Navdeep Singh Bains (born June 16, 1977) is a Canadian politician who served as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry from 2015 to 2021. A member of the Liberal Party, he represented the riding of Mississauga—Malton in the House of Commons from 2015 to 2021. He previously represented the riding of Mississauga—Brampton South from 2004 to 2011.
As Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, he held responsibility for overseeing the economic developement and corporate affairs of the Government of Canada, as well as developing and implementing research and development policy aimed at increasing productivity and the quality of life.
Bains unexpectedly retired from politics in January 2021 and joined CIBC as Vice-Chair, Global Investment Banking in September 2021. In May 2023, he became the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Rogers Communications, a major telecommunications provider in Canada.
Early life and career
Bains was born in Toronto, Ontario on June 16, 1977, to Indian parents, Harminder and Balwinder Bains.
Bains graduated from Turner Fenton Secondary School in Brampton, while it was known as J. A. Turner Secondary School and Turner Fenton Campus. After completing high school, Bains attended York University, where he received his Bachelor of Management Studies. He then went on to finish his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Windsor. He received his Certified Management Accountant designation, subsequently becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant in 2014. In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious FCPA designation by CPA Ontario for his "outstanding achievements including community leadership".
Bains worked as a financial processing analyst at Nike Canada from 2000 to 2001. He also worked for the Ford Motor Company as a revenue and costing analyst from 2000 until 2004.
Political career
38th Parliament
In his first election in 2004, Bains won the Liberal nomination for the riding of Mississauga—Brampton South, and won the seat with over 57% of the total vote; beating his next nearest opponent by over 33%, or over 14,000 votes. At that time, Bains was 26 years old and the youngest Liberal MP in Parliament.
Bains was elected chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in April 2005, and held it until October 7, 2005, when he became parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, which at the time was Paul Martin. As parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, Bains was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council, and served until February 5, 2006, the day before the Conservative government of Stephen Harper was sworn in after the 2006 federal election.
In October 2005, Bains also became a member of the Red Ribbon Task Force that released a 2006 report on revitalizing the party organization.
In opposition
In 2006, Bains was re-elected in his riding with just under 54% of the vote.
Also in 2006, Bains co-chaired the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)'s annual general meeting Toronto. Because of his position in the Party and the roles he has been given, Bains was seen as a rising star, and had been selected three years in a row in the Hill Times survey as the best up and comer.
During the 2006 Liberal leadership convention to replace Paul Martin, Bains threw his support behind Ontario Education Minister Gerard Kennedy, and after Kennedy dropped out before the third ballot, he joined Kennedy in supporting the eventual winner and new party leader, Stéphane Dion.
In the 39th Parliament, Bains held Official Opposition critic portfolios for Public Works and Government Services, the Treasury Board and International Trade, respectively. Bains was also member of the Liberal Caucus Committees for Planning and Priorities, Canada and the World and Economic Prosperity. In January 2007, he was appointed to the National Election Readiness Committee as a Caucus Representative and in March 2007 served as the Youth Liaison to the Young Liberals of Canada.