Ziad Aboultaif MP |
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Official Opposition Critic for National Revenue | |
Assumed office November 20, 2015 |
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Leader | Rona Ambrose |
Preceded by | Pierre Dionne Labelle |
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Edmonton Manning |
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Assumed office October 19, 2015 |
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Preceded by | Riding Established |
Personal details | |
Born | 1966 Rachaya, Beqaa, Lebanon |
Political party | Conservative |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth |
Children | 2 |
Residence | Edmonton, AB |
Profession | Businessman |
Religion | Druze |
Ziad Aboultaif, MP (born 1966) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to represent the riding of Edmonton Manning in the House of Commons of Canada in the Canadian federal election, 2015. He is the first Druze elected to office outside of the Middle East.
A successful business owner, devoted member of multiple community boards, and a strong advocate for live organ donations. He has travelled the world as part of his international business commitments, including travel to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and the USA, which he feels gives him a strong analytical understanding of what drives Canadian and international economies.
A business owner for more than 12 years, Aboultaif operated an Edmonton-based distribution business Axxess Furniture Inc. prior to entering politics. He is a strong advocate for small business ownership as it maintains the strength of Canadian economy and reduces the unemployment rate.
His extensive work on community boards has earned him both an Alberta Centennial Medal (2005), and a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). Further, Ziad has long been an advocate for organ and tissue donation. In 2003 he made a partial-liver donation. Aboultaif believes that live-organ donation is the ultimate gift and commitment to life. In Parliament, Aboultaif is working to increase awareness on the importance of organ and tissue donation and will stand as a role model to encourage Canadians to improve the lives of others.
Originally from Lebanon, Aboultaif emigrated to Canada in 1990. He has been married to his wife Elizabeth since 1991, and together they have two sons.