The Honourable Kamal Khera, Member of Parliament for Brampton West, has been sworn in as Canada’s Minister of Health by Prime Minister Mark Carney, effective today, Friday, March 14, 2025. Khera, a registered nurse and accomplished parliamentarian, assumes this vital portfolio as part of Carney’s newly streamlined 23-member cabinet, unveiled at Rideau Hall. Her appointment has garnered widespread praise from community leaders across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), who view her as a champion for healthcare and equity.
Prime Minister Carney highlighted Khera’s unique qualifications during the announcement, stating, “Kamal Khera brings a rare blend of frontline healthcare experience and parliamentary leadership to the role of Minister of Health. At a time when Canadians need a resilient and accessible health system, her expertise will drive meaningful progress.” Khera’s mandate is expected to prioritize hospital capacity, primary care access, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen public health infrastructure nationwide.
Elected in 2015 as MP for Brampton West at the age of 26, Khera became one of the youngest women ever to serve in Parliament. Born in Delhi, India, on February 4, 1989, and raised in Brampton, she graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing from York University. Her career as a registered nurse included work in palliative and oncology care at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered in a Brampton long-term care facility and administered vaccines in her community.
Khera’s political journey includes key roles such as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health (2015–2017), Minister of Seniors (2021–2023), and most recently, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities (2023–2025). As Minister of Seniors, she advanced policies like the enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan and a 10% increase in Old Age Security for those over 75, lifting thousands out of poverty. Her latest appointment builds on this legacy, positioning her to tackle Canada’s healthcare challenges with a focus on Brampton and beyond.
Khera’s elevation to Minister of Health has been met with enthusiastic support from GTA community leaders, who see her as a relatable and capable advocate. Gian Paul, Chairperson of Flower City Friends Club and Mukti Foundation praised her appointment, stating, “Kamal Khera’s rise to Minister of Health is a triumph for our community and for all Canadians who value compassionate, hands-on leadership. As a nurse who has cared for the sick and a leader who has fought for fairness, she understands the stakes—especially in places like Brampton, where healthcare needs are urgent.” Paul added, “Her appointment sends a powerful message: our voices matter, and with Kamal at the helm, we can expect real action to heal our system.”
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown echoed this sentiment, noting, “Kamal’s deep ties to Brampton and her firsthand knowledge of our healthcare struggles make her the ideal choice. This is a proud day for our city.” Other local leaders have similarly lauded her nursing background and commitment to equity as critical assets for the role.
Following her swearing-in, Khera addressed reporters, emphasizing her priorities. “Canadians deserve a healthcare system that works for them—whether in Brampton or across the country. I’ve seen the gaps up close as a nurse and an MP, and I’m committed to closing them with this team,” she said. “Collaboration with provinces, territories, and communities will be key to delivering results.” With Brampton’s William Osler Health System serving over 829,000 residents with just one hospital, Khera’s local advocacy is expected to inform national policy.
Khera joins a dynamic cabinet featuring GTA-area figures like Dominic LeBlanc (International Trade) and François-Philippe Champagne (Finance), reflecting Carney’s focus on “change, focus, and action.” As a potential election approaches before November 2025, her tenure will be a litmus test for the Liberal government’s healthcare commitments.