Yasir Naqvi
MP
Naqvi in 2021
Member of Parliament
for Ottawa Centre
Assumed office
September 20, 2021
Preceded byCatherine McKenna
39th Attorney General of Ontario
In office
June 13, 2016 – June 29, 2018
PremierKathleen Wynne
Preceded byMadeleine Meilleur
Succeeded byCaroline Mulroney
Member of the Provincial Parliament
for Ottawa Centre
In office
October 10, 2007 – June 6, 2018
Preceded byRichard Patten
Succeeded byJoel Harden
More...
Personal details
Born (1973-01-25) January 25, 1973
Karachi, Pakistan
NationalityCanadian
Political partyLiberal
Other political
affiliations		Ontario Liberal
Children2
Residence(s)Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Alma materMcMaster University (BA,BSc), University of Ottawa (LLB), Carleton University (MA), Rotman School of Management
Occupation
  • Lawyer
  • politician

Yasir Abbas Naqvi MP (born January 25, 1973) is a Canadian politician who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Ottawa Centre since the 2021 federal election, sitting as a Liberal. Prior to his election to the House of Commons, Naqvi was active in Ontario provincial politics, serving as the first visible-minority attorney general of Ontario (2016–2018), minister of community safety and correctional services (2014–2016), and minister of labour (2013–2014). He represented Ottawa Centre in the Legislative Assembly. On June 3, 2023, Naqvi announced his candidacy for the 2023 Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Election in which he came third.[1]

Background

Naqvi was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan and immigrated to Canada with his family after his father was jailed for nine months for leading a pro-democracy demonstration.[2][3]

In 1988, at the age of 15, Naqvi settled in Niagara Falls, Ontario with his family. Naqvi attended McMaster University and graduated with a degree in Political Science and Life Science.

Just two years after arriving in Canada, Naqvi volunteered in the 1990 provincial election. He has been involved with the Liberal Party of Canada and the Liberal Party of Ontario ever since.[4]

He went on to attend the University of Ottawa Law School and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2001. He began practicing in international trade law at Flavell Kubrick LLP, where he eventually became a partner.[5]

He left Flavell Kubrick in 2005 to work for Land Michener LLP. In 2007, Naqvi joined the Centre for Trade Policy and Law at Carleton University. He also served as President of the Liberal Party of Ontario from October 2009 until February 2013.[3]

The Ottawa Citizen named Naqvi as one of its "People to Watch in 2010", with a profile in the January 9, 2010 Saturday Observer headlined "Yasir Naqvi, he's a firecracker".[6] Ottawa Life magazine also included him in its Tenth Annual "Top 50 People in the Capital" list for 2010.[2] In a September 2011 column, Adam Radwanski of The Globe and Mail called Naqvi "possibly the hardest-working constituency MPP in the province."[7]

Naqvi was also recognized by Carleton University in 2017 as part of their 75 for the 75th series, which highlighted 75 notable alumni in the Faculty of Public Affairs in honour of the University’s 75th anniversary.[8]

Prior to entering politics he volunteered with a number of community associations including the Centretown Community Health Centre and the Ottawa Food Bank.[2]

Political career

Ontario provincial politics

The Ontario Liberal Party nomination in the riding of Ottawa Centre was opened up in March 2007 when incumbent MPP and Peterson era cabinet minister Richard Patten announced that he would not seek re-election. Naqvi competed against long time Ottawa City Councillor Diane Deans, who was backed by the central party and endorsed by Patten, for the nomination. In the general election, he defeated New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Will Murray by 2,094 votes.[9] He was successful in seeking re-election in both in 2011 and 2014.[10][11]

He was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to Rick Bartolucci, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, in the cabinet announcement of 30 October 2007.[12] On 3 October 2008, he was named Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Revenue Dwight Duncan. On 24 June 2009, a cabinet shuffle moved John Wilkinson into the role of Minister of Revenue and Naqvi was kept on as his Parliamentary Assistant. On 2 September 2010, Naqvi was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Education Leona Dombrowsky.[13]

