Liz Sandals

Liz Sandals is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She is a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Guelph—Wellington for the Liberal Party.

Sandals was raised in the Guelph area, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph as well as a Master of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo. She has taught computer science at the University of Guelph, and has also been an educator for the developmentally challenged in Alberta.

Sandals was elected to her local public school board in 1988, and was re-elected four times. From 1998 to 2002, she served as President of the Ontario Public School Board Association. In the latter capacity, she was a frequent opponent of the education policies of provincial Premier Mike Harris on matters such as standardized tests and centrally-administered teacher reviews. During these controversies, she drew attention to the historical importance of local accountability in the provincial education system. Sandals was the recipient of the first "Outstanding Contribution to Education Award", granted by the Ontario Principals' Council.

In the Ontario provincial election of 2003, Sandals defeated Progressive Conservative incumbent Brenda Elliott by about 3000 votes in the Guelph—Wellington riding. On October 23, 2003, she was appointed parliamentary assistant to Monte Kwinter, the Ontario Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. She then served as parliamentary assistant to Gerry Phillips, the Minister of Government Services, until September, 2006 when she was appointed as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minsiter of Education, Kathleen Wynne.

In the Ontario general election, 2007, Sandals was elected to represent the re-distributed riding of Guelph. She continues to serve as the Parliamentary Assitant to the Minister of Education.