Trudeau’s New Immigration Minister Was Once a Somalian Refugee

Canada just out-Canada-ed itself.

Ahmed Hussen with Justin Trudeau after being sworn in as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. (Photo: Reuters)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Ahmed Hussen to his cabinet as the new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Why is that a big deal?

Because Hussen was himself a refugee from Somalia to the great white north.

Hussen was raised in Somalia and came to Canada from the war torn country only in 1993, as a 16 year old. He went on to pursue an undergraduate degree in History from York University in 2002 and got a degree in law from the University of Ottawa in 2012.

Hours after he assumed his new office, Hussen said that the trajectory of his life will affect the way he approaches the job, just like it would anyone else’s.

I am extremely proud of our country’s history as a place of asylum, a place that opens its doors and hearts to new immigrants and refugees, and I’m especially proud today to be the minister in charge of that file. 

The lawyer was first elected in 2015 as part of the surge of Liberal votes that swept Toronto and the surrounding area.

Canada’s first Somali-born MP, Hussen has served on the Justice and Human Rights Committee as well as the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association.

As a lawyer, Hussen practised criminal defence, immigration and refugee law. He was on the board of Toronto-based Journalists for Human Rights and served on the board of the Global Enrichment Foundation, which helps East African women to go to university and colleges in the region.

Source: Toronto Star