Bio
Cynthia Dunsford was first elected in 2007 as the Member of the Legislature for Stratford-Kinlock.
She has been a member of several Legislative Standing Committees including: Community and Intergovernmental Affairs; Health, Social Development and Seniors, Agriculture, Environment and Forestry and is currently the Chair of the Standing Committee on Education and Innovation.
Shortly after being elected in 2007, she was appointed President of L’assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie, PEI Region, an international organization with French-speaking parliamentary representatives from Francophone countries around the world.
Cynthia has a long record of community service. She has served on the board of the Queen Street Commons as a co-founding Director, as well as Vice-President of Squash PEI and Chair of Tip to Tip for Africa PEI. Most recently, she sat on the National Board of the Townships Project, a micro-lending organization aiding entrepreneurs, primarily women, in the township areas outside East London, South Africa.
She has also served as President of Theatre PEI, taught theatre arts with the PEI Conservatory, and developed workshops on laughter therapy and improvisation. A competitive squash player and cyclist, Cynthia has acted as representative on the International Island Games Association Board. In 2004, Cynthia was the Cycling PEI Female Mountain Biking Series Champion. As well, she founded BUG PEI (Bike User Group PEI), an advocacy group focused on the environmental and health benefits of cycling. An avid skier, Cynthia was a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol System for 5 years, volunteering at PEI’s Brookvale Provincial Ski Park. As a Squash Coach, Cynthia is currently preparing young athletes for the PEI 2011 Canada Games in Halifax.
Cynthia was a founding member of the Environmental Coalition of PEI and worked primarily on public education and awareness campaigns. She was instrumental in bringing the Waste Watch pilot program to her neighbourhood in Stratford, PEI. and continues to be an advocate for cycling. (She is often seen commuting from Stratford to Charlottetown on her bike).
Early in 2010 Cynthia signed up to volunteer in Haiti after the devastating earthquake. During her time in Haiti, she worked with UNICEF helping with the Jacmel Area Educational System database to determine damage and subsequent needs of the schools, students and teachers. She also established a reading program based on the donation of over 1000 French children’s books from Island schools.
Cynthia’s career as a professional writer, actor and comedian spanned 15 years, during which time she also worked in marketing and advertising for commercial radio, film and video production, and various promotional contracts in theatre and events production. Before and during her career in the arts Cynthia she also employed herself as a home renovator, human resource manager, events producer and social entrepreneur.
Cynthia grew up in Moncton, New Brunswick and first came to the Island to attend UPEI in 1980. There, she met Wayne Dunsford and together they raised two wonderful children, Ash and Ian, now 28 and 26years, respectively. Cynthia has lived in the beautiful and growing district of Stratford-Kinlock for over 25 years. Aside from politics, Cynthia has many other interests and passions, including: technology; photography; art; theatre; nature; music.
