Parker was born and raised in New Brunswick, the daughter of Drogheda, a high school Teacher, and Wayne Parker. She moved to Montreal where she studied acting at Concordia University. After completing a 3-year program in performance, she began working with Pigeons International Theatre for the next 10 years. She was awarded Best Supporting Actress at the Theatre Critics of Quebec Awards in 1992 for her role as la Bonne in Coquelicots.