said, "I can't sit in certain positions, sleep in certain positions and it's very difficult to drive a car." Government pensions for injured workers are normally awarded for life. On October 21, 1994, she was appointed as Minister of Labour, replacing the retiring Robert W. Mackenzie. Opposition critic Steve Mahoney argued that the appointment placed her in a conflict of interest due to her past injury. Coppen who arrived at the swearing in ceremony in a wheelchair said, "I do understand what people have to go through to get approved for a disability pension." She dismissed the criticism. "I just got sworn in 10 minutes ago. Let's be realistic. I'm going to have to sit down and start Monday morning," she said. Rae derided the criticism as well. He said, "If you followed their (Liberal) logic, the minister of veterans' affairs couldn't be a veteran, couldn't be receiving a veteran's pension." In December 1994, Coppen stated that the government's labour laws might affect the major league baseball strike. She said the Toronto Blue Jays would not be allowed to bring in 'scab' players. The situation was later rendered moot when the season was cancelled instead. The NDP were defeated in the 1995 provincial election, and Coppen finished third in her bid for re-election, losing to Progressive Conservative Tim Hudak. Cabinet positions References External links 1946 births Women government ministers of Canada Living people Members of the Executive Council of Ontario Ontario New Democratic Party MPPs People from Port Colborne Women MPPs in Ontario Canadian politicians with disabilities