Coteau resigned as from the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on August 17, 2021 to run for his constituency's federal seat, vacated by Yasmin Ratansi, in the 44th Canadian general election.[3] He was elected with 59% of the vote.
Background
Coteau was born in Huddersfield, England. His father is from Carriacou, Grenada and his mother is from Yorkshire, England. He came to Canada with his parents in 1976 and grew up in social housing in Flemingdon Park in North York.[4] Coteau's family was low-income and he had to borrow the money needed to cover his university application fee from a friend's father.[5] After graduating from Leaside High School,[6] he attended Carleton University and received a degree in history and political science.[7]
Coteau was a Toronto District School Board Trustee for Ward 17, winning elections in 2003, 2006, and 2010.[7] As a trustee, he advocated for student nutrition, community use of space, and the use of educational technology.[7] He initiated the 'Community Use of Schools' motion that cut user fees and made schools more accessible to groups that offer programs for children.[7] He helped introduce nutritional changes in schools that supported healthy food programs and increased awareness of student hunger.[7]
In addition to his work as a trustee, Coteau served as the executive director and chief executive officer of a national adult literacy firm, and worked as a community organizer in the Malvern area of Scarborough, Ontario with the United Way.[9] He also owned and operated his own small business.
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, Coteau was named Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.[12] He was one of ten members of the Wynne's cabinet with no prior cabinet experience.[13] 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.[14] He made headlines advocating for children to be able to play street hockey. On February 16, 2016, it was announced that Coteau would add responsibility for anti-racism, responsible for establishing various anti-racism programs.[15] On June 13, 2016, he was appointed Minister of Children and Youth Services, and in particular worked collaboratively with parents to deliver a reformed Ontario Autism Program.[16] He also was subsequently appointed Minister of Community and Social Services, holding down three separate portfolios for the government.
In 2018, Coteau defeated Conservative candidate Denzil Minnan Wong, Toronto's deputy mayor, to win his third election in the North Toronto constituency.[17]
In June 2019, Coteau entered the race for leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party. Coteau said he had "a different vision" and would "restore decency to our politics".[18] At the leadership convention on March 7, 2020, he received 16.9% of the vote, finishing second behind the winner, Steven Del Duca.[19]
Federal politics
On August 10, 2021, Coteau was nominated as the federal Liberal candidate in Don Valley East, ahead of the next election. He was elected on September 20, 2021.
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