Evan Solomon: From CBC Host to Canada’s AI Minister – Biography

It’s not every day a journalist who lost his job over an ethics scandal ends up in the cabinet. But Evan Solomon, once a familiar face on CBC’s political coverage, has pulled off one of the most unexpected career comebacks in Canadian public life. In May 2025, he was appointed Canada’s first Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, a portfolio that barely existed a year before.

Born: 1966 ·
Former CBC Host: 2000–2015 ·
Appointed Minister of AI and Digital Innovation: May 2025 ·
Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre: 2025–present ·
Spouse: Lisa Kay Solomon (m. 1996)

Six fast facts about Evan Solomon, from education to family life.

What happened to Evan Solomon?

Evan Solomon’s career took a dramatic turn in 2025 when he was elected as the Liberal MP for Toronto Centre and quickly elevated to cabinet. His appointment as Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation in May 2025 made him the first person to hold that portfolio in Canadian history, according to the Government of Canada official ministerial biography.

When did Evan Solomon become minister?

• He was sworn in as Minister of AI and Digital Innovation in May 2025 (Government of Canada official biography).
• He also serves as Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (Government of Canada official biography).

What was his previous career?

Before politics, Solomon spent more than two decades in broadcasting. He hosted CBC’s Power & Politics and The House, and later CTV’s Power Play and Question Period, according to the Government of Canada official biography. He was also a columnist for Maclean’s and The Globe and Mail, publisher of GZERO Media, and a senior executive at Eurasia Group.

Why was Evan Solomon let go from CBC?

In 2015, the CBC terminated Solomon after an internal investigation found he was running a side business selling art to people he covered on his shows. The network stated that he “violated CBC’s ethics policy regarding his side business,” as reported by Wikipedia crowdsourced biography and major Canadian outlets at the time.

What ethics controversy led to his dismissal?

• Solomon owned a gallery and brokered art deals with sources, creating a conflict of interest (Wikipedia crowdsourced biography).
• The CBC’s standards prohibit employees from engaging in outside activities that could compromise impartiality.

What was the CBC’s official statement?

In a public statement, CBC said: “Evan Solomon violated CBC’s ethics policy regarding his side business. As a result, his employment has been terminated.” The exact wording is cited by Wikipedia crowdsourced biography.

“Evan Solomon violated CBC’s ethics policy regarding his side business.”

CBC statement, 2015 — via Wikipedia

Who is Evan Solomon’s wife?

Evan Solomon married Lisa Kay Solomon in 1996. Lisa is an educator and author affiliated with the Stanford d.school, known for her work in design thinking and educational innovation. The couple lives in Toronto and has two children, according to the Empire Club of Canada event biography.

Who is Lisa Kay Solomon?

• Lisa Kay Solomon is a design thinking educator and co-author of several books (Empire Club of Canada event biography).
• She teaches at the Stanford d.school and is a recognized thought leader in innovation pedagogy.

What is Lisa Solomon known for?

She is best known for popularizing design thinking tools in K-12 and higher education. Her work emphasizes creative confidence and human-centered problem solving. No direct conflict with her husband’s political role has been reported.

What is Evan Solomon’s net worth?

Exact figures are not publicly available. As an MP, the base salary is CAD 194,600, plus a ministerial salary that adds roughly CAD 80,000–100,000 annually. Solomon also earned income from his years in media, book publishing, and executive roles. However, no official disclosure of total net worth has been made, and his parliamentary declarations do not include a complete asset statement.

What is an MP’s salary in Canada?

• Base salary for a Member of Parliament in 2025 is CAD 194,600 (House of Commons of Canada member profile).
• Ministers receive an additional sum, bringing total compensation to around CAD 280,000.

Does Evan Solomon have other sources of income?

He may have income from book royalties (he co-authored Fueling the Future and Feeding the Future) and prior roles at Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. None of these are detailed in his government biography (Government of Canada official biography).

How did Evan Solomon become a politician?

After his CBC firing, Solomon moved into the private sector and media commentary. In 2025, he ran as the Liberal candidate in Toronto Centre, a safe Liberal seat, and won in the April 2025 election. Shortly after, Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed him to cabinet, creating a new portfolio focused on artificial intelligence.

What party does he belong to?

He is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada (House of Commons of Canada member profile).

What was his path from journalism to politics?

• 2015–2025: Hosted podcasts, wrote books, served as publisher of GZERO Media, senior executive at Eurasia Group.
• 2025: Won Toronto Centre in the federal election.
• May 2025: Appointed to cabinet as Minister of AI and Digital Innovation (Government of Canada official biography).

The implication: Solomon’s move from media to politics is not entirely unique in Canada, but his rapid ascent to a new, high-profile portfolio signals the government’s emphasis on AI as a strategic priority.

Solomon now holds a portfolio that will shape how Canada regulates and promotes artificial intelligence. He has described the mission as having two parts: “AI for everyone” so that all Canadians benefit, and a push to secure digital sovereignty. For the Liberal government, the choice of a former broadcaster turned minister reflects a bet that communication skills and public trust are as important as technical expertise. For Solomon, the implication is clear: he must deliver on the AI agenda, or risk being remembered not as a pioneer, but as a political gamble that didn’t pay off.