As a lifelong Burlington resident, mother, and the youngest female cabinet minister in Canadian history, Karina Gould has been a fierce advocate for her community for the past decade.

 

Karina was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Burlington in 2015. She currently serves as Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA). She previously served as the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2023-25), Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (2021-23), Minister of International Development (2019-21), and Minister of Democratic Institutions (2017-19).

 

A graduate of McGill University and the University of Oxford, MP Gould is passionate about helping Canadian families, public service, and international development. Before her election as the Member of Parliament for Burlington, she worked as a trade and investment specialist for the Mexican Trade Commission in Toronto, a consultant for the Migration and Development Program at the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., and spent a year volunteering at an orphanage in Mexico.

 

MP Gould has deep roots in her hometown of Burlington, Ontario, and is an active member of the community and an advocate for families, women’s issues, and affordable housing. She has volunteered with and actively supports the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club, the Burlington chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women, the Mississauga Furniture Bank, Halton Women’s Place, and other local organizations.

 

MP Gould lives in Burlington with her husband Alberto, their son Oliver and daughter Taya. With the birth of Oliver, MP Gould became the first federal Cabinet minister to give birth while holding office. She is passionate about breaking down barriers for women, youth, and underrepresented groups.