News

We need a Canada Disability Benefit now!

Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, we need a Canada Disability Benefit now. Canadians are expecting to see it featured in the upcoming budget. I…

Why can't Canada get the families of Canadians out of Gaza?

On Wednesday, March 20, at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked the Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship…

Canada lifts its temporary pause on Funding to UNWRA

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced that Canada will be lifting its temporary pause on funding to the United Nations Relief…

Does climate change's impact on water supply affect food security?

On February 27th, during a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, I asked witnesses about the impact of…

The new cap on visas for international students

On February 28, 2024 at a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked the Honourable Marc Miller ,…

Canada Should Renew UNWRA Funding

UNRWA is the only organization with the staff and facilities on the ground in Gaza capable of providing the support Gazans need. Canada should renew…

Congratulations to Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews!

Today, as Black History Month came to a close, I rose in the House to pay tribute to the remarkable life and career of Peel…

ISLAMABAD VISA PROCESSING CENTRE UPDATE

At a recent meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees…

Happy Lunar New Year!

Greetings for Lunar New Year from Liberal Members of Parliament for the Chinese-Canadian, Vietnamese-Canadian and Korean-Canadian communities. 龙年快乐 Chúc mừng năm mới! 새해 복 많이…

Happy Black History Month!

February is Black History Month. The theme this year is Black Excellence. Members of the National Liberal Caucus got together to create a video celebrating…

Canada should reinstate UNWRA funding for Gaza

Today I rose in the House to call on our government to reinstate UNWRA funding for Gaza. https://youtu.be/CjBB_N07tt0

This week I traveled to Palestine

This week I travelled with 4 other MPs to Jordan, Jerusalem and the West Bank to hear from Palestinians and workers in agencies helping on…

South Africa v. Israel at the ICJ: my statement

This is the full text of my statement about the case of South Africa v. Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The new Canadian Dental Care Plan has launched

A third of the people living in Canada do not have dental insurance. In 2022, one in four Canadians reported avoiding visiting an oral health…

Improving Canadian Visa Services for applicants in Pakistan

On Tuesday, December 5, 2023 I asked Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship about her department's efforts to enhance its services in…

Canada Disability Benefit Consultation on Regulations

In the spirit of “Nothing About Us, Without Us”, the Government of Canada is gathering feedback from persons with disabilities from a range of backgrounds…

The Library of Parliament is recruiting university students to be bilingual parliamentary guides

We are looking for next summer’s parliamentary guides! To be eligible, you must be: • bilingual in English and French • a university student in…

Call for Proposals - Information Sessions - Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability component

Minister Khera has launched call for proposals (CFP) under two streams of the Social Development Partnerships Program - Canada.ca – Disability component (SDPP-D). The Disability…

Remembrance Day: Lest we forget!

[video width="960" height="540" mp4="http://shafqatali.libparl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/178/2023/11/20231111-Remembrance-Day-Rogers-Video.mp4"][/video] On this Remembrance Day, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our brave veterans and their families who fought for…

The situation in Gaza and the need for a ceasefire

https://youtu.be/xj0acs9xNtM Today I rose in the House to speak about the situation of innocent civilians in Gaza and to call for an immediate ceasefire, an…

IMPROVING VISA PROCESSING TIMES IN PAKISTAN

IMPROVING VISA PROCESSING TIMES IN PAKISTAN Today in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister…

VISAS FOR INDIANS

VISAS FOR INDIANS Today at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees…

Housing for Brampton

https://youtu.be/U-x6Iu81P5U Today, during Question Period, I asked the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities for an update on the work our government…

Great news today for housing in Brampton!

[caption id="attachment_909" align="alignnone" width="300"] PM Trudeau, Mayor Patrick Brown and members of caucus visit a construction site in Brampton. October 20, 2023.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_911" align="alignnone"…

October is Canadian Islamic History Month

https://youtu.be/WVT4YBcyvoA Today, I rose in the House of Commons to remind everyone to join in the celebration of Canadian Islamic History Month in October. Mr.…

Starting today, low- and modest-income Canadians and families will begin receiving their new, one-time Grocery Rebate.

  Starting today, low- and modest-income Canadians and families will begin receiving their new, one-time Grocery Rebate. This targeted inflation relief will provide up to…

Happy Canada Day!

[video width="960" height="540" mp4="http://shafqatali.libparl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/178/2023/06/20230701-Happy-Canada-Day.mp4"][/video] Happy Canada Day! Today we celebrate the country we love. Whether you are indigenous to this land or have called it…

Thank you, Minister and Colleagues!

Today, I rose in the House of Commons to commend the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship for his timely action in suspending deportation of…

Immigration Minister takes action to help international students victimized by fraudulent consultants

Today, at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship about his plan to…

From the beginning, we've been making life more affordable in Brampton Centre!

I am so proud of our government. From day one, our government has been making life more affordable for Canadian families. That’s why in 2016…

More than 70,000 jobs for young people between 15 and 30

More than 70,000 jobs are available for young people between the ages of 15 and 30. Young job seekers can now find new opportunities in…

It's Emergency Preparedness Week. Be prepared!

[video width="1200" height="1200" mp4="http://shafqatali.libparl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/178/2023/05/2023-04-28-EPW-1200x1200-en.mp4"][/video] There are many things we can do to better prepare ourselves and our families for emergencies. Building an emergency kit. You…

May 5th is Red Dress Day

May 5th is also Red Dress Day (National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People). This is a…

May is Asian Heritage Month!

