Our Ministers

Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

The Honourable Denis Lebel was first elected to the House of Commons in 2007 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2011. Mr. Lebel was appointed Minister of State for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec in 2008.

Mr. Lebel has served on a number of parliamentary committees, as well as on the executive committees of the Canada–Europe and Canada–France parliamentary associations.

Prior to entering federal politics, Mr. Lebel was Mayor of Roberval from 2000 to 2007 and was a member of the board of directors, executive board and forest committee of the Union des municipalités du Québec. He also chaired the Caucus des municipalités voisines des Premières Nations and sat on the board of directors of Infrastructure Québec.

Mr. Lebel and his wife, Danielle, have two children.

Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway

The Honourable Ed Fast was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in 2008 and 2011.He had previously served for two terms as an Abbotsford school trustee and for three terms as a member of Abbotsford City Council.

A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Minister Fast practised corporate and commercial law for 24 years.

On May 18, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Ed Fast to his cabinet to serve as Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. Minister Fast assumed responsibility for the Government of Canada’s Global Commerce Strategy, which aims to create a more competitive Canadian economy by deepening Canada’s trade and investment ties in large, dynamic and fast-growing economies around the world. His top trade priorities include oversight of negotiations on free trade agreements with the European Union, India and Japan. Minister Fast is also the lead minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.

Prior to his appointment to Cabinet, Minister Fast served on a number of parliamentary committees and chaired the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. In 2011, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel for British Columbia and more recently was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to his community and country.

Minister Fast and his wife, Annette, have lived in Abbotsford, British Columbia, for 30 years. They have four daughters.