Karina Gould
- Born
- June 28, 1987 — Burlington, Ontario
- Family
- Married to Alberto Gerones, two children
- Education
- Joint honours degree in political science as well as Latin American and Caribbean studies, McGill University; master's degree in international relations, St Hilda's College, Oxford
- Career
- Consultant in the Migration and Development Program, Organization of American States; Trade and Investment Specialist for the Mexican Trade Commission "ProMexico" in Toronto
- Political Experience
- Member of Parliament for Burlington since October 19, 2015; Minister of Democratic Institutions; Minister of International Development; Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
- Notable
- Youngest woman to serve as a Cabinet minister in Canadian history; first woman to have a child while serving as a federal minister
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, Karina Gould worked as a trade and investment specialist for the Mexican Trade Commission in Toronto. She also reportedly worked as a consultant for the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., focusing on migration and development. Her public disclosures with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner list some publicly traded securities and a rental property as assets.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a long-serving cabinet minister under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Gould is considered a key member of his government. She has held several important roles, including Minister of Democratic Institutions, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and Government House Leader, indicating a close working relationship with the Prime Minister and his senior advisors.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In 2018, the Ethics Commissioner investigated a trip Gould took to the United States that was sponsored by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a registered lobbying group. The commissioner's report concluded that Gould did not breach the Conflict of Interest Act because the trip was related to her general duties as a Member of Parliament, not her specific responsibilities as a minister at the time. However, the commissioner noted that accepting such a trip from a lobbyist could create an appearance of preferential access.
Public Controversies
As Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Gould faced significant public and political criticism in 2022 over the massive backlog and long wait times for Canadian passports. Her department, which oversees Service Canada, was criticized for its handling of the surge in applications, leading to chaotic scenes at passport offices across the country. In 2023, as Government House Leader, she also drew criticism for comments made in the House of Commons that appeared to question the impartiality of the Speaker, for which she later apologized.
Where Karina falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Karina Gould won with 43,593 votes (55.8%)
Total votes cast: 78,126
How does Karina Gould's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, I am also concerned about the future of small- and medium-sized businesses in my riding. I have spoken about the big businesses next door to my riding. In my riding, however, small and medium-sized businesses are the ones that need this help. Yesterday, we announced an envelope of $500 million dollars for regional development agencies. The goal is precisely to support SMEs affected
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking our Bloc Québécois colleagues for moving this motion today. It is important that we stand together as a nation at this point in time to address the unjustified tariffs imposed by the United States, so I would like to thank them for that. I come from Burlington, Ontario. When I look to the west and the south from my constituency office, I see the
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech. As he mentioned, we work very well together at the Standing Committee on Finance. I very much appreciate everything he said. I want to ask him to tell us a bit more about how his constituents are affected and how important it is for them to get the support that they need. I liked when he talked about SMEs and the importance of retaining workers.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, what we are trying to do as a government is build a strong and resilient economy. We know it is extremely important that we support our industries so that we support our workers. When I talk about the steel sector, and when I talk about the automotive sector, it is not about the plant; it is about the people who work in those plants. Prime Minister I had the
Mr. Speaker, this is not something that the Canadian government wants. I do not think any Canadian wants this. I think most people realize that this is a decision of the U.S. President. We need to do what we can to support Canadian industries. That is exactly what the government is doing. It continues to be an evolving process. As I mentioned, 85% of exports from Canada to the United States are