This month is a celebration of the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Asian communities in Canada. For the last two centuries, immigrants…

Bill C-11 has received Royal Assent

Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, has received Royal Assent. This will help ensure Canadian stories and music are more accessible to Canadians, and will…

The Honourable Harjit Sajjan answers my questions about Afghanistan

The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development, served 3 tours of military duty in Afghanistan. During his appearance yesterday before the Citizenship and Immigration…

Thanks to Brampton City Council for presenting the Key to the City to the Honourable Gurbax Singh Malhi

Today I rose in the House of Commons to thank Brampton City Council for presenting Hon Gurbax Singh Malhi with a Key to the City…

Eid Mubarak!

To all Muslims in Canada and around the world, I wish you a very joyous and blessed Eid Mubarak! May the Almighty (SWT) accept all…

Lost Canadians

Today, at a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked Senator Martin about her Bill S-245 which is…

Tribute to Ravjot Singh Chhatwal

Today, I rose in the House to pay tribute to, and mark the passing of Ravjot Singh Chhatwal, Division Chief, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services,…

Ramadan begins on Wednesday, March 22nd. Ramadan Mubarak!

Today I spoke in the House of Commons to inform Members of Parliament about Ramadan. "This Wednesday, March 22nd, Muslims across the world including myself,…

$500 top-up payment available to nearly 2 million renters

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home – but for many it is getting harder to afford increased rent or to…

Nominations are open for Canada's Volunteer Awards

Canada’s Volunteer Awards allow the Government to recognize the contributions that volunteers, not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises and businesses across the country make to our communities.…

February 15 is National Flag of Canada Day

On February 15, we celebrate the National Flag of Canada Day across the country. 2023 marks 58 years since Canada’s red and white maple leaf…

Today, the Prime Minister met with all thirteen premiers to work together to improve health care for Canadians.

Today, the Prime Minister met with all thirteen premiers to work together to improve health care for Canadians. For generations, our public health care system…

The Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) is now open for applications

The Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) is now open. The application process was launched on January 6, 2023, and will remain open until February 21,…

February is Black History Month

February is Black History Month, providing an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Black communities to Canada. It is also a time to listen and…

International Holocaust Remembrance Day - Friday, January 27

  Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember and pay tribute to the more than six million Jews who were systematically persecuted and murdered…

Canada announces first Special Representative on combatting Islamophobia

Islamophobia is a concrete and daily reality for Muslim communities across Canada. Our government has heard directly from impacted communities, and is stepping up its…

Celebrating Lunar New Year on Sunday, January 22, 2023

Sunday, January 22nd is Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, the Tết Festival in Vietnam, and Seollal in Korea. Lunar…

Applications are now open for Canada's Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund

Canadians are experiencing record-breaking and increasingly frequent climate events – from wildfires to extreme heat waves to floods – across the country which can cause…

We've launched our Critical Minerals Strategy

The critical minerals that we have right here at home – from nickel to lithium to aluminum – are the building blocks of a clean…

Applications for the Summer Leadership Program are open now!

The Summer Leadership Program is a unique political internship opportunity that gives young people across the country vital job experience serving in the offices of…

Merry Christmas to Christian Orthodox, Eastern Rite Catholic, and Coptic communities celebrating Christmas today!

Today, Christian Orthodox, Eastern Rite Catholic, and Coptic communities in Canada and around the world will come together to celebrate Christmas. For many, Christmas is…

January 12th is the deadline to apply for funding to hire youths this summer

Attention business owners (with 50 or less full-time employees) and not-for-profit organizations in Brampton! The employer application period for #CanadaSummerJobs is now open. You could…

Celebrating Tamil Heritage Month!

January marks the start of Tamil Heritage Month. Canada is home to one of the world’s largest Tamil diasporas. This month provides us an opportunity…

We're delivering on our promise to ban harmful single-use plastics

Canadians want a healthy environment with pristine shorelines, parks, and waterways, free of plastic pollution. That’s why our government is delivering on our promise to…

Celebrating Ontario’s historic child care milestone

Families are feeling the rising cost of living, including the cost of child care. In the last election, we promised to make child care more…

Happy Hanukkah! Chag Hanukkah Sameach!

At sunset on December 18th, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world will light the first candle on the Hanukkiah to welcome the beginning…

Update on attracting investment in Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

Today, during Question Period, I asked the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, to update the House about our government's efforts…

Saturday, December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Today, we are joining Canadians from coast to coast to coast and around the world in celebrating the 30th anniversary of International Day of Persons…

Families earning less than $90,000 will be able to apply for the Canada Dental Benefit

Starting tomorrow, December 1st, families earning less than $90,000 will be able to apply for the Canada Dental Benefit which will provide up to $1,300…

Canada launches its first-ever Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

Our Government is launching Canada’s first-ever National Adaptation Strategy help protect communities from coast to coast to coast, with $1.6 billion in new investments and…

November 20-26 is National Addiction Awareness Week

This week is National Addictions Awareness Week (November 20th-26th), which is dedicated to raising awareness about addiction and substance use related harms and reducing stigma.…

Planting millions of trees

Yesterday, our Government announced a $12.7-million contribution to Forests Ontario to plant 7.2 million trees over a span of three years through the 2 Billion…

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

November 25th marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a campaign that aims to bring people together across Canada…

Making Home Heating More Affordable for Canadians While Fighting Climate Change

Yesterday, we announced a $250 million investment for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Grant. This program will help tens of thousands of households…

Helping Canadians find a safe and affordable place to call home

Many Canadians are struggling with the rising cost of living. Last week, our legislation to provide rent supports to those who need it most became…

Toronto Pearson Airport re-opens Runway 06L/24R, its second-busiest runway, following an eight-month rehabilitation

Today, I joined Toronto Pearson CEO Deborah Flint, and my colleagues, Transport Minister the Honourable Omar Alghabra , MPs Ruby Sahota and Iqwinder S. Gaheer…

Conditions faced by Irregular border-crossing asylum seekers at Roxham Road: What can we do?

