Irene Mathyssen

Irene R. Mathyssen (August 16, 1951 – October 12, 2026) was a dedicated Canadian educator, community activist, and New Democratic Party (NDP) politician whose long career in public service spanned both provincial and federal arenas. Born in London, Ontario, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Drama along with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario and went on to teach high school English in London until entering politics (en.wikipedia.org).

Mathyssen’s political journey began with her election to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1990, representing the Middlesex riding as an NDP Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). During her term, she held roles as government whip, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of the Environment, and briefly served as a Minister without Portfolio responsible for Culture, Tourism, and Recreation under Premier Bob Rae’s administration (1994–1995) (en.wikipedia.org).

After losing her provincial seat in 1995, she returned to her teaching career until re-entering public office at the federal level in 2006. Elected as the Member of Parliament for London—Fanshawe, she served in the House of Commons until 2019. Over her nearly 14 years in Ottawa, she held key roles including chairing the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, serving as deputy whip and caucus chair, and advocating for seniors, veterans, housing, women’s rights, and human rights more broadly (en.wikipedia.org).

Among her lasting achievements was her instrumental role in the federal government’s decision in 2015 to eliminate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on menstrual products—a victory lauded as a meaningful step for gender equity in Canada (memoritree.com).

Irene Mathyssen passed away on October 12, 2026, at age 75, at her home in London, Ontario. She had been battling cancer and was surrounded by her family, including her husband Keith and her daughter Lindsay—who succeeded her in Parliament and served as MP for London—Fanshawe until 2025 (ctcnews.ca).

Her legacy is marked by warm compassion, fierce advocacy for underrepresented communities, and a tireless belief that politics must serve others. As colleagues and community members reflected, her contribution lives on through the causes she championed and the many whose lives she touched (nwa.ontariondp.ca).

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This tribute honors Irene Mathyssen’s impactful public life and the profound mark she left on both her community and Canadian politics.

Sources to verify: - Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3154320 - English Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_Mathyssen