Naqvi introduced six Private Member's Bills – the "Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act",[14] the "City of Ottawa Amendment Act", the "Escaping Domestic Violence Act", the "College and University Student Associations Act", the "Enhancing Red Light Camera System Enforcement Act", and the "Protection of Public Participation Act". Parts of the City of Ottawa Amendment Act were passed as part of the 2010 budget and parts of the Escaping Domestic Violence Act were passed in March 2016 as part of the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act. On 17 September 2009, Naqvi introduced a co-sponsored notion with NDP member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) France Gélinas declaring the third week of February "Kindness Week", inspired by a successful Kindness Week initiative underway in Ottawa.[15] Naqvi also co-sponsored Toby's Act with NDP MPP France Gelinas and Progressive Conservative (PC) MPP Christine Elliott which added gender identity and gender expression to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Yasir Naqvi in 2021

In March 2013, an article appeared in the Toronto Sun which claimed that Naqvi had endorsed an Islamist book on men physically punishing their wives.[16] The following day in the National Post, Naqvi denied having endorsed the book. The Post reported that "Naqvi acknowledged that he wrote a letter of support for the book two years ago, but says he didn't read it…. The minister says he also didn't authorize the use of his name or comments in the "reviews" section of the book."[17] Naqvi said that he wrote a congratulatory note to the author for the publication but had not read the book nor endorsed the messaging within it.[18] He also made a statement where he strongly condemned violence against women and stated, "I believe that abuse of any kind is unacceptable and I do not share the views expressed in this book".[19] In February 2013, when Kathleen Wynne took over as Premier, she appointed Naqvi to her first cabinet as Minister of Labour.[20] After the June 2014 election, Naqvi was moved to the position of Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and Government House Leader.[21] In 2016, Naqvi and the Ontario Government were criticized for the state of provincial prisons and the human rights violations of inmates.[22][23][24]

Attorney General

On 13 June 2016, he assumed the role of Attorney General following a cabinet shuffle, becoming both the first visible-minority and the first Muslim person to do so.[25]

As Attorney General of Ontario, Naqvi introduced the Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, 2017.[26] This bill created Safe access zones for abortion clinics and health-care facilities in Ontario, making it illegal to advise a person not to access abortion services, videotape or photograph a patient or provider for the purpose of discouraging them from abortion services and perform acts of disapproval about issues relating to abortion by any means. These safe access zones are in effect within 50m of abortion clinics and 150m of hospitals or offices of healthcare professionals that provide abortion services.[27]

In a 2018 article naming him one of the 25 Most Influential in the Justice System and Legal Profession, Naqvi was “credited by voters as pulling Ontario’s court system into the future with his Digital Justice Action Plan, putting wireless internet in courtrooms, instituting the use of email and text for jury summons, as well as initiating a 2017 website that digitized the filing of civil claims.”

Naqvi unsuccessfully sought a fourth mandate in the June 2018 Ontario general election.[28] He came in second behind New Democrat Joel Harden.[29]

In his brief time away from politics, Naqvi was appointed CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC).[30]

Federal politics

Naqvi was elected for the Liberal Party of Canada in Ottawa-Centre on September 20, 2021, handily winning his seat with 45.5% of the popular vote. He was chosen to serve as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness.

As a Member of Parliament, Naqvi has served on the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) as well as on the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency (DEDC).[31]

In July 2022, Naqvi announced the creation of the Downtown Ottawa Revitalization Task Force to explore ideas and create recommendations that will assist policymakers in the reimagining of downtown Ottawa.[32]

Naqvi was "disappointed" regarding the reopening of Wellington Road, in front of the Parliament of Canada, citing this would result in having cars and buses return to the street, even though the City of Ottawa planned bicycle lanes, further enhancing commuting. He indicated that he preferred having "conversations" to find a good result for Wellington Street.[33]

Naqvi resigned from his role as a Parliamentary Secretary in March 2023 as he began seriously considering running in the 2023 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election.[34] He officially announced his run on June 3, 2023 and has not indicated whether he will resign from his federal seat.[35][36]

Ontario Liberal leadership campaign

Naqvi returned to the provincial scene in 2023 running for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, while remaining a federal MP. He placed third in the 2023 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election behind Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie, who won the vote, and runner-up Nathaniel Erskine-Smith.[37]