Today, during the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration study of conditions faced by asylum-seekers entering Canada irregularly at Roxham Road, I asked the Honourable…

Delivering much-needed relief for Canadians – now!

[video width="1200" height="1200" mp4="http://shafqatali.libparl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/178/2022/11/2022-11-14_FTA_1200x1200-EN.mp4"][/video]

We're welcoming more newcomer workers to address labour shortages

Yesterday, our government announced New Occupational Classification (NCO) categories aiming to address the labour shortages faced my many Canadian employers in the past year. This…

Dental care legislation has passed!

Yesterday, our legislation to make life more affordable passed! That means dental care for kids under 12.  Our plan will provide up to $1,300 over…

Veterans' Week

Every year, we honour Veterans in the leadup up to Remembrance Day on November 11. This year’s Veterans’ Week poster features a Royal Canadian Air…

Happy Gurpurab!

Today, November 8, 2022, Sikhs in Canada and around the world will celebrate Gurpurab, the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the…

Grads can postpone repaying federal student loans until they're making at least $40K a year

Beginning today, post-secondary graduates will be able to wait until they make over $40,000 a year before they’re required to begin repaying their federal student…

This November celebrates and marks the first federally recognized Hindu Heritage Month.

This November celebrates and marks the first federally recognized Hindu Heritage Month. According to the 2021 Census, in Brampton Centre 12,940 people, more than 12%…

Happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas!

Today I rose in the House of Commons to wish everyone celebrating a very Happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas! To view my statement https://youtu.be/JhKVhxCf3XI

Let's celebrate Brampton Centre's small businesses like Techlem Stretchers

During COVID-19, businesses like Brampton Centre's Techlem Stretchers stayed open to make sure that hospitals had the supplies they needed. For 60 years, Techlem has…

• Canada’s first-ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan has been released

On Friday, Minister Carla Qualtrough released Canada’s first-ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan. This Action Plan consists of current and future actions, including programs, policies and…

Thank you, Prime Minister

Yesterday, after National Caucus, I spoke with the Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau describing the devastation I had witnessed while on the recent high-level…

Happy Dussehra!

Last night, at Hindu Sabha Temple on The Gore Road, in Brampton, Navaratri, the nine days of celebration of each form of the Hindu Goddess…

Welcoming Canada's 20,000th Afghan refugee since August 2021

On Thursday, September 23, 2022, at Toronto Pearson International Airport, I joined colleague MPs Ali Ehsassi and Leah Taylor Roy to welcome 348 government-assisted Afghan…

Making Life More Affordable This Year: $500 additional support for low-income renters

Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. But for far too many Canadians, that has become increasingly hard to find with the…

New Horizons for Seniors Program calls for proposals

This year’s call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program is now open! Got a project that helps seniors stay…

Making Life More Affordable This Year: Dental Care for Children

Across the country, Canadians are struggling with the high cost of gas and groceries. That’s why the first thing we did when Parliament resumed was…

Making Life More Affordable This Year: Doubling the GST tax credit

People are feeling the rising cost of living. To help Canadians make ends meet, our government is putting more money back in the pockets of those…

Call for Proposals to assist Unions with Investments in Training Equipment

Last week, Minister Carla Qualtrough launched a call for proposals under Stream 1 of the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) – Investments in Training…

Toronto Metropolitan University Brampton Medical School

Today I joined my Brampton colleagues MPs Sonia Sidhu and Maninder Sidhu for a lunch meeting with Toronto Metropolitan University President Mohamed Lachemi and University…

Afghan Refugees Arrive at Pearson

This morning, at Toronto Pearson Airport, I greeted the arrival in Canada of more than 330 very happy and thankful passengers onboard a flight of…

Health Canada authorizes first bivalent COVID-19 booster for adults 18 years and older

Vaccination continues to be one of the most effective ways to protect families, communities and ourselves against COVID-19. Evidence indicates that the vaccines used in…

Wait times for passengers going through our busiest airports continues to decrease

Our government continues to take the delays Canadians are facing at airports seriously. With the return of travel and sector recovery this spring, countries around…

Help Share the Future of Public Transit Funding in Canada. Let's hear your ideas!

