The Honourable Charles Sousa
Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Charles Sousa was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2007. He represents the riding of Mississauga South. He was appointed Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in October 2011.
Sousa previously served as the Minister of Labour. Before joining government, Sousa worked for the RBC Financial Group for more than 20 years.
Sousa graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1982 with an Honours BA. In 1991, he completed a fellowship at the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He earned his MBA at the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario in 1994. Sousa served as a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Toronto Board of Trade and as director of the American Chamber of Commerce.
Sousa is an ambassador for Credit Valley Hospital Foundation special events and past president of the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals. He has helped coordinate charitable events that support community-based organizations such as the United Way, the Rainbow Ball Foundation of Mississauga and the Community Foundation of Mississauga. In 2003, Sousa was honoured with a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of his outstanding achievements. He also received the Order of Merit from the Republic of Portugal in 2009.
Sousa is a lifelong resident of Mississauga South. He grew up in Cooksville, attended local schools and is now raising a family in the Lorne Park area with his wife, Zenny.
