Virtual Event: The Honourable Marco Mendicino
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
” Immigration: Opening Our Doors to People and Prosperity “
Nov 13, 2020
For nearly two centuries, Canada has been built through immigration. While COVID-19 has disrupted migration across the globe, the contributions of newcomers have been critical throughout the pandemic, and immigration is more vital than ever to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity. From the turn of the century, to the post-World War II boom, to significant growth of the past few years, immigration has always been the path to a stronger, more innovative and more resilient Canada. Today is no different.
Join Canadian Club Toronto and The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, to hear about how immigration will continue to drive the economy, help us recover from the impact of COVID-19, and build the Canada of the future.
Biography:
Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
The Honourable Marco Mendicino is a family man and at the centre of his life are his wife Diana and their two daughters, Michaela and Gemma.
Minister Mendicino was recently appointed as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship by the Prime Minister. In this new role he will be working with his Parliamentary colleagues to advance smart immigration policies that contribute to economic growth, reunite families, live up to Canada’s responsibilities to the most vulnerable, and lift up communities.
In 2018, he was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, where he represented the Minister in getting innovative, green infrastructure built from coast to coast to coast.
In early 2017, was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, where he helped to advance important government priorities such as criminal justice reform, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and restorative justice.
A passionate advocate, Minister Mendicino has dedicated his career to keeping our community safe. As a federal prosecutor for nearly ten years, he fought against organized crime and put terrorists – including members of the “Toronto 18” – behind bars. He also worked at the Law Society of Upper Canada and served as President of the Association of Justice Counsel for two terms — a national association representing nearly 3,000 federal prosecutors and government lawyers employed by the Government of Canada. Minister Mendicino had testified before the House of Commons and the Senate to advocate for better laws on organized crime and access to justice.
Most recently, Minister Mendicino co-ran a law firm that helps organizations enforce professional standards and resolve workplace conflicts. He is also committed to education and mentoring young lawyers. He has been an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School and regularly spoke at conferences both here and abroad.
Minister Mendicino cares deeply about his community. He has sat on numerous boards and has been involved with the John Wanless Childcare Centre, John Wanless Public School, North Toronto Soccer Club, COSTI Immigration Services, the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee and Heart & Stroke Canada. Minister Mendicino has worked on specific initiatives to improve our schools, including the installation of a new turf field at John Wanless Public School and the creation of a lunch program for families with children going into FDK. On weekends, you’ll see him coaching both of his girls at the Eglinton Park soccer field.
Shortly after his arrival in Ottawa, he was elected chair of the Ontario Caucus, the largest caucus in parliament, by his peers. As Caucus Chair, he helped guide and establish the Caucus’ priorities, ensure the orderly flow of business in Caucus, and relay any important information directly to the Prime Minister’s Office. In addition to his role as Caucus Chair, Minister Mendicino also sat on the committee for Public Safety and National Security as well as the Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulations.
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