With Canada having federal elections on April 28, a record 65 candidates of Punjabi descent are contesting the elections in the country, a reflection of the political clout that the community is gaining.
Diaspora dominance -
45 Punjabi candidates contested and 17 were elected to the House of Commons in 2021, and 47 contested and 22 were elected in 2019.
16 incumbent Punjabi-origin MPs are standing for re-election this time; there will be straight contests between Punjabi candidates in some seats.
All of these candidates belonging to top federal parties such as Liberals, Conservatives, NDP and Greens and standing as Independents are competing with one another in major provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba.
The Punjabi community, which is a significant section of Canada's South Asian community, has strengthened their political representation over the years. This year's election is a mix of seasoned politicians and fresh faces, comprising professionals, businessmen, teachers and community workers.
In 2021, 45 Punjabi candidates contested with 17 getting elected to the House of Commons, and in 2019, 47 contested and 22 were elected. This year, 16 sitting Punjabi-origin MPs are defending their seats and some constituencies will have direct fights between Punjabi candidates, providing an extra interest for voters and observers and their families back home.
Major race candidates are Liberal Party's Kamal Khera, Brampton West sitting MP and present Health Minister, and Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Anita Anand, seeking re-election from Oakville. Former minister and sitting MP Bardish Chagger is seeking re-election from Waterloo. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, the most popular Punjabi-Canadian politician, is seeking re-election from Burnaby Central for the second time.
Liberals have fielded a strong team of Punjabi candidates, some of whose names are as follows: Anju Dhillon (Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle), Ruby Sahota (Brampton North), Sonia Sidhu (Brampton South), Amarjeet Singh Sohi (Edmonton Southeast), Rahul Walia (Winnipeg Centre), George Chahal (Calgary McKnight), Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre) and Sukh Dhaliwal (Surrey Newton).
Conservatives, on their part, have nominated candidates like Gurmit Sandhu (Scarborough North), Tim Uppal (Edmonton Gateway), Jasraj Hallan (Calgary East), Taran Chahal (Brampton Centre), Dalwinder Gill (Calgary Mcknight), Amanpreet S Gill (Calgary Skyview), Rajvir Dhillon (Surrey Centre) and Harjit Singh Gill (Surrey Newton).
Rookies like Amandeep Sodhi (Brampton Centre) and Rahul Walia (Winnipeg Centre) are also standing for the first time with the support of a major party.
Contesting on such issues as immigration, health care reform, economic prospects and Canadian foreign policy — that is, Canada's relations with India and South Asia — such candidates are resonating with a growing South Asian voting bloc.
Gurpreet Singh, Brampton community activist, had this to say, "As proud Punjabi-Canadians, our voice as a community becomes stronger in determining Canada's future. With each federal election, we notice more participation — not only at the ballot box, but through candidacies, policy-making and bridging communities."
Manpreet Kaur, an organizer among youth in Surrey, added, "Punjabis have enriched Canada's economic and cultural fabric for generations. Our increasing engagement in federal politics is testament to this legacy. Each vote we cast is a vote for our identity, our values and our vision for a more representative and inclusive Canada."