Jaime Battiste
- Born
- October 18, 1979
- Education
- Degree in Mi’kmaq studies from Cape Breton University; Juris Doctor from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University
- Career
- Co-chair of the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council; AFN regional chief; Member of the Content Advisory Committee for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Political Experience
- Elected as member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria in 2019; Chair of Liberal Indigenous Caucus in 2019; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations (2021-present)
- Notable
- First Mi'kmaw member of Parliament (MP) in Canada; Negotiated the memorandum of understanding that established treaty education in Nova Scotia; Awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in 2017; His band, 2nd Generation, won an East Coast Music Award in 2024
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, Jaime Battiste had a career in law and education. He is a lawyer who worked as a legal advisor for the Mi'kmaq Grand Council and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs. He also served as the Treaty Education Lead for the province of Nova Scotia. Additionally, he has worked as a professor at Cape Breton University, focusing on Mi'kmaq studies.
Key Relationships & Connections
Jaime Battiste's parents, Marie Battiste and James (Sakej) Youngblood Henderson, are nationally recognized Indigenous scholars and educators who have made significant contributions to Indigenous law and education in Canada. He is a member of the Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia.
Public Controversies
During the 2019 federal election campaign, past social media posts made by Jaime Battiste surfaced and drew criticism. The posts, made several years earlier, were described as containing racist, sexist, and homophobic comments. At the same time, reports emerged about a 2017 peace bond application filed against him which included an allegation of domestic violence; the allegation was later withdrawn and the peace bond was dismissed. Battiste issued a public apology for his past comments, stating they were offensive and that he had learned from his mistakes. The Liberal Party supported him, and he was elected.
Where Jaime falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Jaime Battiste won with 24,908 votes (51.6%)
Total votes cast: 48,278
How does Jaime Battiste's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, I have good news for the member. Right now, first nations are meeting with premiers from across this country and our government in one of the most historic first ministers meetings with first nations. First nations shaped the agenda for this meeting and we value the opportunity to hear directly from the leaders addressing their concerns and having honest conversations about the
Madam Speaker, let us set the record straight. We have disagreed with the Cowichan ruling and we are appealing it. That member knows, as we have gotten up and said this a number of times. We are going to work with indigenous communities. We are going to talk to them. We are going to continue talking to the stakeholders, and we are going to continue to appeal this.
Mr. Speaker, indigenous rights are not an obstacle to building Canada strong. They are part of the foundation on which we will build it. As part of our duty to consult, we heard directly from more than 130 indigenous communities across Alberta and B.C. Where appropriate, accommodations will be made. Further consultations will inform conditions for Pacific link guided by UNDRIP and anchored in
Madam Speaker, we will continue to work with indigenous communities across Canada, and as part of the work moving forward to ensure that we get these projects over time, the key criteria in this is to ensure that we advance indigenous interests with meaningful participation, meaningful equity and meaningful partnership. We are going to continue to build with first nations communities, and we are
Madam Speaker, on this side of the House we believe in economic reconciliation. That means, when we are advancing projects that are important to this country, that we ensure we are advancing indigenous interests, which means, and I will say it again for the other side so they hear it loud and clear, we are making sure it is meaningful partnership, meaningful equity and meaningful participation in
Terrebonne C-241 Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the private member's bill from the member for, Bill, an act to establish a national strategy respecting flood and drought forecasting. This bill is not just important to the country; it is really important to my riding of Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish. During the Labour Day weekend in September this year, for the second time in less than
Madam Speaker, let me reiterate what we are saying on this side of the board. Indigenous rights are not an obstacle for building Canada strong; they are part of the foundation on which we will build it. We will continue to work with first nations communities. We will continue to work with indigenous people. On this side of the House, we respect constitutional rights and we respect consultation.
Mr. Speaker, when I became a member of Parliament in my community of Eskasoni, child poverty rates there were at 75%. If my son was going to school, that would be the majority of his classmates. One of the reasons I have been so proud is that our government, since 2024, has put a national school food program in place, and today I can say those children receive a healthy breakfast when they go to