Charles Sousa has been the Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Lakeshore since 2022.  He currently serves as Chair of Canada’s National Defence Committee. He was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement in his first term.

 

Charles was also a Member of Provincial Parliament for 4 terms. During that time, he served as Ontario’s Minister of Finance, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Citizenship & Immigration, Minister responsible for the Pan Am Games, and Minister of Labour.

 

Charles grew up in Mississauga and is a proud first-generation Portuguese-Canadian.  ,His parents helped shape his views of public service by instilling in him that there’s room for everyone to succeed, to learn, and to help each other.

 

Charles earned an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, a BBA (Honours) from Wilfrid Laurier University, and graduated from the Institute of Corporate Directors at Rotman School of Business.

 

Prior to entering public service, Charles enjoyed a 20-year career in commercial banking and the capital markets. An active member of his community, he was Chair of the Rainbow Ball and Ambassador for the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation. He served as President of the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals and Director of the American and European Union Chambers of Commerce.  He was also a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Toronto Board of Trade.

 

Charles has long advocated for his community, including fighting for the revitalization of Mississauga’s waterfront and the protection of its sensitive airshed. His commitment to community service earned him the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003, Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, and a King’s Coronation Medal in 2024. He was also proudly inducted as a Commander of Merit to the Order of Portugal.

 

During his career, Charles has been appointed to several corporate, academic and charitable boards, including Canadian University Dubai, Wealth One Bank of Canada, and IC Savings Credit Union, and Magellan Community Charities, where he served as Chair. Charles and his wife Zenny have three adult children.