Improving public transit infrastructure helps create more inclusive communities, reduce commute times for Canadians, and fight climate change. Starting in 2026, Permanent Public Transit Funding…

A $104.9 million investment in projects to improve supply chain efficiency for Canadian airlines

Today, I joined Transport Minister Omar Alghabra , Minister Kamal Khera, and colleague MPs Sonia Sidhu, Francesco Sorbara, Maninder Sidhu. and Iqwinder S. Gaheer at…

We are on track to plant 2 billion trees across the country over 10 years

[video width="1080" height="1080" mp4="http://shafqatali.libparl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/178/2022/06/2-Billion-Trees.mp4"][/video] We are on track to plant 2 billion trees across the country over 10 years, as a key part of our…

New funding to make early learning and child care centres accessible

On Wednesday, June 22nd, during Question Period, I asked about new funding to make licensed early learning and child care centres accessible, safe and inclusive…

Thursday, June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21st marks National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD), a time to honour the rich cultures, unique traditions, and important contributions of First Nations, Inuit and…

Kids Help Phone to provide culturally-sensitive phone counselling services

In 2021, Canada was the global leader in refugee resettlement. Providing refuge and assistance to vulnerable newcomers is about more than helping them arrive in…

Banning Harmful Single-Use Plastics

Plastic pollutes our lakes, rivers, and oceans, and many Canadians are rightly concerned. We made a promise to Canadians to ban harmful, single-use plastics. Now,…

Mississauga Halal Food Festival returns after a 2 year absence

Congratulations to @universal_amir  and his team at Universal Promotions for the extremely successful return, after 2 long years, of the Mississauga Halal Food Fest at Celebration…

Old Age Security increases in July for seniors 75 and older

Old Age Security pension payments will increase by 10% if you are a pensioner aged 75 years or older starting with the OAS payment at…

Call for proposals from organizations helping seniors age well at home

Two calls for proposals have been launched for the Age Well at Home initiative. This new initiative will provide support to organizations that help Canadian…

The Age Well at Home Initiative

Every senior deserves a secure and dignified retirement, to live a safe and healthy life, and to be able to stay in their own home…

Canadian Friendship Cup 2022 Launched

Congratulations to Cricket Beyond Borders and Smart Investment Property on the very successful launch of an exciting summer cricket event, the Canadian Friendship Cup 2022.

Welcoming IHOP!

It was a pleasure to be a part of the Grand Opening of our very own IHOP Brampton, here in the riding of Brampton Centre.…

June 8 is World Oceans Day

Our government is taking ambitious action to continue protecting our oceans and coasts. Since we were elected in 2015, Canada has gone from protecting less…

We're working to preserve and protect our environment!

[video width="1080" height="1080" mp4="http://shafqatali.libparl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/178/2022/06/SEW_EN_1080x1080.mp4"][/video]

78th anniversary of D-Day

On June 6, 1944, thousands of Canadian and other Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy during the Second World War. Today we remember the…

June 3rd marks the Dragon Boat Festival

June 3rd marks the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival or Double Fifth Festival. This is a traditional Chinese holiday that commemorates the…

Mark National AccessAbility Week!

Mark National AccessAbility Week! Share a picture or video of an inspiring accessibility and disability inclusive idea in your community. #NAAW2022 #InclusiveFromTheStart

June is Italian Heritage Month

June is Italian Heritage Month, providing us an opportunity to recognize the Italian communities’ contribution to the growth and development of our country. Canada is…

June is Portuguese Heritage Month

June is Portuguese Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contribution to the social, economic, political, and cultural life of Canadians of Portuguese…

Happy Pride Season

While Pride events take place all year round, Pride Season typically refers to the wide range of events happening over the summer months (June through…

June is National Indigenous History Month

June marks National Indigenous History Month. In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, we want to dedicate it to the children who were taken away…

June is Filipino Heritage Month

June is Filipino Heritage Month. Let’s celebrate Filipino Heritage Month by learning more about the culture and traditions of the Filipino community in Canada. Happy…

The most significant progress on gun reform in a generation

Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. Inaction on gun control has a tragic price. In 2019, we banned 1,500 military-style assault firearms and…

May 29 to June 4 is National AccessAbility Week

May 29 to June 4 is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) in Canada. One in five Canadians have a disability. NAAW is an opportunity to highlight the contributions of…

Shelters for women and children fleeing violence

Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to live – yet many Canadians live in fear of violence daily. Around the world, rates of gender-based…

Discussions with Magnum Integrated Technologies Inc. about a new factory

Magnum Integrated Technologies Inc. is a multinational company headquartered in Brampton. I met yesterday with its President, André Nazarian, Executive VP & CFO, Mark Gurtzbein,…

Investing in Veterans: Invictus Games 2025

The Invictus Games uses sport and competition to help Veterans and Forces members with injuries or illnesses recover, and rehabilitate, while helping others understand their…

Thank you, Ambassador Kamaldinov

As co-chair, together with Senator Victor Oh, of the Canada-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Friendship Group I would like to thank Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada Akylbek Kamaldinov…

Happy Vyshyvanka Day!

Each year, on the third Thursday of May, Ukrainians around the world celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history by proudly wearing Vyshyvankas, embroidered shirts that…

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia

On the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), we recognize the courage and resilience of LGBTQ2 community members of the past and present…

Happy Vesak Day!

