Bas Balkissoon

Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services

Bas Balkissoon was first elected to the Ontario legislature in a by-election in 2005 and was re-elected in 2011 for the riding of Scarborough-Rouge River. He was made Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services in September 2010. He previously served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Balkissoon also served as a member of the Legislature Select Committee on Mental Health and Addiction that delivered a comprehensive report on a new service delivery model for Ontario. He also served on the government committee that reported on a multi-year poverty reduction strategy.  

Before entering politics, Balkissoon worked for Bell Canada for 17 years in various management positions. During that time, he served as an advisor to the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Post, Telephone and Telegraph for over two and a half years.

Balkissoon was first elected to Scarborough City Council in 1988. During his 17-year career in municipal politics on Scarborough Council and then the amalgamated City of Toronto, he served on several standing committees, including the Budget Committee, Audit Committee, Toronto Transit Commission and Toronto Police Services Board. He also served as Chairman of Waste Diversion Ontario and as a board member for the Metro Toronto Housing Authority and the Social Housing Services Corporation.

Balkissoon and his family have lived in Scarborough-Rouge River for over 30 years.