Yasir Naqvi

Speaker's Bio

Yasir Naqvi is the Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, and currently serves as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Secretary of State for International Development.

A seasoned public servant and advocate, Yasir Naqvi brings deep expertise in international trade law and policy. Prior to entering politics, he practiced international trade, competition, regulatory and administrative law at major Canadian law firms, and worked with the Centre for Trade Policy and Law. He has advised government, corporate, and non-governmental clients on NAFTA (now CUSMA/USMCA), WTO agreements, and regional trade and investment frameworks.

Yasir Naqvi has supported clients in trade negotiations, offering sector-specific policy guidance, and has appeared before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the Federal Court of Canada, and NAFTA dispute resolution panels on matters including trade remedies, procurement, and export controls. He has also taught international trade law at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law and published extensively in the field.

Previously, Yasir Naqvi served as Ontario’s Attorney General, Government House Leader, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. As a former CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, he led efforts to foster civic engagement and inclusion among newcomers.

Yasir Naqvi has been cited as a “Community Builder” by United Way Ottawa. In 2018, he was named on Canadian Lawyer’s “Top 25 Most Influential” list for advancing technological modernization in Ontario’s justice system. He is the recipient of the Lincoln Alexander Award by the Law Society of Ontario.

A tireless advocate for human rights and inclusive economic growth, Yasir Naqvi remains focused on strengthening Canada’s global trade relationships, expanding market access for Canadian businesses, and ensuring international development efforts align with Canadian values.