Today, on Vesak, Buddhists across Canada and around the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is…

Fighting wildfires and keeping Canadians safe

Across the country, too many people have had their homes destroyed by wildfires, or spent days under a blanket of smoke. The costs of climate…

Making sure everyone, everywhere can get vaccinated

Winning the fight against COVID-19 means we must make sure everyone, everywhere can get vaccinated. Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced $732 million for the Access…

Scholarships for Ukrainian Refugees

Some young Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada will want to pursue post-secondary education, but their finances are limited and there is no fully- or partially…

Welcome Sofiia Postolatii, our new intern from Ukraine

Sofiia Postolatii is our new intern from Ukraine, who will be working in my House of Commons office for the next two months. Before she…

Celebrating Eid al-Fitr

On Friday, May 6, 2022, I spoke in the House of Commons about celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitr. To view a video of my…

Speaking out against the Bloc Quebecois' attempt to exempt Quebec from Canada Health Act provisions

On Thursday, May 5, 2022 I spoke in the House of Commons to oppose Bill C-237 , a private member's bill proposed by the Bloc…

The 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Kazakhstan

This year Canada and Kazakhstan celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. I marked the occasion by speaking about Kazakhstan today in…

Emergency Management Funding to 4 NGOs

Over the past two years, jurisdictions across Canada have faced extraordinary strain on their emergency response resources due to COVID-19 outbreaks, wildfires, floods, and other…

It's Emergency Preparedness Week

This is #EPWeek2022. One Emergency Preparedness Week theme is be #AdventureSmart. Planning an outdoor activity? Weather, unexpected injuries, or equipment failure can turn dangerous. Follow…

May is Jewish Heritage Month

May marks the annual Jewish Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Jewish culture, faith, and history in Canada. Canada is home to the fourth-largest Jewish…

Mental Health Week

This week, for CMHA’s 71st Annual Mental Health Week, we encourage everyone to exemplify the theme of empathy by tuning in before weighing in –…

Eid Mubarak!

Please view my greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr on May 2, 2022, by clicking here    

Ending the MSM blood ban

Health Canada has authorized a submission from Canadian Blood Services to eliminate the current three-month blanket donor deferral period for all sexually active men who…

National Day of Mourning: April 28

Every worker has the right to a healthy and safe workplace, and to return home safely at the end of their workday. On the National…

Monday, May 2nd is tax filing deadline

Yom HaShoah

On Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the six million innocent Jewish men, women, and children who were systematically murdered by the Nazis…

Sheridan Professor Dr. Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui

On Tuesday, April 27th, Sheridan Professor Dr. Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui appeared as an invited witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration…

International Student Question

Today in Question Period I asked the Minister of Immigration about what the government was doing to ensure that international students whose temporary status is…

Groundbreaking Toronto Pearson Runway Repair

This morning I joined Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra Toronto Pearson President and CEO Deborah Flint and MPs Ruby Sahota & Iqwinder S. Gaheer for…

Armenian Genocide Memorial Day

April 24th is Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. Beginning on April 24, 1915, the Ottoman government arrested and murdered hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople as…

Христос Воскрес! Веселих Свят! Χριστός Ανέστη! Καλό Πάσχα!

This Sunday, April 24, Eastern Orthodox Christians and Eastern Rite Catholics in Canada and around the world celebrate Easter in accordance with the Julian Calendar. Easter, or Pascha, is…

We're making Electric Vehicles more affordable

To put more electric vehicles on our roads and make them more affordable for Canadians, we are extending and expanding the Incentives for Zero Emission…

National Volunteer Week 2022 April 24-30

  April 24-30 is National Volunteer Week — an opportunity to celebrate the compassion, generosity, and hard work of millions of volunteers from coast-to-coast-to-coast. The…

Happy Earth Day!

From the rugged coasts of Newfoundland, to the iconic boreal forest, the Rockies, and everywhere in between, as Canadians, we are lucky to have so…

Launching the National Program for Ecological Corridors

Fighting biodiversity loss and climate change, starts with protecting nature. And for our cities, highways, and infrastructure, that means ensuring they make space for animals…

A healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand. That’s why our government will be investing in: Launching a world-leading $15 billion Canada…

Happy Passover! Chag Pesach Sameach! חג פסח שמח

Tonight at sundown, Jewish people across Canada and around the world will mark the start of Passover. The eight day celebration commemorates the liberation of…

Seva Food Bank partners with Amazon

Seva Food Bank is an initiative of Sikhs Serving Canada that addresses the challenges of food security and underlying poverty to spur economic renewal. Congratulations…

Supply Chain investments in Budget 2022

In #Budget2022, we are making important investments in transportation infrastructure to strengthen our supply chain and support projects that help ease the movement of goods…

April 14 is Vaisakhi

April 14 is Vaisakhi. The harvest festival marks several important events including the start of the harvest season in Punjab and the founding of the…

Budget 2022 to accommodate affordable housing

Everyone should have a safe and affordable place to call home. That goal is increasingly out of reach for far too many Canadians and newcomers…

International Day of Pink

This year’s International Day of Pink is on April 13th. Every year, on the second Wednesday of April, people around the world wear pink in…

Budget 2022 supports small and medium-sized businesses

Minister Marci Ien, Sonia Sidhu, Ruby Sahota and I visited Tikka Junction, 295A Queen St E Unit 26, Brampton, today. Small and medium-sized businesses like…

Minister Ien meets with ACBN

Thanks to the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, for your visit to Brampton Centre this morning to meet members…

Budget 2022: Supporting small business and creating jobs

Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities. That’s why our government has a plan to support…

80 new Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Thanks to Minister Anita Anand for your visit to Brampton Centre this morning to announce a grant of $445,000 to support the installation of 80…

Budget 2022: Making Housing More Affordable

Everyone should have a safe and affordable place to call home. But that goal—one that was taken as a given for previous generations—is increasingly out…

Budget 2022 invests in three main things: people; economic growth; and a clean future for everyone.

