Bardish Chagger
- Born
- April 6, 1980
- Education
- Bachelor of Science, University of Waterloo
- Career
- Executive assistant to Andrew Telegdi; Director of special events for the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre
- Political Experience
- MP for Waterloo since 2015; Minister of Small Business and Tourism (2015-2018); Government House Leader (2016-2019); Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth (2019-2021); Chair of the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
- Notable
- First woman to serve as Government House Leader; involved in the WE Charity scandal
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics, Bardish Chagger worked as an executive assistant for former Member of Parliament Andrew Telegdi for several years. She also worked at the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, where she was a special projects coordinator. Her public disclosures as an MP have not indicated significant private business holdings or investments outside of standard assets for a person of her position.
Key Relationships & Connections
Bardish Chagger has a long-standing political connection to former Liberal MP Andrew Telegdi, for whom she worked as an executive assistant before running for office herself. As a prominent member of the Liberal government, she is a key ally of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who appointed her to several high-profile cabinet positions, including Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth.
Public Controversies
Bardish Chagger was a central figure in the WE Charity controversy in 2020. As the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, her department was responsible for the Canada Student Service Grant program, which the government awarded to the WE Charity to administer. She faced intense scrutiny and questioning at parliamentary committees regarding the decision-making process and what she knew about the organization's financial issues and its close ties to the families of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then-Finance Minister Bill Morneau. The program was ultimately cancelled. Separately, in 2017, Chagger faced criticism over expenses filed during her time as Government House Leader. Reports highlighted over $12,000 in hospitality expenses for a two-day retreat, which included what was described by opposition critics as a "partysize" bill for food and drinks, as well as limousine services. Chagger defended the expenses as being appropriate for the event.
Where Bardish falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Bardish Chagger won with 37,579 votes (59.5%)
Total votes cast: 63,193
How does Bardish Chagger's voting record line up with your values?
On recommendation 4, which specifically addresses registration requirements with respect to the awarding of grants and contributions, can you walk us through why you included this as one of your recommendations?
Commissioner, it's nice to have you here at committee. I'm a new member to this committee, so I'm looking forward to our discussion. I do want to congratulate you on your top-ranking status. You should be very proud of that. I think that having a team member who is working so hard, and recognizing that, goes a long way, so congratulations to you and the entire team. Since I am a new member, as
Thank you. I just want to get it on the record. Mr. Ho gives the impression that it's just Liberals who are under the act, who you deal with. Could you just remind us of who you deal with?
That's excellent. As a follow-up to the first round, what additional compliance measures are you looking for under recommendation 17?
Commissioner, can you share who you consulted with as individuals or organizations before arriving at your recommendations for the Lobbying Act? Can you tell us a little more about the process before you came to your recommendations?
As a follow-up, can you walk us through the difference between the two main components, the regulation of lobbying and internal services?
For the newbies like me, do you want to just remind people what O and M means and what an MOU is?
I'm just going to jump back to the top, to investigations and compliance measures. What additional compliance measures are you looking for under recommendation 17?
They would be able to perhaps share how complicated it is to understand it or not, or do you just have the impression that it's complicated?
However, you have gained those insights.
Otherwise, is the file returned to you?
I have no doubt that the police and the RCMP take their role seriously, so matters are being looked at and they are being addressed. A report to Parliament would allow the public to know what's taking place, because it would be a public report. I just don't want the impression that things don't get taken seriously. They are addressed. Sometimes I have conversations, “I want to determine