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Rona Ambrose

Rona Ambrose is a Canadian former politician who served as interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2015 to 2017.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rona Ambrose is a Canadian former politician who served as interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2015 to 2017. She represented Alberta ridings in the House of Commons from 2004 to 2017 and held multiple cabinet portfolios in the government of Stephen Harper.

Early life and education

Rona Ambrose was born in Valleyview, Alberta, in 1969. Public sources describe her as a former communications and public policy consultant before entering federal politics.

Federal political career

Ambrose was elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and served until 2017. She represented two Alberta constituencies over that period and became a prominent Conservative MP in the Harper years.

Cabinet and leadership roles

Under Stephen Harper, Ambrose held several cabinet positions, including minister of the environment and minister of health. After the 2015 election, she served as interim Conservative leader and Leader of the Official Opposition until Andrew Scheer was chosen as party leader.

Retirement from politics

Ambrose announced in 2017 that she would leave federal politics and resign her seat. She then took on roles outside Parliament, including work in policy and business sectors.

Key facts

  • First elected to the House of Commons in 2004.
  • Served as interim leader of the Conservative Party from 2015 to 2017.
  • Held multiple cabinet portfolios, including environment, health, labour, and public works.
  • Announced her retirement from federal politics in 2017.
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Canadian context

Ambrose is notable in Canadian politics as one of the country’s most prominent female Conservative leaders and as a former Leader of the Official Opposition.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rona Ambrose?
Rona Ambrose is a Canadian former federal politician who served as interim Conservative leader and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2015 to 2017.
When was Rona Ambrose born?
She was born on March 15, 1969.
Which ridings did she represent?
She represented Edmonton—Spruce Grove from 2004 to 2015 and Sturgeon River—Parkland from 2015 to 2017.
What cabinet roles did she hold?
She held several cabinet posts under Stephen Harper, including environment and health, among others.
When did she leave federal politics?
She announced her retirement in 2017 and left Parliament that year.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rona_Ambrose
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, constituencies, leadership role, and retirement timing.
  2. House of Commons of Canada — https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/rona-ambrose(25447)
    Supports: Parliamentary service, party affiliation, constituencies, and confirmation that she is no longer an MP.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rona-Ambrose
    Supports: Overview of her role as an MP and interim party leader.
  4. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rona-ambrose-conservative-mp-1.4116233
    Supports: Her 2017 departure from federal politics and cabinet career details.