Mary Anne Chambers

Chambers was born in Jamaica, and emigrated to Canada in 1976. She was a banker prior to entering political life. She joined Scotiabank in 1976, and was involved in the expansion of computer and electronic services within the organization. She was also involved in a number of taskforces concerning the role of women in the workplace. In 1988, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto with a major in Commerce.

Chambers was named a Senior Vice-President of the bank in 1998, retiring from the position in December 2002. She is also a former director of Grace, Kennedy (Ontario) Ltd. and Grace Foods International Ltd., prominent food distribution companies belonging to a parent organization in Jamaica.

Chambers was a member of the Rouge Valley Health System, serving as Vice-Chair for a time. She was a member of the Board of Governors at the University of Toronto from 1993 to 2001, and Vice-Chair of the Governing Council from 1998 to 2001. She helped to author a University policy that no student would be prevented from studying at Toronto for inadequate financial resources.

Chambers was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Way of Greater Toronto from 1994 to 2001, and was President of the Canadian Club of Toronto from 1998 to 1999. In 2003, she was awarded the Prime Minister's Medal of Appreciation for Service to Jamaica by Jamaican Prime Minister Percival James Patterson, in recognition of her work within Toronto's Jamaican community.

Chambers was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the provincial election of 2003, as a Liberal in the riding of Scarborough East, defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative Steve Gilchrist by over 7000 votes. The Liberals won the provincial election, and Chambers was appointed Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on October 23, 2003. In early 2004, she reaffirmed her government's election pledge not to raise tuition rates.