Monique Smith was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2003 to represent her home riding of Nipissing and was re-elected in 2007. A member of Cabinet since 2007, she currently serves as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and as Government House Leader, where she oversees the implementation of the government’s legislative agenda. Previously, Monique served as Minister of Tourism (2008-2009), Minister of Revenue (2007) and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (2003-2007).

Prior to her election into public office, Monique practised labour and employment law at McCarthy Tétrault, a Toronto law firm. She also served as Chief of Staff to then-Opposition Leader Dalton McGuinty and was executive director of the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP), a national trade association representing over 140 Canadian-owned publishing houses across the country.

As Nipissing’s MPP, Monique has been a strong voice for Northern Ontario. In the time since her election, Monique has played an integral role in delivering real results for the people of Nipissing, including new hospitals in Mattawa and North Bay, a new children’s treatment centre, a new Learning Library for Canadore College and Nipissing University, and extensive road and bridge upgrades and improvements across the riding. She is also proud to have played a role in the ongoing four-laning of Highway 11, the building of several new affordable housing projects, the revitalization of Nipissing’s waterfront, and many improvements to North Bay’s public transit system, including the new bus terminal.

At Queen’s Park, Monique has been a member of several Standing Committees and serves on both the Treasury Board of Cabinet and the Board of Internal Economy. During her first term in office, Monique completed a province-wide review of long-term care in Ontario, the results of which were included in her report, A Commitment to Care: A Plan for Long-Term Care in Ontario. This report continues to serve as the foundation for the many reforms that the McGuinty government has undertaken in the long-term care sector.  

Knowing "the work has only just begun," Monique looks forward to sharing many more successes with the people of Nipissing.