Budget 2022 invests in three main things: people; economic growth; and a clean future for everyone. Through these targeted and responsible investments our government will…

Iftar with the Prime Minister

Last night, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined our Muslim caucus for a traditional Iftar (breaking the fast) on Parliament Hill. It’s a blessing that in…

Making Google and Facebook pay their fair share

Google and Facebook take 80% of all online advertising revenue, while displaying Canadian news content for free. Tech giants must pay their fair share and…

Connecting Families Initiative Phase Two: $20 per month high-speed internet access

Internet access is not a luxury, it’s an essential resource. Today, Ministers Champagne, Khera, and Hutchings announced phase two of the Connecting Families Initiative. Our…

April is Sikh Heritage Month

April marks Sikh Heritage Month. Introduced by MP Sukh Dhaliwal in 2019, the month recognizes the immense contributions that Sikh-Canadians have made to Canadian society, the richness…

Visit from the Ambassador of Kazakhstan

This afternoon at my parliamentary office, I had a very educational and productive meeting with His Excellency Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada. We…

International Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31st is International Transgender Day of Visibility - a day that raises awareness about Trans communities and discrimination fueled by transphobia that is a…

Federal Housing and Homeownership Policies

I had a very useful discussion yesterday afternoon with Mortgage Professionals Canada about federal housing and homeownership policies .

Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan

This morning, the Prime Minister and Minister Guilbeault announced Canada’s Emissions Reductions Plan: an ambitious roadmap that goes sector-by-sector to cut emissions and create opportunity…

$10-a-day child care for families in Ontario

It's always good to join with colleagues to deliver good news. Together with our provincial government, we’re cutting your child care fees by an average…

Strengthening the Canadian Health Care System

[video width="1080" height="1080" mp4="http://shafqatali.libparl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/178/2022/03/Health-Care-priorities.mp4"][/video] Today, our government introduced a $2 billion transfer to the provinces and territories to help clear surgery and diagnostic backlogs, created…

EV Battery Hub

  Yesterday, Ministers Champagne and Alghabra announced a historic investment by LGES and Stellantis. This project will create more than 2,500 jobs as workers build…

Happy Pakistan Day!

Today, March 23rd in the House of Commons, I spoke about celebration of the creation of Pakistan. If you would like to watch my speech…

Celebrating Holi at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Pleased to join Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, Sonia Sidhu, Maninder Sidhu, Kirsty Duncan and Iqwinder S. Gaheer at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, to help celebrate…

The attack on the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre

The attack on the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre was a horrific attack. I stopped by with the Hon. Marco Mendicino, Hon. Sean Fraser, Iqra Khalid,…

Potential CP Rail Labour Disruption

Good meeting today with Kevin Draper and Todd Letts of the Brampton Board of Trade about the potential labour disruption at CP Rail and the…

Launching the Canada-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Friendship Group

It is an honour to co-Chair the Canada-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Friendship Group launch together with Senator Victor Oh, with the support of His Excellency Akylbek Kamaldinov,…

Removal of pre-entry test requirements for fully vaccinated travellers

Today, we announced that on April 1, 2022, Canada will remove the pre-entry test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers. As vaccination levels and healthcare system…

Offering Ukrainians safe harbour in Canada

In continuation of our response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) today announced the launch of applications for the…

Holi Hai!

This week, South Asian communities in Canada and around the world will celebrate Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours. Holi offers a time…

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today, Canadians join communities across the world in celebrating St. Patrick’s day! The Irish have been part of the fabric of Canadian society since John…

The IELTS test for Immigration

Immigration to Canada requires proof of either English or French proficiency. The IELTS test remains one of only two tests for proof of English language…

Canada's Agri-Food Industry Exports nearly $70 billion a year

Canada exports $70 billion in agricultural and food products, which account for 1 million Canadian jobs. Seventy percent of agri-food processing occurs in urban centres…

Ukraine Refugee Crisis

In today's meeting about Canada’s response to the refugee crisis as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine there was a shared sense of urgency…

President Zelenskyy's Address to the House of Commons

Today in a House of Commons, united for Ukraine, the address of President Zelenskyy was inspiring and a painful reminder of innocent lives being lost…

Community Group Consultation

Thanks to everyone who came out Sunday to the constituency office to provide feedback and discuss concerns at the community consultation. As the community’s representative…

New funding announced for Toronto Pearson International Airport

I was pleased to join Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Deborah Flint, President & CEO Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Rechie Valdez MP, Iqwinder S. Gaheer MP,…

SEAC-YEAC Food Bank Initiative

Congratulations to SEAC-YEAC, Olufemi Adegun, Susie Beghin and Daljit Kaur on the launch of your Food Bank initiative to serve Peel Region. Thank you for the…

Apply to be part of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council before midnight on April 10

Are you Canadian? 16 to 24 years old? Be the change you want to see in Canada! We’re inviting young Canadians from every region, background…

National Day of Observance for COVID19

Today marks the National Day of Observance for COVID-19. It is a time to commemorate all those people who have lost their lives and the…

The CLB provides up to $2,000 per child for an RESP with no contribution required

To help make education more affordable, we’re encouraging Canadians to apply for the Canada Learning Bond which provides up to $2,000 per child, deposited directly in a Registered Education…

Bhive Brampton celebrates International Women's Day

Thanks to BHive , Brampton's start-up incubator, for the invitation to celebrate International Women's Day together.

