From the Archives
Hon. Jean Augustine
The City of Vaughan’s archives house more than 600 collections dating from the 1860s to the present day. Within these files are the stories of how Vaughan evolved from the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island to the bustling city it has become.
Let’s look back at our history and share the stories of the people, places and moments that helped shape the city we know today. In recognition of Black History Month, February’s From the Archives feature is on the Hon. Jean Augustine – Canada’s first female African Canadian Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister.
In 1960, the Hon. Jean Augustine immigrated to Canada from Grenada and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Toronto. In 1993, she started her public service career and was elected Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. In 2002, she was appointed Secretary of State, with a special focus on Multiculturalism and Status of Women. The following year, she became Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women. The Hon. Jean Augustine later served as Assistant Deputy Speaker of Parliament and held this role until her retirement in 2006.
In 2007, the Hon. Jean Augustine became the first Fairness Commissioner for Ontario, a position created to advocate for Canadians with foreign professional credentials. She served in this capacity until March 2015. She also acted as the National President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada during this time.
Her work has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada and awarded several honorary doctorates.
This includes receiving the Key to the City of Vaughan in 2020 by Members of Council for her lifelong commitment to public service. The Key to the City is bestowed upon distinguished individuals for their contribution in areas including business, sport, arts and culture, public service, education and human rights. The City also named the area surrounding Rosemount Community Centre, the City Playhouse Theatre and Westmount Collegiate Institute the Jean Augustine Complex and Jean Augustine District Park.
In 2014, the Hon. Jean Augustine was the keynote speaker at the City of Vaughan’s International Women’s Day event.
VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
Looking for more information about the history of Vaughan? The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The below galleries are available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
- Archival Awareness
- Early Churches of Vaughan
- Early Communities of Vaughan
- Early Pioneers of Vaughan
- Families in Arms
- From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
- Historical Families of Vaughan
- Historical Photography
- Recollections of Rural Vaughan
- The Mary Wood Collection
- The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
- Vaughan’s Forgotten Heroes
- Vaughan Working Environments
- Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine, Music and Sports and Recreation
- And more!
A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database or contact the City by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.
By managing and preserving both City and community records, the City’s Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.
For the latest updates, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
