For the first time, MPs born in the 21st century are headed to the Hill
This week, Canadians elected a total of 112 new Members of Parliament, marking a significant shift in the composition of the House of Commons. Among the newly elected MPs are a handful of individuals born in the early 2000s, making them the first MPs to be born in this century.
One of the notable newcomers is Jake Sawatzky, a 25-year-old master’s student in counselling psychology from British Columbia. Sawatzky, who ran as a Liberal candidate, pulled off an upset victory by unseating longtime NDP MP Peter Julian. In his campaign, Sawatzky emphasized the importance of addressing mental health and addictions issues, stating that many people are not receiving the treatment they desperately need. He expressed his desire to advocate for policy changes in these areas once he takes his seat in the House of Commons.
Sawatzky’s win is part of a larger trend towards a younger and more diverse representation in Canadian politics. Amandeep Sodhi and Fares Al Soud, both born in the early 2000s, were also elected as Liberal MPs in Ontario. Additionally, Tatiana Auguste, another young Liberal candidate, came close to winning in Quebec and may still have a chance pending a recount.
The House of Commons is also welcoming Eric Melillo, the first Gen Z MP to be elected in 2019 and re-elected this week. Sukhman Gill, another young Conservative MP from British Columbia, will join Melillo in representing the younger generation in Parliament.
In addition to the younger MPs, the Conservatives are adding new members with backgrounds in sports. Helena Konanz, a former professional tennis player, and Jason Groleau and Gabriel Hardy, former hockey players, are among the new Conservative MPs with sports connections.
Several incoming MPs have transitioned from provincial politics to the federal level. Roman Baber, a former Ontario MPP, made headlines for his opposition to pandemic health measures and later ran for the federal Conservative leadership. Other notable provincial politicians making the transition include Mike Dawson from New Brunswick, Éric Lefebvre from Quebec, and Ellis Ross from British Columbia.
On the Liberal side, former Quebec finance minister Carlos Leitão, former Nova Scotia MLA Braedon Clark, and former Saskatchewan MLA Buckley Belanger are among those making the leap to federal politics. Stephanie McLean, a former Alberta NDP MLA, also joined the Liberals and won a seat in British Columbia.
The newly elected MPs bring a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to the House of Commons. From musicians like David Myles to farmers like Kent McDonald and David Bexte, the incoming MPs reflect the rich tapestry of Canadian society. As they take their seats in Parliament, they will work together to address the pressing issues facing the country and represent the interests of their constituents.
