Local Pride

Honourable Jill Dunlop

Born and raised in the Town of Coldwater in Simcoe North, Jill Dunlop developed a love and appreciation for rural Ontario, and witnessed firsthand the importance of community and small local businesses, as her grandparents owned Dunlop Plumbing and her parents were actively engaged community members. This inspired her to run as the MPP for Simcoe North in 2018 to advocate for smaller communities, local businesses and the skilled trades, the backbone of Ontario’s economy.

Jill has been the member of provincial parliament for Simcoe North since 2018 and has served as Ontario’s inaugural Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response since March 2025. Prior to being elected, Jill attended Western University, and later joined the faculty of Georgian College. 

Additionally, Jill has served as the Minister of Education and the Minister of Colleges and Universities as well as Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues in the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Jill Dunlop proudly represents Simcoe North as your Member of Provincial Parliament.

Through her lived experiences, she has witnessed the importance of small businesses in fostering a strong sense of community, which are often owned by local families, just like her grandparents did with Dunlop Plumbing for 64 years. Jill’s parents have been successful in their political roles over the years and were always actively engaged community members.

Education –

Jill graduated from Western University in London, Ontario with a Bachelor of Science degree, later joining the faculty of Georgian College, Orillia Campus in various teaching roles and facilitating field placements and internships for students.

As a mother of three postsecondary-aged daughters, Jill has acquired unique insights into education systems and the world of postsecondary education, along with the need for a labour market dominated by “better jobs.”

Experience –

Jill was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe North in 2018 with an office in Orillia and a satellite office in Midland in order to accommodate the needs of such a large geographic riding. Jill has a strong staff of individuals who provide local support for her while she atttends Queen’s Park on behalf of the riding.

One year later, Jill was appointed as the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues and Social Services, where she made significant progress in combating human trafficking, modernizing Ontario’s child welfare system, and promoting women’s social and economic development across Ontario.

Further building on these accomplishments, Jill was appointed Minister of Colleges and Universities in 2021 with an immediate focus on travelling the province and visiting many of Ontario’s postsecondary and research institutions to learn and engage with students, faculty and educational leaders firsthand, gaining valuable insight to the many opportunities available in these sectors. Jill has had many accomplishments in this role to include the approval of a 4-year BSc Nursing Degree at eight Ontario colleges, including Georgian College and the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant program which provides funding for students studying in priority programs in priority communities in Ontario. This program requires you to learn and work in the region where you study, responds to labour market needs, including in health care and helps communities get the workers they need for in-demand professions.

As of July 2024, Jill Dunlop became Minister of Education for the Province of Ontario holding one of the largest portfolios in the province. Jill was appointed Ontario’s inaugural Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response since March 2025 and is currently active fulfilling the needs of the ministry in supporting Ontario.

Jill is deeply honoured to be appointed as the Minister of Education after serving three years as the Minister of Colleges and Universities, and extends her heartfelt thanks to Premier Ford for his unwavering support of both herself and the people of Ontario. As Jill steps into this new role, she is committed to continuing to put our students first. Jill looks forward to listening to the voices of the students and parents of Ontario that she serves, ensuring that their needs and concerns remain at the forefront of the provinces efforts.

Jill currently also sits on the Economic and Resource Policy Committee at Queen’s Park.

Jill is a proud mother of three talented daughters, all of whom provide her with a unique insight into the world of early education through to the completion of higher education.