Arielle Kayabaga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Arielle Kayabaga PC MP
Kayabaga in 2019
Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Incumbent
Assumed office June 5, 2025
Prime Minister	Mark Carney
Preceded by	Mark Gerretsen
Succeeded by	Steven MacKinnon
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
In office March 14, 2025 – May 13, 2025
Prime Minister	Mark Carney
Preceded by	Steven MacKinnon
Succeeded by	Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Democratic Institutions
In office March 14, 2025 – May 13, 2025
Prime Minister	Mark Carney
Preceded by	Ruby Sahota
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Member of Parliament for London West
Incumbent
Assumed office September 20, 2021
Preceded by	Kate Young
London City Councillor
In office December 1, 2018 – September 20, 2021
Preceded by	Tanya Park
Succeeded by	John Fyfe-Millar
Constituency	Ward 13
Personal details
Born	1990/1991 (age 33–34) Bujumbura, Burundi
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Liberal
Children	1
Residence	London, Ontario
Alma mater	Carleton University
Occupation	Politician, settlement worker

Arielle Kayabaga is a Canadian politician. She is a Member of Parliament (MP) for London West. This means she represents people from that area in the Canadian government. She was first elected in 2021. She currently serves as the Deputy House Leader of the Government.

About Arielle Kayabaga

Early Life and Education

Arielle Kayabaga was born in Bujumbura, Burundi. When she was 11 years old, her family moved to Canada. They came as refugees because of a war in their home country. They lived in Montreal for a year. Then, they settled in London, Ontario.

Arielle went to Carleton University in Ottawa. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 2013. Before becoming a politician, she worked to help new people settle in London and nearby Sarnia, Ontario.

Arielle's Political Journey

Becoming a City Councillor

In 2018, Arielle Kayabaga was elected to the London City Council. She was 27 years old at the time. This was a special moment because she became the first Black woman to be a city councillor in London's history. As a city councillor, she worked on important committees. In 2020, her office received some difficult phone calls. The London police looked into these calls.

Serving in the Canadian Parliament

In 2021, Arielle decided to run for the federal House of Commons. She won the nomination for the Liberal party in London West. She won the election with 36.8% of the votes. She took over from the previous Liberal MP, Kate Young. Arielle is also the first Franco-Ontarian to be an MP for London West.

In 2023, she helped pass a special motion called M-59. This motion changed how housing support works for people with non-visible disabilities.

On March 14, 2025, she was appointed to two important roles. She became the Government House Leader and the Minister of Democratic Institutions. These roles were part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's team. After being reelected in the 2025 federal election on April 28, 2025, she was not chosen to stay in the cabinet on May 13, 2025.

However, on June 5, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed her again. She became the Deputy House Leader of the Government.

How She Was Elected