Mark Holland, Member of Parliament for Ajax and Canada's Minister of Health, has always had a passion for helping people. He is a lifelong resident of the Ajax-Pickering area, from his school days at Westney Heights Public High School, to raising a family of three children in the area. Through dedication and hard work, he has been chosen to serve the people of Ajax for nearly two decades. Mark takes great pride in representing the people of Ajax, and in serving as the voice of his community in Ottawa.
Mark first began in a role serving in office as a Durham Regional Councillor from 1997 to 2004. During his time on council, Mark focused on the redevelopment of the Pickering waterfront, youth employment, environmental issues, and worked to keep Pickering’s taxes the lowest in Durham Region.
He served as the Member of Parliament in the former riding of Ajax-Pickering from 2004 – 2011, where he gained a reputation in Ottawa as a strong and vocal presence for both his community, and for progressive rights and values in Canada. Among the many initiatives taken up over these years in Office, he was a staunch advocate of marriage equality rights, played a key role in helping to reform Canada's animal cruelty laws, and supported the prison farm system, which provided skills training for inmates and food for local food banks.
During a time spent away from public office, Mark served as the Executive Director of the former Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s Ontario Mission, as well as National Director of Children and Youth. Mark has always supported health-related initiatives and continues to back health initiatives to this day.
In 2015, Mark was re-elected as Member of Parliament for Ajax, and from 2015-2017 he served in Parliamentary Secretary roles - including being appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness in 2017. In 2018 he was appointed as Chief Government Whip and held the position until 2021. Following the 2021 election Mark was appointed to the role of Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, helping to set the legislative priorities for the government. In July 2023 he took on the role of Canada's Minister of Health.
While the role of federal Minister of Health demands a considerable amount of time spent in Ottawa and across the country, Mark always keeps his community in mind. For the past 10 years, as a show of support, he has fasted with the local Muslim community. Mark is a strong supporter of local arts and culture groups and festivals in Ajax. He has been a supporter of environmental initiatives such as the Caruthers Creek Green Belt Initiative, and local health by helping to secure federal funding for the Grandview Children's Hospital's future Ajax location.
After more than 20 years in public service, Mark remains committed as ever to fighting for what is right, and to fighting for the people of Ajax.
Mark Holland, Member of Parliament for Ajax and Canada's Minister of Health, has always had a passion for helping people. He is a lifelong resident of the Ajax-Pickering area, from his school days at Westney Heights Public High School, to raising a family of three children in the area. Through dedication and hard work, he has been chosen to serve the people of Ajax for nearly two decades. Mark takes great pride in representing the people of Ajax, and in serving as the voice of his community in Ottawa.
Mark first began in a role serving in office as a Durham Regional Councillor from 1997 to 2004. During his time on council, Mark focused on the redevelopment of the Pickering waterfront, youth employment, environmental issues, and worked to keep Pickering’s taxes the lowest in Durham Region.
He served as the Member of Parliament in the former riding of Ajax-Pickering from 2004 – 2011, where he gained a reputation in Ottawa as a strong and vocal presence for both his community, and for progressive rights and values in Canada. Among the many initiatives taken up over these years in Office, he was a staunch advocate of marriage equality rights, played a key role in helping to reform Canada's animal cruelty laws, and supported the prison farm system, which provided skills training for inmates and food for local food banks.
During a time spent away from public office, Mark served as the Executive Director of the former Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s Ontario Mission, as well as National Director of Children and Youth. Mark has always supported health-related initiatives and continues to back health initiatives to this day.
In 2015, Mark was re-elected as Member of Parliament for Ajax, and from 2015-2017 he served in Parliamentary Secretary roles - including being appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness in 2017. In 2018 he was appointed as Chief Government Whip and held the position until 2021. Following the 2021 election Mark was appointed to the role of Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, helping to set the legislative priorities for the government. In July 2023 he took on the role of Canada's Minister of Health.
While the role of federal Minister of Health demands a considerable amount of time spent in Ottawa and across the country, Mark always keeps his community in mind. For the past 10 years, as a show of support, he has fasted with the local Muslim community. Mark is a strong supporter of local arts and culture groups and festivals in Ajax. He has been a supporter of environmental initiatives such as the Caruthers Creek Green Belt Initiative, and local health by helping to secure federal funding for the Grandview Children's Hospital's future Ajax location.
After more than 20 years in public service, Mark remains committed as ever to fighting for what is right, and to fighting for the people of Ajax.