Electoral record

2021 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalYasir Naqvi33,82545.50–3.16
New DemocraticAngella MacEwen24,55233.03+3.99
ConservativeCarol Clemenhagen11,65015.67+3.10
GreenAngela Keller-Herzog2,1152.84–4.56
People'sRegina Watteel1,6052.16+1.25
Animal ProtectionShelby Bertrand2610.35+0.09
CommunistAlex McDonald2010.27+0.13
IndependentRich Joyal1320.18-
Total valid votes 74,341
Total rejected ballots 497
Turnout 74,83877.17
Eligible voters 96,979
Liberal hold Swing –3.58
Source: Elections Canada[38]
2018 Ontario general election: Ottawa Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticJoel Harden29,67546.08+25.69
LiberalYasir Naqvi21,11132.78-18.89
Progressive ConservativeColleen McCleery10,32716.03-2.08
GreenCherie Wong2,2663.52-4.22
None of the AboveMarc Adornato4370.68
LibertarianBruce A. Faulkner3850.60-0.96
CommunistStuart Ryan1100.17-0.35
Canadians' ChoiceJames Sears920.14
Total valid votes 64,403100.0  
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +22.29
Source: Elections Ontario[39]
2014 Ontario general election: Ottawa Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalYasir Naqvi27,68952.02+4.86
New DemocraticJennifer McKenzie10,89420.47−8.74
Progressive ConservativeRob Dekker9,67818.18−0.21
GreenKevin O'Donnell4,1637.82+3.42
LibertarianBruce A. Faulkner5250.99+1.08
CommunistLarry L. Wasslen2830.53+0.21
Total valid votes 53,232 100.0   +5.74
Liberal hold Swing +6.80
Source(s)
"Election Night Results – General Election Results by District – 062, Ottawa Centre – Unofficial". Elections Ontario. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
2011 Ontario general election: Ottawa Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalYasir Naqvi23,64646.81+11.90$ 102,168.00
New DemocraticAnil Naidoo14,71529.13−1.7783,779.02
Progressive ConservativeRob Dekker9,25718.33−1.5927,933.58
GreenKevin O'Donnell2,1844.32−8.035,902.64
IndependentKristina Chapman3090.61 3,418.00
LibertarianMichal Zeithammel2400.48 0.00
CommunistStuart Ryan1600.32−0.07394.11
Total valid votes / expense limit 50,511 100.00 −3.41 $ 112,575.19
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 290 0.57 −0.13
Turnout 50,801 53.74 −4.51
Eligible voters 94,533   +4.57
Liberal hold Swing +6.34
Source(s)
"Summary of Valid Votes Cast for Each Candidate – October 6, 2011 General Election" (PDF). Elections Ontario. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
"Statistical Summary – General Elections 2011" ( Excel Spreadsheet). Elections Ontario. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
"2011 Candidate Campaign Returns (CR-1)". Retrieved 28 May 2014.
Election signs for the major party Ottawa Centre candidates during the 2007 election
2007 Ontario general election: Ottawa Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalYasir Naqvi18,25534.91−10.19$ 74,103.43
New DemocraticWill Murray16,16130.90+7.9276,746.81
Progressive ConservativeTrina Morissette10,41619.92−2.7741,039.06
GreenGreg Laxton6,45812.35+4.629,967.33
Family CoalitionDanny Moran5160.99 627.00
IndependentRichard Eveleigh2830.54 70.00
CommunistStuart Ryan2040.39−0.23928.61
Total valid votes/expense limit 52,293 100.0   +5.79 $ 97,635.24
Total rejected ballots 366 0.70 −0.02
Turnout 52,659 58.25 +2.62
Eligible voters 90,403   +1.00
Source(s)
"Summary of Valid Votes Cast for Each Candidate – October 10, 2007 General Election" (PDF). Elections Ontario. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
"Statistical Summary – General Elections 2007" (PDF). Elections Ontario. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
"2007 Candidate Campaign Returns (CR-1)". Retrieved 28 May 2014.

