Irene Mathyssen served as the Member of Parliament for the riding of London-Fanshawe from 2006 to 2019. Irene was the Official Opposition Critic for Veterans, and sat on the Veterans Affairs Committee. She served previously as Seniors Critic, Pensions Critic, Deputy Heritage Critic, Critic for Status of Women, as the chair of the NDP’s women’s caucus and as the chair of the Status of Women committee. Irene also served as Deputy Whip for the NDP in the 42nd Parliament. Previously, Irene served as the MPP for London-Fanshawe from 1990 to 1995, and as a Cabinet Minister in the government of Premier Bob Rae. She has also served as a member of the Ontario Health Coalition. Irene holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario.