Leah Gazan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leah Gazan
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Gazan in 2019
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| Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre |
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| Assumed office October 21, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Robert-Falcon Ouellette |
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| Born | April 8, 1972 Thompson, Manitoba, Canada |
| Political party | New Democratic Party |
| Residences | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
Leah Gazan is a Canadian politician. She was elected to represent the area of Winnipeg Centre in the House of Commons of Canada. She became a Member of Parliament (MP) on October 21, 2019.
About Leah Gazan's Early Life
Leah Gazan was born on April 8, 1972, in Thompson, Manitoba. Her parents were Abraham (Albert) Gazan and Marjorie Anne Lecaine.
Family Background
Leah Gazan's family has a diverse background. Her mother's side includes Lakota and Chinese heritage. Her father's family is Jewish. Her father was born in 1938 in Holland. He had to hide during World War II to stay safe. Her paternal grandmother was held in a concentration camp during the war.
Parents' Political Involvement
Both of Leah Gazan's parents were active in politics. They were organizers for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. This party was a group that later became the New Democratic Party (NDP).
Before Becoming an MP
Before she ran for office, Leah Gazan was a teacher. She taught at the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg. She also led the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. This group works to improve community well-being.
Supporting Indigenous Rights
Leah Gazan has been a strong supporter of Indigenous rights. She took part in the Idle No More movement. This movement advocates for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada. She also pushed for a law called Bill C-262. This bill aimed to make sure Canadian laws matched the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She also spoke at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. There, she talked about the unfair treatment of Indigenous children adopted by non-Indigenous families.
Leah Gazan's Political Career
Leah Gazan believes in socialism, much like her parents did. This means she supports policies that aim for greater equality and social welfare.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 2019, Leah Gazan was chosen by the New Democratic Party to run in Winnipeg Centre. She won the election against the Liberal candidate. This brought the riding back to the NDP.
Role in Parliament
After being elected, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh gave Leah Gazan an important role. She became the Critic for Families, Children, and Social Development. This means she speaks for the NDP on these topics. She also works as part of the NDP's "shadow Cabinet." This group watches over the government's actions.
Working on Climate Change
Leah Gazan introduced a bill called Bill C-323. This bill was about creating a plan for climate change. It asked the Minister of the Environment to make a framework. This framework would help Canada meet its goals for fighting climate change. However, the bill did not pass.
Advocating for Basic Income
In August 2020, Leah Gazan suggested a motion in Parliament. She wanted to turn the Canada Emergency Response Benefit into a permanent basic income program. This benefit helped people during the COVID-19 pandemic. A basic income program would give everyone a regular income. She continued to speak in favor of this idea in 2021.
Addressing Missing Indigenous Women
Leah Gazan also presented a motion to Parliament. This motion asked the government to declare the deaths and disappearances of Indigenous women and girls a national emergency. The motion passed with everyone agreeing. It also called for a new system to send out alerts when people go missing.
