Punjabis in the house: 22 win Canadian federal elections

BATHINDA: Of the 343 candidates who won the federal elections in Canada, 22 are of Punjab origin — a slight rise from the 20 elected in 2019 and 17 in 2021.In all, 65 candidates of Punjab origin, representing all major parties including the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, and Greens, apart from some Independents, were contesting from the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. Of the 22 who won, 12 are Liberals and 10 are Conservatives. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, one of the most recognisable Punjabi-Canadian politicians, was the most noticable loser as he was defeated from Burnaby Central. Sitting minister Kamal Khera, too, failed to retain her seat as Amarjit Gill of the Conservative Party defeated her in Brampton West. The minister of health in PM Carney's cabinet was one of the youngest women elected to Canada's parliament in 2015 from Brampton West. Khera, a registered nurse and community volunteer, graduated from York University, Toronto, with a Bachelor of Science degree.Sitting minister and Liberal Party candidate from Oakville East, Anita Anand, won. She is the daughter of Indian immigrant doctor parents and was the minister of innovation, science, and industry in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Carney. She was one of the few MPs from the previous Justin Trudeau govt who retained a ministerial berth.Sitting Liberal MP for Waterloo Riding, Bardish Chagger, succeeded in retaining her seat. She was first elected in 2015 and was earlier the minister of diversity and inclusion and youth. Chagger graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science.Tim Uppal retained his seat as the Conservative candidate from the newly formed riding of Edmonton Gateway. He was previously a federal minister under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In Edmonton Mill Woods, Uppal was defeated by Liberal Amarjeet Sohi in 2015, but took the riding for the Conservatives in 2019. Uppal also held the seat in the 2021 election.Sukh Dhaliwal retained his seat as the Liberal Party candidate from Surrey-Newton, which he won in 2015 and 2019. He previously served as the MP for Newton-North Delta from 2006 to 2011. He is a professional engineer, land surveyor, and small business owner. Amarjeet Sohi, the mayor of Edmonton, had resigned to contest the federal election for the Liberal Party from Edmonton Southeast.