Agnes Macphail, the first woman elected to the House of Commons

Today, March 8 (International Women's Day) will mark 100 years since Agnes Macphail, the first woman elected to the House of Commons, took her seat…

Wednesday March 8 marks International Women's Day

March 8th marks International Women’s Day. It’s a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s also…

Osler Health CEO meets with Brampton MP team

This morning the #Brampton MP Team met with Dr. Frank Martino, Interim CEO of @oslerhealth. We congratulated him on his recent appointment and , we…

Investing in public transit

Reliable and accessible public transit provides Canadians with safe and affordable options to get where they need to go. By investing in cleaner and more…

Canadian visa processing in Islamabad

On Thursday, March 3, 2022, during a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked Catrina Tapley, Deputy Minister…

Ghana's 65th Independence Day

On Friday, March 4, 2022 I spoke in the House of Commons to congratulate the people of Ghana on the 65th anniversary of independence. To…

Grow Your Business Online with the Canada Digital Adoption Program

The Canada Digital Adoption Program launched and is now open for applications! If you’re a SME in Brampton looking to bring your business online, or…

Lent begins today on Ash Wednesday

Today, on a day known as Ash Wednesday, many Christians in Canada and around the world will begin to observe Lent, a 40 day season…

Call for Concepts for Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund extended to Monday, March 7

Led by and for Black Canadians, the $200 million Black-led Philanthropic Endowment fund has been created to sustainably source funding to improve social and economic…

Modernizing the Official Languages Act

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister for Official Languages, supported by the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, and the Honourable David…

Minister Champagne appears at Auto Caucus

Thanks to the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry for his special appearance at the meeting of the Auto Caucus. The Auto…

Isra and Mi'raj

Today many Muslims in Canada and around the globe observe Isra and Mi'raj. This event commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and…

March is Irish Heritage Month in Canada

March is Irish Heritage Month in Canada. "The Irish have played an important role in the history of Canada. From their early settlements in Newfoundland,…

Black History Month Consultation

Thanks to everyone who participated in today's Black History Month Consultation on Federal Affordable Housing policies and Black Community Concerns. Listening to Black Community Stakeholders,…

I stand with Ukraine!

Yesterday Russia shocked the world with an unprovoked attack against #Ukraine These actions are horrifying, and violate international law and the UN Charter I #StandWithUkraine…

Canada's Agriculture Day

On Canada’s Agriculture Day, and every day, we’re grateful for the dedication of our hard-working farmers and producers who feed our families and support our economy. We are fortunate to have a vibrant, strong agriculture and…

Dr. Charles Lightfoot Roman

February is Black History Month. I addressed the House of Commons to draw attention to Dr. Charles Lightfoot Roman, a distinguished example of the history…

Happy Family Day!

From my family to yours, Happy Family Day!

Automatic work permits for international students in co-op programs

On Thursday, February 17, 2022 during a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked Citizenship and Immigration Senior…

What are the financial requirements for international students from Nigeria?

At the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on Thursday, February 17, 2022 I asked Senior Assistant Deputy Minister Campbell Jarvis about…

International Students from Bangladesh need access to the Student Direct Stream program

On Thursday, February 17, 2022 during a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked Citizenship and Immigration Senior…

Increasing immigration to boost the Canadian economy

Today at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration I asked the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship how…

Approval rate for study permit applications from Pakistan

At the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, I asked the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigrations, Refugees and Citizenship about improving…

Improving Processing Times for Family Reunification

At the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, I asked the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship about the amount…

Canada Learning Bond: Are you between 18 and 20?

ARE YOU BETWEEN 18 and 20? You may be able to get money to help pay for your education after high school. You can apply…

The Canada Learning Bond: Information for Parents

The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is money from the Government of Canada to help pay for post-secondary education. It provides an initial payment of $500…

Today's Lantern Festival

Today's Lantern Festival marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night carrying paper…

Immigration and Canada's economic recovery

Today, Minister Sean Fraser, tabled the 2022‒2024 Immigration Levels Plan, which charts an ambitious but responsible path for immigration that will help the Canadian economy…

Vaccine Mandates help keep Canadians safe!

Today , I rose in the House of Commons to speak about the need to continue the use of vaccine mandates to help keep Canadians…

Canadian Olympic Committee’s #PassTheTorch challenge

Our athletes have been competing at these Games without their family and friends present, so they appreciate your support from back home. Support Team Canada…

Statistics Canada has released its updated 2021 Census data

Population counts are important to help plan for community services and much more. Statistics Canada released its updated #2021Census data on population and dwelling counts. https://bit.ly/3pFHWx8

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada and its Head of State, is the first British monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne.…

International Development Week - February 6 to 12, 2022 - #GoForTheGoals social media contest

We’re inviting people in Canada to #GoForTheGoals in their daily lives! What action will you take to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals? Will you…

Go Team Canada!

