About Me
In December 2018, I was appointed to the Senate of Canada and now sit as an Independent Senator for Ontario.
Born and raised in Jamaica, I moved to Canada to further my medical studies, specializing in pediatrics and neonatology. Since then, I have spent over three decades working as a medical doctor, caring for children and youth. To complement my medical training, I also completed a Master of Business Administration from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a Master of Public Administration from the School of Policy at Queen’s University.
As a pediatrician and neonatologist, children and youth have been at the centre of my work and focus for decades. When I was appointed to the Senate in 2018, I carried this focus with me. As a Senator, I continue to advocate for children and youth and promote equal opportunity and inclusion for all.
Physician
I knew from a young age that I wanted to become a doctor. After graduating from the University of the West Indies, I moved to Canada to complete my medical training in Paediatrics and Neonatology at SickKids in Toronto.
I am a professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto and a senior neonatologist and clinical teacher at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. I am also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Academy of Pediatrics. My scholarly work has focused on regional health services, hospital accreditation and physician human resource planning.
Advocate
Through my advocacy work, I have worked to reduce social inequities and health disparities in Canada. I have also been a strong advocate for women and girls throughout my life.
I have had the pleasure of serving on many not-for-profit boards in health, education and social development. I served as President and Board Chair of the YWCA Toronto when the Elm Centre was completed—Canada’s largest affordable housing project for single low-income women, women with mental health and addiction issues, and families of Indigenous ancestry. I have also served on the inaugural Board of Directors for Unity Health Toronto and the Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation.
Senator
Becoming a Senator has allowed me to elevate the advocacy I have pursued my whole life.
Appointed to the Senate on December 12, 2018, I represent the interests of Ontario as an Independent senator.
I am a member of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI) and a member of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (CIBA), where I chair the Subcommittee on Diversity. I am also a proud member of CIBA’S Arts and Heritage Advisory Working Group.
I have worked closely with stakeholders to push for progress on issues like children’s rights and well-being, childcare, income insecurity for children and families, pharmacare and economic advancement for Black communities. I have also worked with international partners, notable from the CARICOM community, to deepen our ties and further Canada’s interest.
As Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus and Chair of the African Canadian Senators Group, I work with my parliamentary colleagues to advocate for issues that are of importance to Black communities across Canada within the Senate.
My Recent Work
As a pediatrician and neonatologist, children and youth have been at the centre of my work and focus for decades, and I have carried this focus with me in my role as Senator. This focus led to my efforts to create a Children’s Commissioner for Canada.
You can read more about my work around the creation of a Commissioner of Children and Youth here.
Contact Senator Moodie's Office
Senate of Canada 613-947-7237
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A4 rosemary.moodie@sen.parl.gc.ca
Joshua Dadjo Branavi Raveendran Kiara Nazon
Director of Parliamentary Affairs Special Assistant Parliamentary Affairs Advisor