Lena is not new to public service, she has worked extensively on the local, provincial, national, and international level. She’s a proven community leader with the education and experience to get big things done for Halifax West.
BACKGROUND
- Long-time community volunteer and leader
- Lawyer and small business owner
- Principal of the Lebanese Heritage Arabic Language School
- Chargée de mission (Région Amérique) de l’Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie
- Maronite Catholic and proud Lebanese-Canadian
- Trilingual (English, French, Arabic)
PUBLIC SERVICE
- MP for Halifax West (Since 2021)
- Chair of the House of Commons standing committee on Justice and Human Rights
- Member of the inaugural House of Commons standing committee on Science and Research
- Sponsor of Canada’s Lebanese Heritage Month Act
- Vice-Chair, Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group
- Vice-Chair, Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association
- Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration (2013-2021)
- Nova Scotia’s Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie (2017-2021)
- Nova Scotia’s Minister of Labour and Advanced Education (2020-2021)
- Nova Scotia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General (2013-2015)
- MLA for Halifax Armdale (2013-2021)
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Political Science, Saint Mary’s University)
- Master of Public Administration (Dalhousie University)
- Bachelor’s degree in law (Dalhousie University)
- Trained in mediation, negotiation, & collaborative law
AWARDS (SINCE 2012)
- King Charles III Coronation Medal
- Ordre de la Pléiade, grade of knight, from the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie
- Bertha Wilson Honour Society inductee, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
- Honourary Consulate of Lebanon in Halifax Appreciation Award for Community Service
- Medal of Quannoubine Angel from His Beatitude Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rahi, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
- Canadian Lebanon Society of Halifax commemorative bench beside the cedar tree of Lebanon at the Public Gardens
- Eparchial blessing in recognition of community engagement from Bishop Paul-Marwan Tabet
- Canadian Lebanon Society of Halifax Award for Community Commitment
- Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award
- Queen’s Counsel (Q.C.) designation
- Duke of Edinburgh Award in Nova Scotia
- Province of Nova Scotia Volunteer Award
- Halifax Regional Municipality Volunteer Award
- Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal
- Progress Women of Excellence Award
