Our Heroes
Canada’s Industry Minister:
Navdeep Singh Bains
WIKIPEDIA
Navdeep Singh Bains, PC MP (born June 16, 1977) is a Canadian politician from Ontario, Canada. He is a Liberal member of the House of Commons of Canada now representing the riding of Mississauga - Malton since his election in October 2015.
He previously represented the riding of Mississauga - Brampton South from 2004 to 2011.
On November 4, 2015, he was appointed the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet.
Navdeep was born in Toronto, Ontario on June 16, 1977 to entrepreneur immigrant parents. He grew up in the Toronto neighbourhood of Jane and Finch before moving to Brampton where his family still resides. In Brampton, he attended Helen Wilson Elementary School, and W.G. Davis Middle School before attending Turner Fenton Secondary School.
Navdeep took a leadership role in organizing drop-in basketball games for local youth. In addition he was involved with a mentoring program for grade school students, both helping them with their homework as well as providing a positive role model.
After completing high school Navdeep attended York University where he received his Bachelor of Administrative Studies in 1999. He then went on to finish his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Windsor in 2001. He has also received his Certified Management Accounting designation.
Before entering politics, Navdeep worked in the Finance Department at Ford Motor Company where he worked as a revenue and cost analyst. In addition, he worked as a financial analyst at Nike Canada.
In 2004, Navdeep won the Liberal nomination for the riding of Mississauga - Brampton South in a close race. He defeated three political veterans; winning on the first ballot. Before taking part in the race, he had been considered an underdog because he was only 26 years old.
When Navdeep was elected for the first time in 2004 he was the youngest Liberal MP in Parliament. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister for 53 days in 2005, and was sworn in as a Privy Councillor.
In October 2005, Navdeep also became a member of the Red Ribbon Task Force.
In addition, during the 38th Parliament, he was on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics and also on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development. In April 2005, he was elected Chair which he held until October 31, 2005.
During the leadership race for the Liberal Party, Navdeep threw his support behind Ontario Education Minister Gerard Kennedy. He believed Kennedy represented renewal and a strong progressive view of where the Party should be heading. When Kennedy dropped out before the third ballot, he joined Kennedy in supporting the eventual winner and new party leader, Stéphane Dion.
Since 2006, Navdeep has been appointed the Official Opposition Critic for Public Works and Government Services, Treasury Board, International Trade and Natural Resources, respectively. He also sat on the Caucus Committees for Planning and Priorities, Canada and the World and Economic Prosperity.
In January 2007, Bains was appointed to the National Election Readiness Committee as a Caucus Representative and in March 2007 served as the Youth Liaison to the Young Liberals of Canada.
In 2006 he co-chaired the Ontario Liberal Party's AGM in Toronto. Because of his position in the Party and the roles he has been given, Navdeep is seen as a rising star, and has been selected 3 years in a row in the ‘Hill Times’ survey as the best up-and-comer.
In January 2009, he was appointed Co-Chair of the Special Committee on Party Renewal and tasked with leading a comprehensive process to consult with the membership and create a stronger Liberal Party. In March 2009, Navdeep was appointed Chair of Platform Development and given responsibility for managing the creation of the party’s next election platform.
In the past, Navdeep has sat on the following House of Commons’ Committees: Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics; Finance; Government Operations and Estimates; International Trade; Natural Resources; Public Works and the Foreign Affairs and Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development where he served as Chairman. He was also a member of the Canada-US and the Canada-India Friendship Groups.
Navdeep currently resides in Mississauga with his wife Brahamjot Kaur. He is father to two daughters, Nanki Kaur and Kirpa Kaur.
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Please CLICK here to watch video of Minister Navdeep Singh Bains being given charge of The Great Seal of Canada in his added role as The Registrar General of Canada.
November 5, 2015