Marco Mendicino


Marco Mendicino is a Canadian Liberal politician, who has represented the riding of Eglinton—Lawrence in the House of Commons of Canada since 2015. On November 20, 2019, Mendicino became the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Background

Mendicino was born to Italian immigrants. Mendicino studied political science at Carleton University prior to attending law school at the University of Windsor. Later in his career he also studied human resources management at York University's Schulich School of Business. He worked as a federal prosecutor for ten years, during which time he was involved in the handling of the Toronto 18 terrorism case. He also worked for the Law Society of Upper Canada, served as the president of the Association of Justice Counsel, and taught as an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Politics

An occasional member of the Eglinton—Lawrence Liberal riding executive, and having served as legal counsel to Mike Colle's provincial Liberal campaign in 2014, Mendicino stood for the federal nomination for the 2015 general election. He faced a major battle for the nomination after Eve Adams crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party and, with the support of party leader Justin Trudeau, sought the Liberal nomination in Eglinton—Lawrence. Mendicino secured the support of former interim Liberal leader Bob Rae and nearby incumbent MP Judy Sgro. He defeated Adams at the July 26, 2015, nomination meeting by 1,936 to 1,100 votes.
In the general election, Mendicino faced the incumbent Conservative MP and then-current Finance Minister Joe Oliver and a surprise New Democratic Party nominee in former Saskatchewan finance minister Andrew Thomson. Mendicino attacked Thomson as a parachute candidate. Ultimately, Mendicino won the election.
He was re-elected in the 2019 federal election and subsequently named Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Electoral record