Rona Ambrose

Ronalee Ambrose Veitch PC (/ˈrɒnə ˈæmbroʊz/ RAW-nə AM-brohz, née Chapchuk; born March 15, 1969) is a former Canadian politician who served as leader of the Official Opposition and interim leader of the Conservative Party from 2015 to 2017. She was the member of Parliament (MP) for Sturgeon River—Parkland from 2015 to 2017, after previously representing Edmonton—Spruce Grove from 2004 to 2015.

Born in Valleyview, Alberta, Ambrose studied political science at the University of Victoria and later earned a master's degree in public policy from the University of Alberta. She worked as a communication and public policy consultant for the Alberta government before entering federal politics. First elected in the 2004 federal election, she served as the Conservative Party’s intergovernmental affairs critic during her first term in Opposition.

Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Ambrose held multiple cabinet positions between 2006 and 2015, including minister of the environment (2006–2007), minister of intergovernmental affairs (2007–2008), minister of western economic diversification (2008–2010), minister of labour (2010–2013), minister of public works and government services (2010–2013), minister of status of women (2010–2015), and minister of health (2013–2015). She also served as vice-chair of the Treasury Board and president of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada.

Following the Conservative Party’s defeat in the 2015 federal election, Ambrose was chosen as interim leader of the party and leader of the Official Opposition. She served in the role until 2017, when she announced her retirement from federal politics. After leaving office, she was appointed a visiting fellow at the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Later that year, she was named to the Liberal government’s 13-member NAFTA advisory council to provide input on trade negotiations with the United States and Mexico.