Parliament returns Monday, April 13
Liberal

Jaime Battiste

LiberalCape Breton—Canso—AntigonishNova Scotia
1010Votes Cast
20Speeches
0Bills Sponsored
Background
Born
October 18, 1979
Education
Degree in Mi’kmaq studies from Cape Breton University; Juris Doctor from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University
Career
Co-chair of the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council; AFN regional chief; Member of the Content Advisory Committee for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Political Experience
Elected as member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria in 2019; Chair of Liberal Indigenous Caucus in 2019; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations (2021-present)
Notable
First Mi'kmaw member of Parliament (MP) in Canada; Negotiated the memorandum of understanding that established treaty education in Nova Scotia; Awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in 2017; His band, 2nd Generation, won an East Coast Music Award in 2024
Committee Memberships
Where Jaime Stands

Where Jaime falls on key policy spectrums

They vote

Your Money

Taxes & Government SpendingBusiness & Worker RulesEnergy & the Economy

People & Society

HealthcareImmigrationIndigenous PeoplesIdentity & Human RightsEducation & ChildcareDrug Policy

How We're Governed

National Security & DefencePolitical & Electoral ReformCrime & Public SafetyFirearms

Land & Community

Environment, Climate & ResourcesHousing & Cost of LivingRural Communities & Culture
They vote
Riding
House Seat
2025 Election Results — Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish

Jaime Battiste won with 24,908 votes (51.6%)

Jaime Battiste(Liberal)24,908 (51.6%)
Allan MacMaster(Conservative)20,870 (43.2%)
Joanna Clark(NDP-New Democratic Party)1,930 (4.0%)
Ryan Smyth(People's Party)333 (0.7%)
Rebecca Wall(Independent)237 (0.5%)

Total votes cast: 48,278

Recent Activity
Mar 12, 2026

Because we're in public, I need to correct the record a bit on education rates. When the Mi'kmaq took over education in Nova Scotia with Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, our graduation rates went from around 60% to about 90% with the Mi'kmaq schools. We are seeing progress across Canada and in a lot of different areas. When education is highlighted, I always have to talk about the good work of Mi'kmaw [more]

Mar 10, 2026

I'd like to thank the witnesses for their testimony today. Thank you for your innovation on this. I think a modern treaty commissioner is an excellent avenue that we can pursue as first nations all across the country, and I know this is just related to the modern treaty partners. My question is very short and to the point: Do you support the current legislation as written, or do you believe [more]

Mar 10, 2026

Okay. There's no problem.

Mar 10, 2026

That's a yes. Okay, there are no more questions from the Liberals. We have our directions.

Mar 10, 2026

Are we suggesting that we not keep going with the legislation we have and pause everything we're doing on legislation for this, or is this something we can look at after the legislation we're trying to pass goes through?

Mar 10, 2026

Would you like it passed speedily through this committee? “Speedily”—that's a word I created.

Feb 27, 2026
QuestionIndian Act

Mr. Speaker, I think everyone can agree that the Indian Act has challenges, that the Indian Act has created discrimination and that we need to move beyond the second-generation cut-off. However, there is no consensus out there on what the solution is. My question for the member opposite is this: If there is a community out there that does not want these amendments, if there is a community out [more]

Feb 26, 2026
QuestionCriminal Code

S-228 Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of our government in support of Bill, an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures. This important piece of legislation addresses coerced sterilization. The bill would address this abhorrent practice by clarifying how the existing law of assault applies when sterilization procedures are carried out without valid consent. Coerced [more]