References

  1. ↑ "MP Yasir Naqvi officially joins Ontario Liberal leadership race: 'My mission is to defeat Doug Ford'". thestar.com. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Lochhead, Kimberly; Hartley, Jen; Cornforth, Rob. "Tenth Annual TOP 50 People in the Capital". Ottawa Life. Archived from the original on 17 September 2010.
  3. 1 2 Coyle, Jim (30 October 2009). "Life in politics a 'badge of honour'". Toronto Star.
  4. ↑ "Yasir Naqvi - Member of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada".
  5. ↑ "Yasir Naqvi". LinkedIn.
  6. ↑ "Yasir Naqvi — 'He's a firecracker". Ottawa Citizen. 9 January 2010.
  7. ↑ "The race that could make Ottawans forget federal politics for a while". The Globe and Mail. 8 September 2011.
  8. ↑ "Yasir Naqvi".
  9. ↑ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 10 October 2007. p. 10 (xix). Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  10. ↑ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 6 October 2011. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  11. ↑ "General Election by District: Ottawa Centre". Elections Ontario. 12 June 2014.
  12. ↑ Ferguson, Rob; Benzie, Robert (31 October 2007). "Premier goes for new blood; Expanded 28-member cabinet has eight ministers from Toronto, three from 905 area". Toronto Star. p. A13.
  13. ↑ "Parliamentary Assistants Ready For New Portfolios". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 2 September 2010.
  14. ↑ "Ottawa MPP to introduce own SCAN legislation". Ottawa Citizen. 2 June 2008.
  15. ↑ "Choose to be Kind!". United Way of Ottawa. 8 January 2013.
  16. ↑ "Book on Islam condoning hitting wives features letter from Ontario labour minister". Toronto Sun. 11 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "Ontario labour minister says he didn't read book on Islam condoning spousal abuse before writing letter of support". National Post. 12 March 2013.
  18. ↑ "Premier stands by labour minister over controversial book". CBC News. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  19. ↑ Jeffords, Shawn (11 March 2023). "Book on Islam condoning hitting wives features letter from Ontario labour minister". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  20. ↑ "Ontario's new cabinet". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ont. 12 February 2013. p. A3.
  21. ↑ Richard Brennan; Robert Benzie; Rob Ferguson (24 June 2014). "Kathleen Wynne warns financial cupboard is bare". Toronto Star.
  22. ↑ "David Reevely: Yasir Naqvi's credibility on jail reform in pieces after shower-cell admission". National Post. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "Ontario knew about Capay's solitary confinement plight for months". Macleans. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  24. ↑ "Ontario won't commit to ending use of mental illness as a reason for solitary confinement". Global News. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  25. ↑ "Yasir Naqvi appointed Ontario's AG as Kathleen Wynne shuffles cabinet". CBC News. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  26. ↑ "Ontario Newsroom". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  27. ↑ "Safe access zones | ontario.ca". www.ontario.ca. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  28. ↑ Dickson, Janice (28 May 2018). "Door-knocking with Naqvi: once a safe Liberal seat, now rife with uncertainty". CTV News. BellMedia. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  29. ↑ Britneff, Beatrice. "Ottawa voters turf Naqvi, Chiarelli in Ontario election". Global News. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  30. ↑ "News release: Yasir Naqvi appointed CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship". Institute for Canadian Citizenship. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  31. ↑ "Yasir Naqvi - Member of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  32. ↑ "Yasir Naqvi". yasirnaqvi.libparl.ca. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  33. ↑ "Debate on future of Wellington Street at Parliament Hill continues". CBS News. 28 April 2023.
  34. ↑ "Yasir Naqvi drops parliamentary roles in move towards Ontario Liberal leadership bid". CBC News. The Canadian Press. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  35. ↑ Naqvi, Yasir [@Yasir_Naqvi] (3 June 2023). "Today in Ontario, the status quo just isn't good enough. The promise of our great province is slipping away. Ontarians deserve better and that is why, today, I am proud to launch our campaign to lead @OntLiberal! 👉 http://yasirnaqvi.ca" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. ↑ Elbayoumi, Ahmad. "SCOOP: It's Naqvi's turn". www.nbpolicorner.ca. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  37. ↑ "Bonnie Crombie wins Ontario Liberal leadership race, says party focused on beating Doug Ford". CBC News. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  38. ↑ "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  39. ↑ "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. p. 6. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
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