Ali Ehsassi
- Born
- April 24, 1970 — Geneva, Switzerland
- Education
- BA, University of Toronto; MSc, London School of Economics; LLB, York University Osgoode Hall Law School; Masters of International Trade and Arbitration Law, Georgetown University Law School
- Political Experience
- Liberal Member of Parliament for Willowdale since 2015; Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement (March 14, 2025 – May 13, 2025); Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy (2025)
- Notable
- One of the first two Canadians of Iranian heritage elected to federal Parliament; Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and other Crimes against Humanity; Co-Chair of the 416 Caucus; Opposes the Iranian government.
Where Ali falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Ali Ehsassi won with 25,488 votes (53.4%)
Total votes cast: 47,689
I have a point of order, Chair.
Thank you for assuring everyone that you're moving aggressively on this issue. It seems to me that the member opposite doesn't understand that there is due process and that we live in a rule of law country. How are things proceeding? Can you give us a sense as to where we're going to be pretty soon?
Mr. Chair, it's really unbecoming of a member of this committee to ask a witness a question—
I'm not attempting to do that.
My point of order is that this is not the way to go about asking witnesses questions, and the member, Mr. Caputo, is fully aware of that. He has been around long enough. You cannot ask a person a question and then, when they are attempting to respond comprehensively, cut them off and not allow them to provide you the response.
It would be fair to say, given everything that your department is doing, that it also has a deterrent effect in the sense that anyone who was considering coming to Canada is no longer considering that option, I would hope.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you also to the minister for being here once again and for providing very comprehensive responses to all the questions put to him. I want to follow up on a question that was asked of you. Unfortunately, you were interrupted. I know you take the issue of IRGC individuals here on Canadian soil very seriously. You have personally told me that. Of course, I [more]
We can move on to the next question. As an example, in the event that among the Five Eyes, several countries have designated a group as a sponsor of terrorism or as engaging in terrorist activity within their own jurisdictions, should they come to New Zealand requesting information? Would that information that has been requested be forthcoming from your authorities on that basis?
I'll follow up on the question my colleague, MP Acan, asked about data-sharing permission forms. How does that process work? I think she had a follow-up question for you. She wasn't quite sure how the forms operate and who authorizes them.
You don't just look at whether a particular individual they're asking for information about actually engaged in criminal activity only in your jurisdiction; you would also be forthcoming with information if that individual had engaged in criminal activity in another jurisdiction.
Thank you.