Biography
Leona Dombrowsky was elected as the provincial representative for Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington in 1999 and re-elected in 2003. In 2007 she was elected to the new riding of Prince Edward-Hastings.
Known throughout her riding as the “Walking Woman,” Leona is recognized as a vocal advocate for local residents and communities.
On January 18, 2010 Leona was appointed Ontario's Minister of Education. Her portfolios include Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (2005-2010) and Minister of the Environment (2003-2005).She previously served as deputy house leader for the Ontario Liberal Party and as opposition critic for community, family and children's services.
Leona is a graduate of the University of Toronto. She lives in Tweed with her husband Helmut. Since graduating from post secondary education, their four children have left "the nest of home" and are employed in various cities across Ontario. In 1985, she was elected as a trustee on the Hastings and Prince Edward Roman Catholic School Board and served as board chair from 1991-1996.
In 1998, Leona became the first chair of the newly amalgamated Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic School Board. As a trustee, she served as a director on the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association and was a member of the Advisory Committee of the Education Quality and Assessment Office.