By Jasminee Sahoye

Two retired woman of Guyanese origin who received certificates of appreciation for their volunteer work in the riding of the new leader of the Ontario Liberal party and premier designate, Kathleen Wynne say they are happy that she was elected.

Wynne, who was the transportation minister and the current MPP for Don Valley West, presented Joyce Tadege and Yvonne Lopes, members of the Senior Guyanese Friendship Association with certificates of appreciation for their unpaid and quality time they have been spending with seniors for almost 40 years.

The two women were among 22 community volunteers recognized in Wynne’s riding in 2011.

They are both extending best wishes to Wynne in her new and challenging roles.

“I am happy for her and wish that she would be able to handle the issues before her, especially with the education sector, “ Tadege told The Camera.

“I’m happy for her,” Lopes echoed.

Teachers in the province are upset over a Bill in the legislature that would freeze wages and cut benefits.

Wynne, 59, the mother of three, served as Education Minister before taking on ministerial roles in Transportation and then Municipal Affairs

Kathleen Wynne will become the first female premier of Ontario when she is sworn-in later. She is also the first openly gay woman to be elected to such as high office. She scored the most votes beating five other candidates vying for the Ontario Liberal leadership position at last Saturday’s Liberal Party convention in Toronto.

The other candidates were Sandra Pupatello, Harinder Takhar, Charles Sousa, Gerard Kennedy and Eric Hoskins. Pupatello, a former minister of economic development in the McGuinty cabinet was at one time in the race, neck and neck with Wynne. In the final round of voting – Wynn versus Pupatello – Wynne won after three of the candidates, Hoskins, Sousa and Kennedy, crossed the floor to join her team.

Wynne replaces Dalton McGuinty who stepped down as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and Ontario Premier in October last year after serving 16 years as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and nine years as premier of Ontario.