Marie-France Lalonde To Open WMS 2015 in Toronto Nov. 5
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At WMS 2015, Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure (Economic Development), will officiate at opening ceremonies. Lalonde will be introduced by Sue Ravenscraft, VP Vance Publishing which operates the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo under Vance Canada. The biennial exposition, running Nov. 5-7 at the International Centre, is Canada's largest wood industry trade show.

Marie-France Lalonde was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2014 as the MPP for Ottawa-Orléans.

Lalonde currently serves as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, focusing on economic development, and to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.

She serves on the Standing Committees on Government Agencies and Social Policy, as well as the Select committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment.

With a degree in social work from the University of Quebec in Hull, she put her leadership and skills to work in a career that began at the Children's Aid Society, followed by the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Hospital.

Throughout the last decade, Marie-France continued her career in caring for people and became the co-owner and executive director of the Portobello Manor in Orléans. Ms Lalonde opened Portobello Manor in 2008 to not only effect change in the community, but to address a growing need of long term and senior care. During her career at the Portobello Manor, Lalonde’s work and passion in senior care led to her receiving the 2010 New Business of the Year Award from the Orléans Chamber of Commerce. In 2013, Portobello Manor was recognized as the Community Service Business of the Year at the 2013 Orléans Business Excellence Awards.

Lalonde – who has lived in Ottawa-Orléans for 15 years – was also a Regional Director of Marketing and Sales in Eastern Canada for All Seniors Care Living Centres.

Along with her career in social work, Ms Lalonde has also served on the Community Advisory Committee for the Champlain Community Access Centre and was part of the working group on affordable housing for seniors with the United Way. Lalonde also served as Vice-President of CARP Ottawa where she continued her advocacy for seniors and senior care.

In 2012, her community involvement earned her a Leading Women Building Communities award from the Government of Ontario.

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