Ya’ara Saks

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Represents the riding of York Centre

Ya’ara Saks was first elected as the Member of Parliament for York Centre in 2020.

In this role, Ms. Saks previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. She was also a member of various parliamentary associations and interparliamentary groups.

Ms. Saks is a long-time community advocate and a firm believer in the values of equality and diversity who has devoted her career to addressing inequalities in society. Before entering politics, Ms. Saks was a successful small business owner and the Director of Trauma Practice for Healthy Communities, a Toronto-based mental health charity working for better access to mental health services.

Ms. Saks brings a Canadian and global perspective to her community engagement work. She has held advisory roles in policy, communications, and project management, having worked in the Office of the Mayor of Jerusalem and on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Ms. Saks holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Middle East Studies from McGill University and a Master of International Relations and Diplomacy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Ms. Saks lives in Bathurst Manor and is the mother of two teenage daughters.