Defence Minister Peter MacKay announces birth of son 'Kian Alexander'

Defence Minister Peter MacKay and his wife, Nazanin Afshin-Jam, welcomed a new baby boy into the world Monday.

MacKay announced the arrival of son, Kian Alexander MacKay, on Twitter and Facebook.

“Welcome to the world Kian Alexander MacKay. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support. We are overjoyed with our baby boy,” MacKay said.

Kian Alexander MacKay was born at 4:52 a.m. in Ottawa, weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces, according to Nova Scotia’s The News.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulated the couple on Twitter.

“Laureen and I are thrilled to hear the news of Kian Alexander MacKay's arrival. We send our best wishes to Peter and Nazanin,” Harper said.

Laureen Harper tweeted: “Congratulations to Peter and Nazanin! I can’t wait to meet little Kian.”

Others offering the couple congratulations online included Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, Treasury Board Minister Tony Clement and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

This is the first child for the couple. MacKay and Afshin-Jam were married in January 2012.

Afshin-Jam is a human rights activist, public speaker and recording artist. She is co-founder of the group ‘Stop Child Executions,” an organization that aims to stop child executions in Iran.