Karim Bardeesy
2026 Riddell Reception Panelist
Karim Bardeesy was elected in April 2025 as the Member of Parliament for Taiaiako’n–Parkdale–High Park, representing the Liberal Party. He serves as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, advancing innovation, economic growth, and opportunity for Canadians.
A lifelong public servant, Karim co-founded and led the Dais, a national public policy and leadership institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, focused on forward-thinking work in technology, education, and democratic renewal. He previously served as Deputy Principal Secretary to Premier Kathleen Wynne, and as Executive Director of Policy under Premiers Wynne and Dalton McGuinty, where he led
transformative initiatives to improve infrastructure, expand student support, and deliver stronger pensions for Ontarians.
Karim began his career in journalism, writing for The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and Slate. He holds degrees from McGill University and Harvard Kennedy School, and has taught courses on public policy and leadership at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto. Karim’s dedication has earned him two teaching awards and, recently, the King Charles III Coronation Medal for strengthening Canada’s democracy.
Karim lives in Roncesvalles Village with his wife and two children. The son of
immigrants from Egypt and England, he was raised in Bathurst, New Brunswick.