Joy MacPhail was appointed Minister of Education on November 1, 2000. She remains Deputy Premier.

She served as Minister of Labour and Deputy Premier from February 2000 to November 2000, as Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations from February 1998 to July 1999 and as Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors from June 1996 to February 1998. Ms. MacPhail was also Minister Responsible for BC Transit from September 1996 to July 1999 and was Government House Leader from February 1996 to July 1999. Before that, she served as Minister of Social Services from September 1993 to June 1996.

Ms. MacPhail has also served as Government Caucus Chair, has chaired the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Crown Corporations, was vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee, and co-chaired the legislature's Constitution Committee.

She was first elected to represent the constituency of Vancouver-Hastings in 1991 and was re-elected in 1996.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Ms. MacPhail studied economics at the University of Western Ontario and the London School of Economics.

She has worked as an economist with labour organizations including the B.C. Federation of Labour, the Service Employees' International Union and the B.C. Government Service and Employees' Union. She was the first woman to serve on the Provincal Apprenticeship Board.

Her community work includes involvement in the development of Hastings Park, the Vancouver Action Plan and Community Services Fund, and membership in the Kidsafe Advisory Committee and the VIEW Performing Arts Society.

She has one son, Jack.