Laurel Broten

Laurel Broten
Ontario MPP
In office 2003–2013
Preceded by	Morley Kells
Succeeded by	Doug Holyday
Constituency	Etobicoke—Lakeshore
Personal details
Born	1967 (age 49–50)
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Paul Lebarge
Children	2
Residence	Halifax, Nova Scotia
Occupation	Lawyer

Laurel C. Broten (born c. 1967) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. She was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2003 to 2013 who represented the Toronto riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore. She served in the cabinets of Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty.

Prior to entering politics, she was a lawyer, community activist and volunteer. Broten attended McMaster University from 1986 to 1990, and has both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree from the institution. She also received an LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario in 1993. She was a law clerk to Madam Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dubé at the Supreme Court of Canada from 1993 to 1994, and later had a practice in civil and commercial litigation. She has also served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Gatehouse, a community centre for survivors of child abuse.

In 2007, Broten and her husband were criticized after they applied for a permit to build a large two-storey garage behind their home. Dubbed the "garage mahal" by neighbours, the structure was meant to hold the couple's four vehicles. The plan was notable at the time due to Broten's position as the Minister of the Environment. Following a public outcry and stories in the media plans to build the garage were cancelled.

Broten, her husband, and their two children moved to Nova Scotia in 2013.

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