Deb Matthews was elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. Matthews previously served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. Her previous political experience includes co-chairing the provincial Liberal campaigns in 1987 and 1995 and serving as the president of the Ontario Liberal Party from 2003 to 2006.

Matthews has been involved in a wide range of community organizations, serving on the boards of Orchestra London, the Thames Valley Children’s Centre, as board member and president of the Big Sisters of London and on London advisory boards for the Salvation Army and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

Matthews’ work on social assistance reform, including her Ontario Works report, has received strong support from a wide range of community leaders. She was recognized in the 2007 Ontario Budget speech as having been a driving force behind the new Ontario Child Benefit. Matthews received the 2007 Political Award of Merit from The Social Work Doctors’ Colloquium, given to an individual who in their political, professional and social life, practises and exemplifies the values of the social work profession including the fight for social justice.

Her diverse work background includes business experience in the construction industry, fundraising in the non-profit sector and teaching at the University of Western Ontario. She served as the 1995-96 fundraising co-ordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of London. The University of Western Ontario has twice honoured her with a place on the University Students’ Council Teaching Honour Roll.

Matthews was born in London North Centre and studied at the University of Western Ontario, where she completed her PhD in social demography. She has three children.