She served as a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995 who represented the riding of Niagara South.
[4] In April 1992, Coppen was portrayed in the media as using her position as whip to reward hard working members with routine trips to study the parliamentary process.
Coppen who walks with a cane said she was receiving $83 a month since she strained her neck and shoulders 10 years ago trying to catch a patient falling out of bed in a psychiatric hospital.
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."
"[10] In December 1994, Coppen stated that the government's labour laws might affect the major league baseball strike.
[11] 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.