Lisa Raitt, born in Sydney, N.S., was first elected to the House of Commons as the Member for Halton in 2008, and re-elected in 2011. On July 15, 2013, Ms. Raitt was appointed Minister of Transport, after having been appointed Minister of Natural Resources in October 2008 and Minister of Labour in January 2010.
Prior to her election, Ms. Raitt was President and Chief Executive Officer of Toronto Port Authority, responsible for leading the Canadian federal corporation that manages commerce, transportation (including the Toronto City Centre Airport) and recreation in the Toronto Harbour. In 2008, she was elected Chair of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities. She had previously served as the Toronto Port Authority’s Chief Counsel, and Harbourmaster.
Ms. Raitt pursued her education first in science, graduating with a B.Sc. from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, and then an M.Sc. in Chemistry, specialized in environmental biochemical toxicology, from University of Guelph. She earned her LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School. Upon her call to the bar in 1998, Ms. Raitt was honoured as a Dr. Harold G. Fox Scholar and trained in the United Kingdom with barristers who specialize in international trade, commerce, transportation and arbitration.
As a lawyer, Ms. Raitt specialized in the areas of intellectual property, commercial litigation and shipping arbitration.
Ms. Raitt is an active member of her community. She volunteered as a Halton canvasser and fundraiser for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and for her children’s hockey, soccer and gymnastics organizations. In 2002, Ms. Raitt was invited to become a member of the Canadian chapter of the worldwide Young Presidents’ Organization.
Ms. Raitt resides in Oakville, Ontario, and is the mother of two boys.
Canadian Sailings congratulates Ms. Raitt on her appointment, and extends its best wishes to her in handling this important and challenging portfolio.