Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Biography of Jason Kenney

Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Riding: Calgary Southeast (Alberta)

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Jason Kenney was born in Ontario and raised in Saskatchewan, where he graduated from Notre Dame College. He did undergraduate studies in philosophy at the University of San Francisco.

Mr Kenney served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, prior to his election to the House of Commons in 1997 as Member of Parliament for Calgary Southeast. He has been re-elected five times, most recently with 76% of the vote.

He is a former Chairman of the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights, and served in several positions in Opposition, including as Finance Critic and Deputy House Leader.
Mr Kenney was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister in 2006, and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) in 2007.

He was appointed Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism in 2008. He was reappointed to the portfolio in 2011 and given the added responsibilities of Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Operations, and Regional Minister for Southern Alberta. Minister Kenney sits on three other cabinet committees: Planning and Priorities, National Security, and Social Affairs.
Mr Kenney has been voted “best overall” and “hardest working” MP by his colleagues in Maclean’s Magazine’s annual survey of parliamentarians. The National Post has called him “perhaps Canada’s best immigration minister ever” for his efforts to strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, while improving economic opportunities for newcomers.