Marie-Lison Fougère holds a dual appointment, as Deputy Minister of Francophone Affairs and Deputy Responsible for Women’s Issues.  

Marie-Lison has 30 years of experience in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and has been a Deputy Minister since 2015. 

In addition to being the Deputy Minister of Francophone Affairs, she previously served as Deputy Minister for Long-Term Care and Deputy Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.  

Her prior senior leadership roles included: Interim Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy and Programs Division at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; and Assistant Deputy Minister at the Office of Francophone Affairs. As well, she occupied a variety of director positions at the Ministry of Education.

Marie-Lison studied political science and German literature at Dalhousie University in Halifax and at Heidelberg University in Germany. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Dalhousie University and a Master’s Degree from York University.

She is also fluent in French, English and German.