Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): As Canadians head to the polls today, a record 72 South Asian candidates, including a notably strong contingent of Punjabi-origin hopefuls, are contesting across 37 ridings nationwide, reflecting the community’s surging political presence.
This year’s candidates span the country, with 32 from Ontario, 24 from British Columbia, 15 from Alberta, and one from Quebec. They represent a spectrum of political parties: Conservatives (29), Liberals (21), NDP (11), Green Party (4), and People’s Party of Canada (PPC) (7).
Political observers predict that between 15 to 24 South Asian candidates could win seats, potentially surpassing the milestone set in 2021 when 17 Punjabi-origin Members of Parliament were elected.
Punjabi-Canadian Aspirants Make a Strong Impact
Punjabi-Canadians, a cornerstone of Canada’s South Asian population, are particularly prominent this election season.
In 2021, 45 Punjabi candidates contested and 17 won; in 2019, 47 candidates ran, with 22 securing victories. This time, 16 sitting MPs of Punjabi descent are seeking re-election, with several ridings witnessing direct contests between Punjabi-origin candidates, a trend closely watched not just in Canada but also back in Punjab.
Noteworthy Punjabi-Origin Candidates:
- Kamal Khera (Liberal, Brampton West) – Minister of Health, first elected in 2015.
- Anita Anand (Liberal, Oakville) – Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, making a political return after reconsidering her earlier decision to step back.
- Jagmeet Singh (NDP, Burnaby South) – Federal NDP leader and a major progressive voice since 2017.
- Sukh Dhaliwal (Liberal, Surrey-Newton) – Veteran MP and Chair of the Citizenship and Immigration Committee.
- Parm Bains (Liberal, Steveston–Richmond East) – Strong grassroots connections since his 2021 victory.
- Maninder Sidhu (Liberal, Brampton East) – Focused on natural resources and infrastructure advocacy.
- Bardish Chagger (Liberal, Waterloo) – Former Minister of Small Business and Tourism.
- Tim Uppal (Conservative, Edmonton Gateway) – Senior Conservative figure.
Other Key Contenders:
Liberals:
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).
Conservatives:
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), Harjit Singh Gill (Surrey-Newton).
New Entrants:
Amandeep Sodhi (Brampton Centre) and Rahul Walia (Winnipeg Centre).
Key Issues Driving the Campaign
South Asian candidates are rallying voters around core concerns such as:
- Immigration reform
- Affordable housing
- Healthcare accessibility
- Managing economic growth
- Canada’s shifting foreign policy posture, especially amid diplomatic tensions with India
With South Asians now making up 7.1% of Canada’s population, about 2.5 million people, their influence is particularly pronounced in urban hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Tight Races and a Historic Moment
High-stakes Punjabi-on-Punjabi battles are underway in crucial ridings including Brampton West, Surrey-Newton, and Calgary McKnight, setting the stage for dramatic outcomes.
The 2025 federal election marks a defining moment for Canada’s South Asian diaspora, showcasing a deepening commitment to civic engagement and a growing ability to shape the country’s political future.
