Kayabaga named to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet

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Kayabaga named to Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet

WEB EXTRA: Arielle Kayabaga sworn in

Mark Carney has been officially sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister, and he has named a London MP to his cabinet.

London West Member of Parliament Arielle Kayabaga has been named leader of the government in the House of Commons and minister of democratic institutions.

Meaning, she is now responsible for coordinating government day-to-day business in the House of Commons and managing the overall legislative agenda of the government.

With the move into this role, Kayabaga vacates the role of parliamentary secretary to the minister of small business.

“It was incredibly exciting. we’re all very proud of Arielle,” says Ben Charlebois, President of the London West Federal Liberal Association.

“She’s done a great job here in London West. She’s been a great advocate for the community. Obviously, Prime Minister Carney thinks she’s been a great advocate.”

It’s the first time London has had a federal cabinet minister since Hon. Ed Holder served as Minister of State for Science and Technology (March 2014-August 2015) in the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“It’s great that London is getting that recognition and going to have somebody at the head table,” says Charlebois.

“(But) before she gets to do a lot of the work that she’s been entrusted with, we first have to win another mandate.”

Before being elected as an MP in 2021 assuming the role after Kate Young, Kayabaga was a London city councillor.

She came to Canada as a child, escaping a civil war in Burundi, East Africa.