About Yasir Naqvi

Yasir Naqvi is running to lead the Ontario Liberal Party because he believes the status quo under Doug Ford's Conservatives is simply not good enough. From food prices, rising costs of housing, shady developer deals to sell off the Greenbelt, and a healthcare system in crisis - Yasir knows we need the right leader to stop Doug Ford and return an ethical, transparent government back to Queen’s Park.

Everyday Yasir works across government to find solutions that break down barriers and make real differences in the lives of Canadians. For the last 15 years he has served both the MP and MPP for Ottawa Centre, with a focus on practical solutions that break down barriers and build a better Ontario. As part of this work, both as Minister and active legislator, Yasir worked on many landmark bills and introduced over 20 pieces of legislation on a number of local and province-wide concerns.

Yasir is no stranger to life’s challenge. He and his family arrived in Canada after his father was imprisoned in Pakistan fighting for the right to vote. As a family, they started over in Niagara Falls, and because his parents’ law degrees were not recognized in Canada, they rebuilt a new life as small business owners. His parents taught their three children to push for better and advocate for what matters, something that has informed Yasir’s every decision since — as a professional, a neighbour and most importantly, as the proud father to Rafi and Elliana.

One of Yasir’s earliest experiences in Canada was to be welcomed by local Liberal volunteers. Since that first meeting Yasir has been a proud Liberal, serving as a local riding volunteer, MPP and MP, party president and cabinet minister.

Yasir is an experienced team-builder and he believes that it should not matter if you’re born in Niagara Falls or Thunder Bay or Karachi, everyone in our province should have an opportunity to succeed. That is the promise of Ontario and that is why he is running to be Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.