MNA for La Pinière since 1994 and First Vice-President of the National Assembly, Fatima Houda-Pepin has held a number of Parliamentary functions as President and member of many Commissions, including the Public Finances Commission. An experienced parliamentarian, she was the President of the National Assembly delegation to Europe, the Health Commission of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas and the Quebec section of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas.

For nine years, she has shepherded a number of important files as a member of the Executive Committee of the Montérégie Regional Development Council and as President of the Liberal Caucus in Montérégie. She was also involved in debates on many issues, including international relations, francophonie, immigration and cultural communities, e-government and housing.  Mrs. Houda-Pepin also initiated and presided a major public consultation on food security.

She holds two B.A. degrees, one in commerce and one in political science, two master’s degrees, in international relations and information science, as well as a Ph.D. in international politics.

Fatima Houda-Pepin has received a number of awards and distinctions over the years: the « Le français pour moi ça compte » Award from the Quebec Office of the French Language, The Honorary Prize from the Montreal Teachers Alliance, The 125 th anniversary of Confederation Commemorative Medal, and the Zonta International Honorary Prize. She was also named Squire of the Order of La Francophonie, political woman of distinction by the Montreal Board of Trade and Personality of the year in 2005 by Châtelaine magazine.

Prior to her political career, she worked as an expert consultant in immigration and international affairs.  In 2008, she was awarded the Legion of Honour by the Republic of France.