· First elected to the House of Commons in 1997, re-elected in 2000

· Grew up in Saskatchewan

· Married Robert Desjarlais in 1973; they have made Thompson their home since then

· As an employee of the Thompson General Hospital, was an active member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union

· Served as union steward for health and safety and was involved with the negotiating committee

· Served as a director of the Juniper Centre, the Thompson Food Cooperative and Thompson Children's World Daycare

· An elected trustee with the School District of Mystery Lake and was Chair of the Board in 1994

· Serves in the House of Commons as the NDP Community Investment Advocate and interim health critic

· The mother of three sons and the grandmother of three boys and a girl.