Team Canada athletes are inspirations and incredible role models to all Canadians, notably our youth. They have been training for years for this very moment.…

$10-a-day childcare plan already making life more affordable

Since the Government of Canada announced its ambitious plan for a $10-a-day early learning and child care system across the country, we have signed agreements…

The Online Streaming Act

  Canadian broadcasters play by one set of rules. And streaming platforms play by another. There should be one set of rules for everyone. We’ve…

I asked the Prime Minister about Canada's supply of rapid tests

Today, during Question Period I asked the Prime Minister about Canada's supply of rapid tests. The Speaker: The honourable member for Brampton Centre. Shafqat Ali (LPC):…

We're Supporting Canadians in the Performing Arts

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage, has announced the launch of the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund. This new temporary funding program…

Watch the Black History Month video greetings from the Liberal Caucus

Watch the Black History Month video greetings from the Liberal Caucus by clicking on the link below. Black History Month video from the Liberal Caucus

February is Black History Month

Black history is Canadian history, and Black History Month represents a time to honour the legacy of Black Canadians, both past and present, as we…

Have Your Say with Pre-Budget Consultations

Almost two years ago, our government put in place an economic response plan with unprecedented measures to meet the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic. Our…

Modernizing Canada's Immigration System

Today, Minister Fraser announced measures to improve the applicant process and modernize the immigration system. These measures are part of a broader process to address…

Modernizing Canada’s immigration system to support economic recovery and improve client experience

Today, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Fraser's announced he plan to reduce immigration processing times.  To learn more, here are links to the backgrounder and the…

Join us tonight to celebrate Lunar New Year’s eve

Join us Monday night to celebrate Lunar New Year’s eve. Date: January 31st, 2022 Time: 7 pm EST Register here: [https://us06web.zoom.us/.../tZEkcu6tqTgtGNRuWcL...]

National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

On January 29th, 2017, worshippers at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec were attacked in the worst act of Islamophobic violence in this country’s history…

We continue to support Canadians

As Canadians continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and regional public health measures and lockdowns, our Liberal government will always ensure they have the support they…

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today, we remember the more than 6 million Jews who were brutally murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. We remember the countless Romani,…

Happy Republic Day to those celebrating today

January 26 marks India’s Republic Day. This day represents India enacting it’s constitution and becoming a republic. Happy Republic Day to those celebrating today.

Support for Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health of Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. For two years now we have had to respond to unprecedented social disruption, the loss of…

$10-a-day Child Care in 9 provinces and all 3 territories

As of today, our government has successfully signed agreements with nine provinces and now all three territories. Our Liberal government will continue to work with…

Last Day to Apply! Get ready for a unique experience of a lifetime! Your career in politics awaits you! Apply Now!

Last Day to Apply! Get ready for a unique experience of a lifetime! Your career in politics awaits you! Apply Now!

As the father of 3 young children myself, I am deeply saddened by this tragedy.

As the father of 3 young children myself, I am deeply saddened by this tragedy. My heart goes out to the parents and family. Words…

First Canada Child Benefit Payment of the Year

The best way to grow our economy and make life more affordable for Canadians is by supporting them through COVID-19 and providing families with the…

Blue Monday. It's okay to ask for help.

Today has been known as Blue Monday, some consider the gloomiest day of the year. Between the weather conditions, lack of sunlight and post-holiday lull, many Canadians and Indigenous Peoples find themselves struggling with their mental…

Last Week to Apply for Summer Leadership Program 2022

Last Week to Apply. Deadline is Friday, January 21. Get ready for a unique experience of a lifetime! Your career in politics awaits you! Apply…

Iniya Thai Pongal Nalvazhthukkal!

Iniya Thai Pongal Nalvazhthukkal! Tamils in Canada and around the world celebrate the start of Thai Pongal, a multi- day Harvest festival observed by the…

Launch of PocketWell app for mental health and substance use resources and supports

Today, Minister Bennett announced the launch of the PocketWell app, a companion app to Wellness Together Canada, providing Canadians with another way to access free, 24/7, online mental health and substance use resources and supports. The pandemic…

Reducing the cost of child care

The cost of child care is out of reach for many parents. Our government has plan for affordable and accessible child care for every child…

Orthodox New Year

Today, Orthodox communities in Canada and around the world will come together to celebrate the New Year. To all those celebrating, Happy New Year!

Working together to support Indigenous communities

COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples who often live in rural and isolated settings. That's why we've committed over $5 billion through the Indigenous…

Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program

The past 2 years have been difficult for Canadians and businesses hit by the pandemic, lockdowns, and capacity reductions. That's why we launched the Hardest-Hit…

Today's $2.8 Million investment in Brampton's Crump Group Inc.

Established in 2006 and currently operating out of three manufacturing facilities in Brampton, the Crump Group Inc., is one of Canada's leading, woman-led, all-natural pet…

Happy Lohri!

On January 13th, families and friends will gather to celebrate Lohri which marks the passing winter and to welcome longer, warmer days ahead. The festival…

Summer Leadership Program 2022

The Summer Leadership Program (SLP) is a unique political internship opportunity developed to invest in the future success of youth in this country. SLP gives…

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we've had Canadians' backs. We’ve supported workers, their families, and their businesses, and we’ll do whatever it takes for as long as…

Valentines for Vets

Let’s brighten a Veteran’s day on February 14! Valentines for Vets takes your Valentine’s Day cards and delivers them to Veterans. Join me in thanking…

Join MP Shafqat Ali's Youth Council

Do you want to contribute to a better tomorrow? Do you want to be the voice of change for your community? Then APPLY NOW and…