The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC (“FACL BC”) extends its congratulations to the federal government’s new Cabinet. FACL BC is especially pleased to see the inclusion of five Ministers of pan-Asian descent, one of whom is new to Cabinet. A cabinet that reflects Canada’s diverse communities is better suited to represent the interests of all Canadians.

FACL BC welcomes the appointments of:

• the Honourable Ali Cyrus Ehsassi as Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement;

• the Honourable Anita Anand (formerly President of the Treasury Board) as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry;

• the Honourable Kamal Khera (formerly Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities) as Minister of Health;

• the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree (formerly solely Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations) as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Attorney General of Canada; and

• the Honourable Rechie Valdez (formerly Minister of Small Business) as Chief Government Whip.

Each of these Ministers brings a wealth of lived experience and community connectedness that enriches Canada’s national fabric and demonstrates that we are stronger when all voices are included at the table. 

The Honourable Ali Cyrus Ehsassi was born in Geneva, Switzerland and immigrated to Canada at the age of 15, settling down in North York, Ontario. His father was an Iranian diplomat and worked in Iran's embassy in Switzerland when he was born. Before his recent ministerial appointment, he worked as a lawyer in the private sector and as a civil servant at the provincial and federal levels. He has served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (Innovation and Industry), Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the subcommittee on International Human Rights, amongst other roles.

You can also find the background and achievements of the four returning Ministers, the Honourable Anand, Khera, Anandasangaree, and Valdez, in our last statement.