Bardish Chagger

Bardish Chagger, born on April 6, 1980, is a Canadian politician from the Liberal Party. She has served as Member of Parliament for Waterloo since 2015 and held various ministerial roles, including Minister of Small Business and Tourism and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, becoming the first female to hold the latter position. Chagger was involved in the WE Charity controversy in 2020, where she testified about the sole-sourced contract awarded to the charity, despite her involvement, she did not resign. She was removed from Cabinet in 2021 but remained an MP.

Chagger's early life included her parents immigrating from Punjab, India, and her father's involvement in the Liberal Party. She began her political career at 13 as a volunteer for Andrew Telegdi. After Telegdi's defeat in 2008, she worked at the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre.

In federal politics, Chagger supported Justin Trudeau's leadership bid and won the Waterloo riding in 2015. As Minister, she focused on modernizing House procedures but faced opposition leading to some reforms being abandoned. After her Cabinet removal, she became Chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in December 2021 but resigned unexpectedly in April 2024.

Her career highlights include her roles as a prominent minister, handling significant political controversies, and her continued service in Parliament despite her removal from Cabinet.