Arielle Kayabaga (born 1990 or 1991) is a Canadian politician who has represented the electoral district of London West as a member of Parliament since 2021. She is the Deputy House Leader of the Government in the 45th Canadian Parliament.

Biography

Born in Bujumbura, Burundi, Kayabaga's family moved to Canada when she was 11 as refugees from the Burundian Civil War, living in Montreal for a year before moving to London, Ontario. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Carleton University in Ottawa in 2013. Before her election to the London City Council, Kayabaga worked as a settlement worker for newcomers to London and nearby Sarnia, Ontario.

Political career

Municipal politics (2018-2021)

In 2018, she was elected to the London City Council at age 27, becoming the first black woman to do so in the city's history. In September 2020 London police launched an investigation after she reported her office receiving harassing phone calls.

Federal politics (2021–present)

Ahead of the 2021 Canadian federal election, she announced her intention to run for the federal House of Commons, winning the Liberal Party of Canada.[citation needed]

Electoral record

vte2025 Canadian federal election: London West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
LiberalArielle Kayabaga34,88456.30+19.43
ConservativeAdam Benni22,92036.99+2.84
New DemocraticShinade Allder3,3705.44–17.44
GreenJeff Vanderzwet4180.67N/A
Canadian FutureRussell Benner1830.30N/A
UnitedChristine Oliver1920.29N/A
Total valid votes/expense limit
Total rejected ballots
Turnout61,95771.82
Eligible voters86,269
Liberal notional holdSwing+8.30
Source: CBC, Elections Canada
vte2021 Canadian federal election: London West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
LiberalArielle Kayabaga25,30836.88-6.08$91,373.14
ConservativeRob Flack22,27332.46+4.53$114,644.53
New DemocraticShawna Lewkowitz16,85824.57+3.22$72,003.76
People'sMike McMullen3,4094.97+3.33$17,546.25
LibertarianJacques Y. Boudreau7731.13+0.4$0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit68,62199.25
Total rejected ballots5170.74+0.27
Turnout69,13868.49-3.00
Eligible voters100,947
Liberal holdSwing-5.31
Source: Elections Canada

External links