Last Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of being in Markdale to attend the first screening of a documentary hosted by the Friends of South Grey Museum called No Bed of Roses. It was a story about the first woman ever elected to the House of Commons and to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Agnes Macphail.

Agnes Macphail was born in March 1890, and she was raised on a farm in Proton township in Grey county. She graduated in 1910 with a teacher’s certificate. She applied for five positions and was accepted to all five.

Ms. Macphail became active politically, joining the United Farm Women of Ontario. She sought the nomina-tion for the Progressive Party of Canada in the electoral district of Grey Southeast against 10 men and beat them all.

Interjections.

Then she was elected in 1921, as the first female MP in Canadian history.

In 1943, Agnes Macphail was elected here, to the Legislative Assembly, as one of the first two women elected to the Ontario Legislature. You can see her picture near the east doors of this beautiful building.

Ms. Macphail was eager to see more women in politics. As she explained, “Most women think politics aren’t lady-like. Well, I’m no lady. I’m a human being.”

Agnes Macphail appears on the Canada 150 edition of our $10 note as the first woman other than a sovereign to have a permanent spot on the Canadian currency.

Speaker, Agnes Macphail broke down the barriers. Thinking of the road she had to travel, as a woman, to be elected in 1921 truly amazes me.

Thank you, Agnes for who you were and for all you did. You are an inspiration to all of us every day.