Political Career
She was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1987 provincial election, defeating her Progressive Conservative opponent by more than 6000 votes in the riding of Ottawa—Rideau. The Liberals won a majority government in this election under David Peterson, and O'Neill served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education in 1987–1988.
The Liberals were upset by the New Democratic Party in the 1990 provincial election, although O'Neill was comfortably re-elected in her own riding. She served as Deputy Opposition Whip from 1990 to 1992, and held a number of official critic positions.
The Progressive Conservatives won a majority government in the 1995 provincial election, and O'Neill lost her riding to Progressive Conservative Garry Guzzo by 1,523 votes. She did not return to politics after this time, although she did later serve with Elections Canada as the Federal Returning Officer for the electoral district of Ottawa West Nepean. Yvonne O'Neill died from cancer on September 6, 2010.
Read more about this topic: Yvonne O'Neill
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