In Conversation with The Honourable Bardish Chagger (MP for Waterloo)

By Christian Kassis and Nolan Roncato

The following is a summary taken from our interview with the Honourable Bardish Chagger, who is currently the elected Member of Parliament for Waterloo. In this interview, we discussed Bardish’s experience serving as Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth, as well as topics including affordable housing, international students, and her perspective on Trudeau’s resignation, and the resulting future federal election.

Q&A:

“You served time in Trudeau’s cabinet as Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and are actively involved in inclusiveness and multiculturalism throughout the community, what would you say is your biggest accomplishment in that office towards advancing diversity and inclusion?”

It’s important that we recognize the diversity of perspectives and experiences that shape our society, and not just limit diversity to the shells we can see. Young people are not just our future; they are shaping our present, and we need to ensure their voices are heard. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is fundamental to protecting inclusivity, and my role as Minister included ensuring that youth, who are pivotal to our future, were always part of the conversation. One of my priorities was using my platform to promote conversations around anti-hate, making sure we actively challenge discrimination and foster a more inclusive society. I would say as much as the world needs more Canada, Canada needs more Waterloo in terms of the diversity and inclusion we see within our community.

"How does diversity and inclusion play a role in your life and work?"

As a child of immigrants from India, who came to Canada in the early ’70s, diversity and inclusion are deeply personal to me. I’ve taken pride in watching the Waterloo Region, the community I was born and raised in, become more diverse and welcoming over the years. We also need to recognize that everyone immigrated to Canada at some point except Indigenous Peoples, many of whose identities were stripped from them, a legacy that is still felt today. Diversity in Canada’s social fabric shouldn’t just be about tolerance, I believe it should be more about sincere acceptance and understanding of others. How do we get our children more involved in our democratic process? How do we build a Canada that works for more Canadians? There’s a reason most of us left the countries we’ve come from. We’re not trying to build that same country here, we’re trying to build a Canada that we can contribute to and appreciate, a Canada that we love and can grow.

“A Desjardins report from September of last year found that over 60% of students in Waterloo had to settle for housing that was insufficient to their needs, and nearly 50% of students were unable to basic necessities such as food, utilities, or their phone plan due to the high cost of housing in the city. Is the federal government taking steps to alleviate the financial strain put on students by unaffordable and inadequate housing?”

Though the delivery of education primarily falls under the responsibility of provincial and local governments, the federal government has taken steps where it can, to support students. One key measure we’ve implemented is eliminating interest on Canadian student loans to help ease the financial burden after graduation and make building credit easier. We’re also working to encourage more housing development across Canada, including through the Housing Accelerator Fund to boost construction right here in the Waterloo Region. Waterloo is actually a national leader in Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) construction, and that’s an important step toward addressing the housing challenges students are facing.

“Leading in to more federal responsibilities. For the last few years, the Waterloo Region has seen substantial growth in its international student population, with Conestoga College alone hosting over 40,000 international students. This has been recognized as a key driver of economic growth in the Waterloo region. With the announcement by the federal government to cap permits offered to international students by 50%, do you believe this would have an impact on economic growth in the Waterloo Region?”

It’s important that we don’t fall into an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality when it comes to international students. We have to recognize the challenges they face—paying significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students and dealing with restrictions on the number of hours they can work. At the same time, we also have countless young people here struggling to find work, and that’s something we continue to address as well.

“Would you say the federal government’s more active management of the quantities of international study permits granted will prove to ease the tensions currently between international students?”

It’s important that we prioritize domestic students when it comes to seeking employment and accessing postsecondary education. We need to create a balance and unity between our local and international student bodies so that tensions are reduced, and opportunities remain available to everyone – that’s why we are in Canada, after all.

“We’ve been seeing a rise in international students filing claims for asylum following their study permits being cut. Does the federal government have a plan to process international students hoping to extend their residency in Canada differently from those fleeing persecution or war?”

The federal government is aware of this issue, but it’s crucial that asylum pathways remain for those facing genuine persecution or hardship—not individuals attempting to work the system. Countries choose government-assisted refugees; these families do not decide which country they end up in for safe haven, so it is important we recognize the purpose of this pathway for those it is intended for. Those who submit false claims in an attempt to gain asylum will face consequences and will not be approved. We have a rigorous system in Canada.

“In 2024, Canada reported the second highest price-to-income ratio for homes in the world just behind Portugal and ahead of the United States. Many students and young adults are worried they will not be able to afford a home in the future as Canada has seen the highest increase in housing prices in the G7. What would you say to those individuals like ourselves who don’t see the prospect of owning a home likely?”

The federal government has taken steps to make it easier for young people to save for a home, including the introduction of the tax-free First Home Savings Account (FHSA). It’s important that young adults are aware of the financial tools available to them, like Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), to encourage better financial management and long-term saving. Many second-generation individuals, like myself, come from families who may not have had access to these tools, which can make it harder to take advantage of the benefits the federal government provides, and that’s why conversations like this are important to make more people aware of these tools.

“With news of a federal election coming sometime this year, what is the message you hope to send to voters in the Waterloo region, in hopes of re-election?”

I will always fight for Waterloo. I believe the people of Waterloo should elect the candidate who will put our needs first and fight the hardest to bring tax dollars back to our community with investments that help our local econom,y thereby benefiting the provincial and national economies as well. Our democratic system gives power to the people, and I hope my constituents remain engaged in the democratic process. I hope to earn your confidence again.

“With Trudeau’s decision to resign as Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, do you have confidence that the next leader of the liberal party will be able to fill the leadership vacuum left from the Prime Minister’s resignation?”

I do not use my office to comment on matters of Liberal Party politics. At this time, I have not specified support for any candidate in the leadership race, but I encourage Canadians to vote for the individual they believe is best suited to meet their needs. At this time, I still believe the Liberal vision remains the best as we build the future of our country.