BY PAUL JUNOR
On October 26th, 2021, Marci Ien was appointed as the Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Youth. This appointment is truly the culmination of her many years of hard work, dedication and commitment to improving the lives of the marginalized, underserved and stigmatized in society.
She became the second Black woman in Canadian history to be appointed to a cabinet position after the legendary Dr. Jean Augustine. It has been truly a historic rise for the former broadcaster who has a long and distinguished career in television broadcasting. Many may remember her from the One Hundred Huntley series, “Circle Square Ranch,” which aired during the 1970s and 1980s across Canada and worldwide.
She revealed personal information at her website: marci.liberal.ca for her constituents and the public to get to know her better during the recent federal election campaign. It was on July 29th, 1969, that her parents, Joel Ien and Vilna Ien welcomed her into the world in Regent Park in Toronto. She is married to Lloyd Exeter, and they are proud parents of two children, Blaize and Dash. She studied radio and television broadcasting at Ryerson University and graduated in 1991 along with Dwight Drummond who is a news anchor at CBC News.
She worked at Hamilton CHCH-TV, and in 1995 won the News Director Award for her series “Journey to Freedom: A Look at the Underground Railroad.” She moved on to become the co-host and news anchor of the national morning program, Canada AM for fifteen years. As a CTV National News reporter in Vancouver, she covered the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and she became one of the co-hosts of the daytime program The Social.
As one of Canada’s most recognized and respected broadcasters, she was awarded a Harry Jerome Awards in 2008, by the Black Business and Professional Association. Ms. Ien has contributed many years to community work. She was a volunteer with the African-Heritage Educators Network (AHEN) “Project 90” program at their weekly Saturday event at Northview Heights Secondary School for many years.
In addition, she travelled to Sierra Leone in 2000 on behalf of Journalists for Human Rights. Currently, she is a mentor with Trust 15, a mentorship and leadership-based afternoon program founded by Marcia Brown and located in North Etobicoke.
Ms. Ien decided to enter federal politics after the resignation of the former Finance Minister. She won the seat eleven months ago and regained the seat less than a year later in the September 2021 election. In her campaign platform, she wrote, “Marci is committed to bringing the voice of Toronto Centre constituents in the House of Commons and continuing the fight alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal caucus for: inclusion, equality ensuring that everyone in Toronto Centre and across Canada have a fair chance of success.”
The release of her first book” Off Script: Living Out Loud,” came a day after her election. It chronicles her personal journey of success in broadcasting, experiences, interviews and her rise as a television personality. Her Trinidadian background will bring ethnic diversity to the House of Parliament when it opens in late November. She will be one of nineteen women.
