Lise Vaugeois is a Canadian politician and academic. A member of the Ontario New Democratic Party, Vaugeois was elected to represent district of Thunder BayâÂÂSuperior North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2022 election.
Prior to entering politics, Vaugeois was a professor at the Lakehead University. She moved to Thunder Bay to play in the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.
In the 2018 Ontario general election, Vaugeois unsuccessfully contested the district of Thunder BayâÂÂSuperior North. In the 2022 election, she won the district. In this election, Vaugeois was notable for being the only candidate who gained a seat previously held by the Ontario Liberal Party. Thunder BayâÂÂSuperior North was also one of two districts gained by the Ontario New Democratic Party in the 2022 election (the other being Ottawa WestâÂÂNepean).
In January 2024, Aditya Birla Group made the decision to close its pulp and paper mill in Terrace Bay, laying off approximately 400 workers. Vaugeois called for the government to reach a deal with Aditya Birla to reopen the mill and provide support to the workers and their families.
As of August 11, 2024, she serves as the Official Opposition critic for Seniors, Persons Living with Disabilities, Accessibility, WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board), and Injured Workers.
In October 2024, Vaugeois criticized the Conservative government for the state of road safety in Northern Ontario, specifically mentioning a lack of inspections and a rising number of fraudulent commercial trucking licenses.
Throughout 2024, Vaugeois advocated for reducing barriers for wildland firefighters to access sickness benefits through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
Vaugeois endorsed Avi Lewis in the 2026 New Democratic Party leadership election.