Known for persevering in the face of adversity, Margarett Best is a dedicated community advocate for Scarborough-Guildwood.

Upon losing her mom at the tender age of 11, Margarett faced challenges. A lawyer with an innate desire to give back to community, she started giving back as a child assisting with her nieces and nephews. She worked full-time while raising her young children and attended UTSC part-time for five years. She attended Osgoode Hall Law School full-time, while working two part-time jobs and volunteering at Osgoode’s Legal Clinic.

She is a recipient of an African Canadian Achievement Award in 2011; a BBPA Women of Distinction Award; Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Northern Caribbean University; a National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada Award for Equality and Social Justice; was named one of Canada’s most influential women in Sport and Physical activity for 2010, and was a recipient of the City of Toronto’s Bob Marley Diversity Award in 2011.

Elected in 2007, MPP, Scarborough-Guildwood, Margarett brought her enthusiastic dedication to public service to the Ontario Legislature.She is currently the Minister of Consumer Services.

Scarborough-Guildwood has benefitted from her hard work; a two storey Aboriginal Family-Life Centre and upgrades to the Children’s Visitation Centre, the expansion of Scarborough Village Community Centre, Centennial College’s new library and academics facility, a new gym for the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough, shorter wait times at the Centenary Hospital, and full-day kindergarten to area schools. Margarett is an avid gardener who loves the arts and has a passion for writing. She is the mother of three adult children.