Michael Coteau

Michael Coteau (born c. 1972) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who was elected in 2011. He represents the riding of Don Valley East in Toronto. He serves in cabinet in the government of Kathleen Wynne.

Coteau was born in Huddersfield, England. His father is from Grenada and his mother is British. He came to Canada with his parents in 1976. He graduated from Carleton University and taught English in South Korea.

Coteau was a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Trustee for Ward 17, winning elections in 2003, 2006, and 2010. As a Trustee, Coteau advocated for better student nutrition, increased digital technology in the classroom, and the community use of school space. In addition to his work as a Trustee, Coteau served as the Executive Director/CEO of a national adult literacy firm, and worked as a community organizer in the Malvern area of Scarborough, Ontario.

Provincial politics

In 2011 he ran provincial election in the riding of Don Valley East. He won the election beating PC candidate Michael Lende by 7,645 votes. He was re-elected in 2014.

The Liberals won a minority government and Coteau was appointed as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism and Culture. In 2013, after Kathleen Wynne replaced Dalton McGuinty as Premier he was named Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He was one of ten members of the Wynne's cabinet with no prior cabinet experience. In June 2014, Coteau was made Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport by Premier Kathleen Wynne, as well as Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games. On February 16, 2016, it was announced that Coteau would add responsibility for Anti-Racism. On June 13, 2016, he was appointed Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Cabinet positions

Electoral record