Maninder Sidhu

Maninder Sidhu is a Canadian politician and entrepreneur who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Brampton East since 2019. A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, he has served as Canada’s Minister of International Trade since 2025.^[1] Currently, he serves as the Campaign Co-Chair for the Liberal Party of Canada and the Leader’s Representative to the Liberal Party of Canada.^[2]

Prior to joining Cabinet, Sidhu held several parliamentary roles, including serving as Parliamentary Secretary at Global Affairs Canada for over four years in various portfolios: Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development.^[3]

Sidhu was born in Calgary, Alberta. He has lived in Brampton, Ontario, for more than 30 years. He attended the University of Waterloo, where he completed his post-secondary education. He later pursued a career in business and international trade.^[4]

Before entering politics, Sidhu was an entrepreneur and business owner for over a decade. He worked as an International Trade Consultant helping businesses unlock and grow into new markets. His work focused on helping companies navigate customs regulations, supply chains, and cross-border logistics.^[5]

Sidhu has also been active in community and philanthropic initiatives. He founded The Kindness Movement, a charitable initiative that supports economically disadvantaged students and families in Canada and India through educational support and humanitarian assistance. He has also mentored aspiring entrepreneurs and young professionals in his community.^[6]

Sidhu was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 2019 federal election, representing the riding of Brampton East. He was re-elected in the 2021 federal election. Most recently, he won in the 2025 federal election.^[7]

As a Member of Parliament, Sidhu served as a Parliamentary Secretary at Global Affairs Canada for over four years. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, where he supported Canada’s trade diversification efforts and represented Canada at multilateral trading forums. Before that, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, where he supported Canada’s diplomatic engagement and foreign policy initiatives. He later served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, contributing to Canada’s international assistance and development efforts.^[8]

Sidhu has served on several parliamentary committees, including:

• Standing Committee on Natural Resources
• Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
• Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
• Standing Committee on International Trade
• Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development^[9]

He has also participated in parliamentary associations and interparliamentary groups focused on strengthening Canada’s international relationships, including:

• Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association
• Canada–Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group
• Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association
• Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association
• Canadian Section of ParlAmericas^[10]

Through these roles, Sidhu has contributed to parliamentary oversight, legislative review, and Canada’s international parliamentary diplomacy.

In 2025, Sidhu was appointed Minister of International Trade.^[11] In this role, he is responsible for advancing Canada’s international trade relationships, supporting Canadian exporters, promoting foreign investment, and expanding market access for Canadian businesses.

As Minister, Sidhu has focused on strengthening Canada’s economic partnerships with key global markets and promoting trade diversification. His responsibilities include overseeing Canada’s participation in international trade negotiations, supporting Canadian businesses seeking to expand into global markets, and working with international partners to advance economic cooperation.

He has represented Canada in bilateral and multilateral meetings such as G7, OECD, ASEAN, APEC, and WTO with foreign governments, business leaders, and international organizations to advance Canada’s trade and economic interests.^[12]

During his tenure, he has overseen:

• Signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Indonesia.^[13]
• Signing of a Free-Trade Agreement with Ecuador.^[14]
• Finalization of the Canada-UAE Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.^[15]
• Concluding Canada’s participation under the EU’s SAFE Instrument.^[16]

Sidhu is driving Canada’s effort towards trade diversification and hitting its goal of an additional exports of $300 billion over the next ten years.^[17]

He is currently pursuing trade negotiations with:

• India
• Philippines
• ASEAN
• MERCOSUR
• Thailand
• Qatar
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia^[18]

Throughout his political career, Sidhu has focused on issues related to:

• International trade and investment
• Economic growth and job creation
• Support for small and medium-sized businesses
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• International cooperation and economic diplomacy

His professional background in customs brokerage and international trade has informed his work in government and Parliament.

Sidhu resides in Brampton, Ontario, with his wife and children. He has been actively involved in the Brampton community for decades through business, charitable, and civic engagement.^[19]

• Maninder Sidhu – Parliament of Canada biography