At 24 years old, Laurent de Casanove, a Mauritian residing in Ottawa, Canada, already holds the position of press secretary for Canadian Minister Kamal Khera. A unique journey for this young man whose dream came true.
It will soon be two years since Laurent de Casanove joined the Canadian government team. Currently, he serves as press secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera. In two weeks, he will take new functions within the Ministry of Transport, alongside Minister Pablo Rodriguez.
“When I started in March 2022, I worked as an issues advisor with Pablo Rodriguez, who was then Minister of Heritage. Then there was a reshuffle and I joined Minister Khera in September 2023 to be her press secretary. In two weeks, I will join the team of Pablo Rodriguez, who is now Minister of Transport,” confides Laurent de Casanove.
For the young man, occupying this position is a dream come true, especially since he never imagined he would be able to join the Canadian government. “Sometimes, when I wake up and realize my mission to advise the minister as well as other deputies on their media and public speeches, I still find it hard to believe that it is very real,” he emphasizes.
It was in August 2017 that Laurent de Casanove, former resident of Beau-Bassin in Mauritius, moved to Ottawa to study political science at the University of Ottawa, after having completed his secondary studies at the Lycée des Mascarenes. However, the first year was very difficult for him. Leaving his family, facing the cold and getting used to the Canadian way of life were not easy tasks.
“When I arrived in Canada, my priority was to integrate. The system in Canada is very different from that of Mauritius. For example, to obtain a credit card, you must establish your credit history.
Not to mention that there were other aspects that weighed on me, such as leaving my parents and especially dealing with the cold, which has a considerable impact on mental health,” he recalls.
But instead of languishing, he decided to integrate. By focusing on his integration, he opened the doors to many opportunities. To begin with, he volunteered at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, where he assisted passengers and provided them with assistance in various unforeseen situations such as lost luggage or missed flights.
“It helped me not only to enrich my CV, but also to integrate more easily by meeting people and talking to people, among other things. Then, I worked as an intern at the Speaker of the Senate's Office, then at the Canadian Museum of History and the National Arts Centre,” confides Laurent de Casanove.
After his studies, he landed a job at the Argentine Embassy as a Political and Protocol Assistant. “I dreamed of working in politics, but I didn’t know how to get there. I thought the course would be difficult. Then quite by chance, I met the Chief of Staff. We talked and he saw how passionate I was about politics. Afterwards, I had my chance,” he says.
But here again, the learning must have been rapid for the young man, who had to adapt to this ultra-fast world and to the realities linked to this position, in particular the late working hours. In return, Laurent de Casanove admits to having acquired a lot of skills.
“As an immigrant, nothing is easy. Even if some have not yet obtained Canadian citizenship, we should not get stuck on the status. Sometimes you have to wait a long time before becoming a citizen. In the meantime, we have to get moving. I became a citizen after seven years. But in the meantime, I detached myself from these identity restrictions to move forward. We must not think that we are not at home. On the contrary, you have to have an open mind and seize opportunities. »
He encourages Mauritians to consider coming to Canada while reminding them that it is important to remain realistic and be ready to take on challenges. “I advise Mauritians to consider Canada as a unique opportunity. »
It highlights the importance of hard work and open-mindedness to succeed in a new environment, while proudly recalling their reputation as hard workers across the country. “By embracing this opportunity with optimism, maintaining their determination and keeping an open mind, they can achieve great things here,” he advises.
Why not a Mauritian embassy in Canada?
Laurent de Casanove will be in Mauritius in July for three weeks. During his stay, he wants to meet with members of the government to try to put Mauritius on the map in Canada. “There are 25,000 Mauritians in Canada and this number continues to increase. I think it is time to have a Mauritian embassy in Canada. This would serve as support for our compatriots,” he said.
Look for opportunities outside of customer service
“As Mauritians are often bilingual, they find it easier to find work in customer service, answering calls. It's a good way to start, but it's not the end all be all in terms of your career. You have to look for something else. The opportunities are there. You have to know how to find them. The Mauritian community, which is already well established, is there to help newcomers. Don’t hesitate to seek help,” advises Laurent de Casanove.
He highlights the opportunity for Mauritians to contribute to filling the lack of French teachers in Canada, while noting the current challenges, thus offering a positive outlook while being aware of the obstacles to overcome: “It is imperative to establish partnerships between Mauritius and the provinces in Canada, especially in the field of education. »
