Elizabeth Rowley
Elizabeth Rowley | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Communist Party of Canada | |
| In office January 31, 2016 – December 7, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Miguel Figueroa |
| Succeeded by | Drew Garvie |
| Leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Ontario) | |
| In office 2001–2016 | |
| Preceded by | Hassan Husseini |
| Succeeded by | Dave McKee |
| East York School Board Trustee | |
| In office 1994–1997 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1949 (age 76–77) British Columbia, Canada |
| Party | Communist Party of Canada |
| Alma mater | University of Alberta |
| Occupation | Politician |
Elizabeth Rowley (/ˈroʊli/ ROH-lee; born 1949) is a Canadian writer and political activist who served as the leader of the Communist Party of Canada from 2016 until 2025. She was previously a school trustee in the former Toronto borough of East York. Before becoming leader of the Communist Party of Canada, Rowley was leader of the Communist Party of Ontario from 2001 until 2016. She has been a member of the Central Executive of the Communist Party of Canada since 1978 and has been a perennial candidate at the municipal, federal and provincial levels. Rowley was elected the leader of the Communist Party of Canada by the party's Central Committee in January 2016, following the retirement of Miguel Figueroa. She is the first female leader of the Communist Party of Canada.