Summary Yasir Naqvi became on Monday Canada`s first minister of Pakistani descent.
TORONTO (Web Desk) – Pakistan-born Canadian Yasir Naqvi was sown in as minister for labour in the Ontario cabinet of Kathleen Wynne who recently succeeded veteran politician Dalton McGuinty. Mr McGuinty resigned last year as Premier (chief minister) and head of Liberal Party in the province.
“I’m excited, the responsibility given to me as the minister of labour. Especially in these tough economic times that we are in, where we need to work more closely with our labour partners, and I’m looking forward to that challenge,” said Naqvi, who resigned as Liberal Party President to take the job.
Naqvi was born and raised in Pakistan and emigrated to Canada with his family in 1988 at the age of 15. He is a graduate of McMaster University and the University of Ottawa Law School.
Prior to his election, Naqvi was the Associate Director and International Trade Counsel at the Centre for Trade Policy and Law (CTPL). Before joining CTPL, he practiced international trade law with Lang Michener LLP and Flavell Kubrick LLP.
Naqvi is recognized by his peers as a strong community leader and involved resident of Ottawa Centre. He sat on the Board of Directors of the Centretown Community Health Centre and has been the Co-Chair of the Capital Food Bank Blitz since 2005.
