OTTAWA — Here's a brief sketch of Rona Ambrose, who is stepping down next month as interim Opposition leader and Conservative MP:
Age: 48.
Early Years: Born in Valleyview, Alta., to parents Colleen and James Chapchuk. Grew up in different countries as her oil executive father travelled. She spent nine years in Brazil as a child and also lived in Borneo, Singapore and Egypt before returning to Canada in her mid-teens.
Education: Bachelor of arts from the University of Victoria and a master's degree in political science from the University of Alberta.
Before politics: Longtime volunteer at the Edmonton's Women's Shelter; prior to that was a volunteer at the Victoria Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre.
Personal life: Partner J.P. Veitch is a former professional rodeo cowboy who now works in the energy sector.
Quote: After being turfed from cabinet in 2007, joked she was going to start her own cosmetics line, featuring a body cream for women going into politics. The label would say to use liberally, because "the more you put on, the thicker your skin gets."
The Canadian Press
