Politics · Canada · 3 hrs ago
Former London NDP MP Irene Mathyssen dies at 75
Irene Mathyssen, a longtime NDP politician from London, Ont., has died at 75 after battling cancer.
She served the region in Ontario’s legislature and in Canada’s House of Commons.
Mathyssen entered provincial politics in 1990 and served as Ontario’s tourism minister.
She was elected MP for London–Fanshawe in 2006 and retired in 2019.
As an MP, she helped secure the removal of the federal sales tax from menstrual products.
Her daughter, Lindsay Mathyssen, succeeded her as the riding’s MP in 2019 and held the seat until losing it in 2025.
Mathyssen was remembered for advocating for her community and social justice causes.
Details of a celebration of life are expected in the coming days.
Former London NDP MP Irene Mathyssen has died at 75 after a battle with cancer.
A spokesperson for her family said she died Monday at home, surrounded by family.
Mathyssen represented the London area provincially and federally, beginning her political career in 1990.
She was elected to the House of Commons for London–Fanshawe in 2006 and retired from politics in 2019.
She led a successful effort to remove the federal portion of the sales tax from menstrual products.
- Who
- Irene Mathyssen, a former NDP MP and Ontario MPP.
- What
- She died at 75 after a battle with cancer.
- When
- Monday; the articles do not give a date for her death.
- Where
- At her home, according to a family spokesperson. The home’s location was not stated.
- Why
- She had been battling cancer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mathyssen was elected as an Ontario MPP in the riding of Middlesex.
She was elected to represent London–Fanshawe federally.
Mathyssen retired from politics, and her daughter Lindsay succeeded her in the riding.
Mathyssen died at home after a battle with cancer, according to a family spokesperson.
- Age
- 75
- Provincial election
- 1990, Middlesex
- Federal riding
- London–Fanshawe
- Federal election
- 2006
- Retirement
- 2019
2 sources
What people are saying
She was a fierce advocate for human rights, for education, for health care, for veterans.
who fought relentlessly for our movement, and for a Canada that upholds the dignity of every person.
She believed that our responsibility is to leave this world a better place than we found it.
She spoke up for those who had been forgotten and ignored and always approached her work with kindness, humility and dedication.