Diane Stratas

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Diane Rose Stratas (born 28 December 1932 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) was a Progressive Conservative Party member of the Canadian House of Commons. She was a businesswoman and community service volunteer by career. She is the middle daughter of Greek immigrants from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, originally from Kastri, Greece, and is married to retired veterinarian, Dr. William J. Stratas.

[edit] Public service

Diane Stratas represented the newly formed Ontario constituency of Scarborough Centre which she won by a comfortable margin in the 1979 federal election. In September 1979, she was appointed by Prime Minister Joe Clark as Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State, the Hon. David MacDonald. After serving one term, the 31st Canadian Parliament, she was defeated in the 1980 federal election by Norm Kelly of the Liberal Party.

Although her time in public service was short, it is notable that Diane Stratas was the first woman of Greek-Canadian heritage elected to Canada's House of Commons. She also was one of only two female MPs in the Progressive Conservative government of 1979-1980, the other being Secretary of State for External Affairs, the Hon. Flora MacDonald.

[edit] Recognition and honours

In 1992, Diane Stratas was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal in recognition of her contribution to public service and community. In 1994 she was recognized with a Lifetime Women's Achievement award by the Greek Community of Metropolitan Toronto.