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Marci Ien

Marci Ien is a Canadian former broadcaster and politician from Ontario.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Marci Ien is a Canadian former broadcaster and politician from Ontario. She served as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre from 2020 to 2025 and as Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth from 2021 to 2025. Before politics, she built a career in Canadian journalism and television.

Early life and career

Marci Ien was born in Toronto in 1969. She built a career in Canadian journalism and television before entering politics. Government and media profiles describe her as an award-winning broadcaster and community advocate.

Federal politics

Ien entered Parliament after winning Toronto Centre in a 2020 by-election and retained the seat in 2021. She represented the Liberal Party and was later listed as no longer serving as an MP after the 2025 election cycle.

Ministerial role

In October 2021, Ien was appointed minister for women and gender equality and youth, a role she held until March 2025. Her portfolio focused on federal policy related to women, gender equality, youth, and related community issues.

Public profile

Before and after elected office, Ien has been associated with media work, public speaking, and community engagement. Her profile is also shaped by her status as one of the more prominent Black women in Canadian federal politics.

Key facts

  • Ien was elected to the House of Commons in a 2020 by-election in Toronto Centre.
  • She was re-elected in the 2021 federal election.
  • She served in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet as minister for women and gender equality and youth from 2021 to 2025.
  • Before politics, she had a long career in Canadian broadcast journalism and television.
  • She announced in March 2025 that she would not run in the next federal election.
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Canadian context

Ien is a Canadian public figure whose career spans national television and federal politics, making her relevant to Canadian media, gender policy, and Toronto-area representation.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Marci Ien?
Marci Ien is a Canadian former broadcaster and politician who represented Toronto Centre in the House of Commons and served as a federal cabinet minister.
What party was Marci Ien associated with?
She was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.
What did Marci Ien do before politics?
Before entering politics, she worked in Canadian journalism and television for about three decades.
When was Marci Ien elected to Parliament?
She was elected in October 2020 in a by-election in Toronto Centre.
What cabinet position did Marci Ien hold?
She served as minister for women and gender equality and youth from 2021 to 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marci_Ien
    Supports: Basic biography, party affiliation, Toronto Centre MP term, cabinet role dates.
  2. House of Commons of Canada — https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/107097
    Supports: Parliamentary status, constituency, party affiliation.
  3. House of Commons of Canada — https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/marci-ien(107097)/roles
    Supports: Roles and dates for MP and ministerial service.
  4. Government of Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/government/ministers/marci-ien.html
    Supports: Official ministerial biography, birthplace, career before politics, family and residence.
  5. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marci_Ien
    Supports: French-language confirmation of election and ministerial timeline.
  6. Speakers Bureau profile — https://www.speakers.ca/speakers/marci-ien/
    Supports: Overview of journalism career and entry into politics.