New Mississauga MP sworn in Monday in Ottawa, now wants to get down to business

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Published January 31, 2023 at 9:57 am

New Mississauga-Lakeshore MP Charles Sousa, who handily won a Dec. 12 by-election in the riding, was officially sworn in to his new position yesterday (Jan. 30) in Ottawa.

The veteran Mississauga Liberal politician, who for more than a decade served the city provincially at Queen’s Park, told insauga.com in a recent interview that he threw his hat into the federal ring after hearing a keynote address delivered by federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on Nov. 4 in Toronto.

Sousa, 64, who has stints as both Ontario minister of finance and minister of labour on his resume, was joined for Monday’s ceremony at Parliament Hill by family and friends.

He was escorted by the Prime Minister and his former Queen’s Park colleague, the Hon. Helena Jaczek, into the Chamber as the House of Commons reconvened for the first time after winter recess.

The December by-election was needed after former MP for the area, Sven Spengemann, stepped down last May to take a job at the United Nations.

Sousa fended off 39 challengers in the race, which featured the most candidates vying for a single seat in Canadian political history.

“Today was a special day for me, to take the oath of allegiance and take my seat in the House of Commons for the first time. This is something that I’ll always remember with pride. I am truly honoured to represent the people of Mississauga-Lakeshore and to be their voice in Ottawa,”  Sousa said in a news release issued late Monday. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in Parliament to address the important issues facing our community and our country.”

Deputy Clerk Eric Janse noted Sousa was the first Member of Parliament to pledge allegiance to King Charles III, after the death last fall of Queen Elizabeth.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Sousa said that as the son of immigrants, he has always wanted to give back to the country that has given so much to his family, and to be provided this opportunity is particularly meaningful.

A respected business leader and community advocate, according to colleagues, Sousa enjoyed a 20-year commercial banking career in his pre-political days.

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