Marci Ien facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Marci Ien PC
Ien in 2023
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
In office October 26, 2021 – March 14, 2025
Prime Minister	Justin Trudeau
Preceded by	Maryam Monsef (Women and Gender Equality) Bardish Chagger (Youth)
Succeeded by	Rechie Valdez
Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre
In office October 26, 2020 – March 23, 2025
Preceded by	Bill Morneau
Succeeded by	Evan Solomon
Personal details
Born	1969 (age 55–56) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Political party	Liberal
Alma mater	Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (BA)
Occupation	Journalist, television host
Known for	Former co-host of The Social, former news anchor for Canada AM

Marci Ien, born in 1969, is a Canadian politician. She was the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth from 2021 to 2025. As a member of the Liberal Party, she represented Toronto Centre in the House of Commons. This is where laws are made in Canada.

Before becoming a politician, Marci Ien was a broadcast journalist for CTV. She co-hosted a TV talk show called The Social. She also worked as a reporter and co-anchor for Canada AM, a morning news program. When she was a child, she even appeared on a children's TV show called Circle Square.

About Marci Ien's Early Life

Marci Ien is a Black Canadian with family roots in Trinidad. Her father, Joel Ien, moved to Canada in the late 1960s. He became a teacher, principal, and school superintendent in Toronto.

Marci was born in the St. James Town area of Toronto. She grew up in Scarborough, another part of Toronto. She went to Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute and Agincourt Collegiate Institute for high school.

Marci Ien lives in Toronto with her daughter, Blaize, and her son, Dash. In 2020, she wrote a book called Off Script: Living Out Loud. This book shares stories about her life. It talks about growing up in Toronto, working as a journalist, and her decision to enter politics.

Marci Ien's Career in Journalism

Marci Ien studied radio and television arts at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. She graduated in 1991. Her first job was at CHCH-TV in Hamilton, Ontario in 1991. She started as a news writer and reporter.

In 1995, she began reporting from Queen's Park in Toronto. This is where the government of Ontario is located. Her reports were shown on local news and on a national newscast called Canada Tonight.

In 1997, Marci Ien joined CTV. She worked as a reporter for CTV Atlantic. She covered big stories, like the crash of Swissair Flight 111. In 1998, she moved back to Toronto. There, she became an anchor for CTV Newsnet, which was CTV's all-news channel.

From 2003, Marci Ien also anchored the national morning show Canada AM. She became a co-host of the show in 2011. The show ended in 2016. After Canada AM, she became a host on The Social from 2016 to 2020. She left this show to start her career in politics.

Awards for Journalism

Marci Ien has won several awards for her work in journalism:

• In 1995, she won a Radio Television Digital News Association Award. This was for her news series Journey to Freedom, which explored the Underground Railroad.
• In 2008, she received a Harry Jerome Award for her work in media.
• In 2014, she was given the Planet Africa Award for excellence in media.
• In 2015, she was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award. This was for her excellent hosting on Canada AM.
• In 2016, she received an African Canadian Achievement Award for her achievements in journalism.

Marci Ien's Political Journey

On September 17, 2020, Marci Ien was chosen as the candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada. She ran in a special election called a by-election for the Toronto Centre area. This election was held to fill a seat that became empty when the previous politician resigned.

Marci Ien won the by-election on October 26, 2020. She defeated the leader of the Green Party of Canada, Annamie Paul.

She was re-elected on September 20, 2021, in the 2021 Canadian federal election. She received even more support this time. On October 26, 2021, she was appointed to the Cabinet. This meant she became the Minister for Women, Gender Equality and Youth.

Marci Ien announced on March 7, 2025, that she would not be running in the next federal election.