Grenadian-born Jean Augustine was on Monday re-elected for a fourth consecutive term as a parliamentarian in the Canadian House of Commons. A long-time resident of Etobicoke, the Honourable Jean Augustine was born in Grenada. Before entering politics, she was an elementary school principal with the Toronto District Catholic School Board. In 1993, Ms. Augustine became the first black woman elected to the Parliament of Canada. From 1994 to 1996, she was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada. She also served three terms as Chair of the National Liberal Women's Caucus. Ms. Augustine was elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. She has served as Secretary of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women), and on December 12, 2003, she was appointed as Minister of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women). Jean Augustine holds a B.A., a M.Ed. and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Toronto. Ms. Augustine supports the Jean Augustine Scholarship Fund, which assists single mothers to pursue post-secondary studies at George Brown College. She is the recipient of several awards including the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, and the Toronto Lions' Club Onyx Award. Ms. Augustine is the mother of two daughters. Prime Minister Keith Mitchell has forwarded a congratulatory letter to the Grenadian-born Augustine on her re-election Following is the text of the letter, which was sent via fax On Tuesday, June 29. “On behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, I am pleased to extend congratulations to you on being re-elected to the House of Commons Jean, in 1993, when you became the first black woman to be elected to the Canadian Parliament, you made history. You have made history again, having been elected for an unprecedented fourth term. Your constituents of Etobicoke-Lakeshore expressed their support for you in no uncertain terms at the ballot box on Monday. We in Grenada are, to say the least, very proud of your many accomplishments. Best wishes for another productive and successful term in Office.”