Sean Fraser
- Born
- 1984 — Nova Scotia
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, Sean Fraser worked as a lawyer. He practiced commercial litigation and international dispute resolution. He reportedly worked for the large law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Calgary, Alberta. He also has experience in international law, having studied at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Upon becoming a cabinet minister, any significant assets would typically be placed in a blind trust to avoid conflicts of interest, as per federal ethics rules. Public records from the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner may contain further details on his disclosed assets and liabilities.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a senior cabinet minister in the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Sean Fraser is a key member of the Liberal Party's leadership team. He has held several high-profile portfolios, including Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and later Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, indicating a significant level of trust from the Prime Minister. In his role, he works closely with provincial and municipal leaders across Canada on major files like housing and immigration. He is also a prominent political figure in Atlantic Canada, representing the interests of his region within the federal government.
Public Controversies
During his time as Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser's department faced significant public criticism over massive backlogs in processing applications for immigration, visas, and citizenship. While the government increased immigration targets to record levels under his leadership, the long wait times and administrative challenges were a source of ongoing controversy and frustration for many applicants. More recently, as Minister of Housing, he was involved in a controversy regarding a government announcement in his own riding. In 2023, he participated in a photo opportunity at a new apartment building that received millions in federal funding. It was later reported by media outlets that the rental prices for units in the building were very high, leading to criticism that the government was subsidizing expensive, market-rate housing rather than creating affordable options.
Where Sean falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
How does Sean Fraser's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, drug trafficking is a very serious offence that can claim the lives of innocent people in this country. The case to which the hon. member refers is currently under the appeal period, during which the independent Public Prosecution Service of Canada has an opportunity to make a decision, separate and apart from the political arm of government, as to whether it is in the interest of
Mr. Speaker, those who traffic in serious drugs that create serious harm are committing a crime, and that is the law in Canada today. When it comes to the specific case the member mentioned, it is currently within the period for appeals, which are going to be determined by the independent Public Prosecution Service. As was the case under the previous Conservative government, there is respect on
Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsor of the private member's bill for starting a conversation on a very important issue. I am pleased to share with the Leader of the Opposition that just a few hours ago, I announced that Canada would be moving forward with the exclusion of medical assistance in dying for people who are seeking that on the sole basis of a mental illness. We are going to be moving
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her work to advance an important conversation when it comes to mental illness as the sole underlying mental condition that would justify medical assistance in dying in this country. This is a serious conversation. However, I would like to point out one inaccuracy in her question that is very important. Today, there is no access to medical assistance in
Mr. Speaker, before I answer, I would like to thank my colleague for this question. It is very important to recognize that we need to implement the new legislation that the House passed during the last parliamentary session. We have put forward a series of different laws that tackle, very specifically, crimes such as arson and violent crimes involving auto theft. We are seeing nationally the
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to admit that it was this side of the House that adopted laws that actually made stronger penalties be put in place for serious crimes. Those laws were developed in collaboration with law enforcement, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. Every regional police organization not only fed into the process but endorsed the measures that we implemented after the fact.
Mr. Speaker, my colleague is well aware that we introduced a bill to combat serious crime in our communities and to make the criminal justice system tougher on those who commit offences. We have not only put forward laws that are going to do more to keep violent offenders behind bars. We have also included stronger supports for participants and families when it comes to their role, when it comes
Mr. Speaker, the member cannot be serious. The member had the opportunity not just to take action but even to offer his thoughts when it came to the bills that we put forward to help protect communities. What did he actually do? He voted against the measures to strengthen security in this country, and his entire caucus sought to delay the implementation of the very bills they have been calling
Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, when a person with a temporary or non-permanent immigration status commits a serious crime, they should face the full range of the consequences permissible under the law. Oftentimes, that includes deportation, but the Supreme Court of Canada actually rendered judgment on this issue in 2013, indicating that courts retained the jurisdiction to hear a range of
Bail and Sentencing Reform Act Mr. Speaker, one of the interesting experiences I had when we were putting together the measures that were included in thewas meeting with police leadership in Peel. They set out a list of items that we could implement that would have the predictable result of bringing the crime rate down. We listened to the police in Peel. We listened to the police in Ontario. We
Mr. Speaker, my colleague asked a direct question: When are we going to adopt laws to get tough on car thefts? The answer is June of this past year. We developed these laws not in isolation behind closed doors but by meeting with police. They have garnered the support of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Association of Ontario. Even the cops in his own community are
Mr. Speaker, let me first condemn the behaviour of anyone who takes part in the trade or trafficking of fentanyl or other dangerous drugs that have the potential to take the lives of Canadians. For our part, we have advanced a series of major legal reforms to ensure that criminals who commit serious crimes that pose a danger to the public find themselves behind bars. We also believe that the
No.
I'm not aware of any objections to specific applications. Not every one of these conversations was with me personally. However, based on my review of the materials and the conversations I did have, there was no suggestion that there was one candidate who should not be named. The conversations, frankly, more often revolved around the characteristics that would make a good appointee rather than
Do I remember when the appointment was made? Not off the top of my head.