Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Mary Collins spent her early adult years in Ontario working for the Government of Ontario and later for her own consulting practice focused on the social and environmental impacts of resource development.

She returned to BC and was elected to Parliament in 1984. From 1989-1993, she was a Cabinet Minister and the first woman in Canada to hold a defense portfolio as Associate Minister of National Defence. She also served as Minister responsible for the Status of Women and later as Minister of Health.

After politics, Mary focused on health policy.  She contributed to several international projects supporting women in political life, and spent five years in Russia working on health reform and policy projects.

 She now lives in Saanich , where she serves on the boards of the Saanich Police, Pacific Opera Victoria, Goward House and the Canadian International Council, and is a member of the Sovereign Order of St. John Victoria Commandery.