Margarett R. Best

During the last few years, I was primarily engaged on a self-directed journey, more particularly speaking engagements, research and writing, community building, mentoring, community building, youth and women empowerment and travel to promote peace in the world.

Leading the charge for consumer protection in government; at Cabinet, Treasury Board and in the Ontario Legislature.

• Management, strategic planning, marketing, business development and budget for the Ministry
• Provincial oversight for approximately 50 consumer protection statutes in the Province of Ontario, and the agencies that reported to the Ministry of Consumer Services
• Governing body for consumer services including wireless services sector, bereavement services, technical standards and safety
• Developing a framework for legislative reform of various pieces of legislation, including the Condominium Act, 2012, and the Business Corporations Act
• Leading the consultation process with respect to legislation pertaining to the Ministry.
• Introduced legislation relating to consumer protection in the Ontario Legislature
• Spearheaded several consumer protection initiatives

• Established budgetary directives, managed costs, prioritized needs; 
• Provided strategic direction, fostered mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships with stakeholders; 
• Created strong strategic alliances with organization leaders to effectively align with community needs;
• Brought key program and services to constituents, and supported key health promotion initiatives;
• Exercised leadership and demonstrated competency in achieving key accomplishments which have left a large legacy for Ontarians, which will be a positive impact on Ontarians well into the future including the sports and recreational legacy of the Pan/Parapan American Games;
• Driving Ontario's health promotion campaign, and marketing Ontario's health promotion, disease prevention and mental wellness strategies to Ontario's 13 million people;
• Promoting healthy living, regular exercise, sports and recreation for heart health, mental health, chronic disease prevention, injury prevention through the Ministry of Health Promotion's work with key community partners including the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Ottawa Heart Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and as the governing body for Ontario's Public Health Units;
• Introducing key initiatives under Ontario's Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, including an amendment to the Smoke Free Ontario Act, banning smoking in cars with children and prohibiting the display of tobacco products on store shelves;
• Strategic and insightful design thinking were also key to the development and marketing strategy for Ontario's successful bid for the Pan/Parapan American Games of 2015.  By targeted strategic communication, planning, people skills and personality, we gained the confidence of Sports Ministers from the Pan American Diaspora and the Pan American Sporting Organization leaders, to rally the votes to win our bid.       

• Led the Constituency Office by example, setting high standards in interacting with, addressing and solving issues raised by constituents.
• Attracted and retained quality performance political teams by hiring, developing and motivating skilled professionals in my Offices to higher achievements and excellence in all things.  As a team, we engaged constituents on a daily basis, addressed targeted community issues, organized community events and attended to the needs of constituents on various levels in a wide range of services.   We developed and cemented our relationship with constituents and won the confidence and support of the people. 
• Prioritized and addressed relevant issues, with commitment to achieving shared goals.