Sima Acan

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Sima Acan
MP
Acan in 2024
Member of Parliament for
Oakville West
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 28, 2025
Preceded bynew riding
Personal details
Born1979 (age 45–46)
Ankara, Turkey
Political partyLiberal
Alma materIşık University
OccupationPolitician, businesswoman
Websitesimaacan.ca

Sima Acan MP is a Canadian politician from the Liberal Party of Canada. She was elected Member of Parliament for Oakville West in the 2025 Canadian federal election. Acan is the first Canadian of Turkish descent elected to the House of Commons,[1] and is a former president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations.

Early life and career

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Acan was born in Ankara, Turkey in 1979.[2][1] She graduated in 2003 from Işık University and immigrated to Canada in 2007 at age 24.[2][1]

Acan was previously the president of the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations. In the immediate aftermath of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, she criticized the Canadian government for not committing to sending search and rescue teams and instead only doing assessments of how it could best help 60 hours after the disaster.[3] While she was president, the group released a 2023 statement in which the Armenian genocide was denied. When questioned about her role by The Hill Times in May 2025, Acan released a statement that she was not involved in the drafting of the statement and supported the Canadian government's Armenian genocide recognition.[4]

Acan owns a robotics company in Oakville, Ontario.[2]

Federal politics

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On August 20, 2024, Acan announced she will be seeking the nomination to become the Liberal candidate for the new riding of Oakville West, after MP Pam Damoff announced she will not be seeking re-election earlier that year.[5][6] On November 13, 2024, Acan was acclaimed as the Liberal Party candidate for Oakville West in the 2025 federal election, making her the first ever female Turkish-Canadian candidate.[7][8] She was elected on April 28, 2025 with an over 8% lead.[9][10] The victory made her the first Member of Parliament of Turkish descent.[1][2][11]

Personal life

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Acan lives in Oakville with her husband and two children.[2][12]

Electoral results

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2025 Canadian federal election: Oakville West
** Preliminary results — Not yet official **
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Sima Acan 31,383 52.94 +5.45
Conservative Tim Crowder 26,402 44.54 +6.07
New Democratic Diane Downey 823 1.39 –7.31
Green Chris Kowalchuk 360 0.61 –1.11
People's JD Meaney 252 0.43 –3.19
Independent Martin Gegus 61 0.10 N/A
Total valid votes/expense limit
Total rejected ballots
Turnout 59,281 73.64
Eligible voters 80,503
Liberal notional hold Swing –0.31
Source: Elections Canada[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Murray, Nick (May 5, 2025). "Newly elected MPs start parliamentary orientation sessions on days in Ottawa". Times Colonist. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Canada elects first lawmaker of Turkish descent - World News". Hürriyet Daily News. 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  3. ^ Griffin, Tyler; Smith, Jessica (February 8, 2023). "Canadian assessment team deployed to Turkey as earthquake rescue efforts close". The Canadian Press. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  4. ^ Moss, Neil (May 14, 2025). "New Liberal MP-elect led group that denied Armenian genocide, but backs feds' recognition". The Hill Times. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Acan, Sima (August 20, 2024). "Facebook".
  6. ^ Ballingall, Alex (2024-05-02). "Pam Damoff won't seek re-election, citing fears for her safety and disgust with toxicity in politics". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  7. ^ Martinez Ferrada, Soraya; Duguid, Terry (November 13, 2024). "ACCLAMATION NOTICE – Oakville West". Liberal Party of Canada. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  8. ^ Koca, Irem (April 16, 2025). "'I want to be the proof that the Canadian dream is alive,' says country's first female Turkish Canadian federal candidate". The Hill Times. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  9. ^ Staff, Metroland (2025-04-28). "Sima Acan wins Oakville West for Liberals". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  10. ^ "BREAKING: Sima Acan elected as first MP for Oakville West". Oakville News. 2025-04-29. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  11. ^ Aydogan, Merve (April 29, 2025). "Sima Acan first Turkish-Canadian elected to parliament". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  12. ^ "Liberal candidate for Oakville West seeks to strengthen economy". Oakville News. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Voter information service". Elections Canada. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  14. ^ "Election Night Results - Electoral Districts". Elections Canada. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.


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