- Was first elected into public office as a Toronto District School Board trustee in 1985 where she served for 6 years
- Was elected as a Meetro Toronto Councillor in 1991, championing the free dental care for hcildren in povety and the City’s school breakfast and lunch programs
- Has served on council for 14 years taking on roles as Chair of the Community Services Committee, Vice Chair of the TTC, and served on the Budget Committee
- In 2006, was elected as the MP for Trinity-Spadina
- In 2015, joined the Toronto Metropolitan University as a Distinguished Visiting Professor
