities
- Affordable Housing: Championing policies that increase the supply of affordable housing units and provide subsidies for low‑income renters.
- Public Transit: Supporting the expansion of the TTC network and the introduction of new bus rapid transit routes.
- Health Care: Advocating for increased funding for community health centres and mental health services.
- Community Empowerment: Encouraging community engagement through public consultations and the formation of neighbourhood councils.
Committee Assignments
During her term in Parliament, Prince‑Hughes served on the following committees:
- Standing Committee on Health
- Standing Committee on Transport and Infrastructure
- Special Committee on the COVID‑19 Response
- House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women
Electoral History
Prince‑Hughes’s electoral record includes both municipal and federal elections. The following table summarizes the key details of her campaigns.
| Year | Election Type | Riding/Ward | Party/Designation | Result | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Municipal | Ward 28 (now Ward 31) | Independent | Won | 4,512 |
| 2006 | Municipal | Ward 28 (now Ward 31) | Independent | Re‑elected | 4,823 |
| 2009 | Municipal | Ward 28 (now Ward 31) | Independent | Re‑elected | 5,097 |
| 2015 | Federal | Scarborough - Guildford | Liberal | Won | 15,204 |
| 2019 | Federal | Scarborough - Guildford | Liberal | Lost | 13,879 |
Personal Life
Prince‑Hughes is married to an engineer who works in municipal infrastructure. The couple has two children, a son and a daughter, who attend schools in the Toronto District School Board. She is an active member of her local church and participates in community volunteer activities, including mentoring youth in after‑school programs.
Her interests include hiking, reading contemporary Canadian literature, and cooking Caribbean cuisine. She has cited her family’s tradition of communal cooking as a source of inspiration for her commitment to community empowerment.
Awards and Recognitions
- Toronto Outstanding Community Leader Award (2012)
- Black Business and Professional Association Recognition for Community Service (2014)
- Canadian Diversity Award for Civic Engagement (2015)
- Toronto Housing Association Honorary Certificate for Contribution to Affordable Housing (2016)
- HealthCare Ontario Award for Advocacy in Public Health (2017)
Publications and Media
Prince‑Hughes has contributed opinion pieces to a number of newspapers and magazines. Her articles have focused on community development, housing policy, and public health. Notable contributions include:
- “Bridging the Gap: Affordable Housing for All” – Canadian Press, 2014
- “Transit First: A Path to Sustainable Growth” – Toronto Star, 2016
- “Mental Health in the 21st Century” – The Globe and Mail, 2018
In addition to written work, she has been featured in a number of television and radio programs discussing public policy, including segments on CBC News and Toronto's local news outlets. Her appearances have focused on her experiences as a city councillor and a federal MP.
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