British Columbia’s Provincial Elections: 27 Punjabi-origin candidates in race
British Columbia’s Provincial Elections: As British Columbia gears up for its provincial elections on October 19, a notable feature of the contest is the significant number of Punjabi-origin candidates in the fray. As many as 27 Punjabis are seeking election across the province’s 93 constituencies, reflecting the growing political influence of South Asians, particularly Punjabis, in Canadian politics.
Both major parties—the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Conservative Party—are relying heavily on the support of South Asian communities, especially Punjabis, and have ensured they are well-represented on their tickets. Notably, In the 2020 provincial elections, eight candidates of Punjabi origin secured victories, with seven of them running again this year.
NDP’s strong Punjabi representation
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has fielded a number of high-profile candidates of Punjabi origin. Leading the pack is Ravi Kahlon, the current Minister of Housing and Government House Leader, who is contesting from his Delta seat. Kahlon, a former hockey player, has represented Canada in several international tournaments, including the 2000 and 2008 Summer Olympics. His presence in the provincial government and his record in housing development has made him a key figure in the NDP’s campaign.
Another prominent figure is Rachna Singh, the sitting Minister of Education and Child Care, who is running for re-election from Surrey North for a third term. Singh was born in Delhi and raised in Chandigarh before pursuing her master's degree in psychology from Panjab University. Her dedication to education reform and child care initiatives has garnered her widespread support in her constituency, and she remains a strong candidate for the upcoming election.
The NDP has also put forward Raj Chauhan, a senior leader who currently serves as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Chauhan’s long and distinguished career in public service includes roles as Assistant Deputy Speaker and Deputy Speaker. He has also been a critic for mental health, human rights, immigration, multiculturalism, and labor. First elected as an MLA in 2005, Chauhan has been re-elected in every election since and is now contesting for a record sixth term.
Jagroop Brar, another significant figure in the NDP lineup, is also running for re-election. Brar, who has been the Minister of State for Trade since 2022, is contesting from Surrey Fleetwood. Born in Bathinda, India, Brar was once a part of the Indian men’s national basketball team before moving to Canada for higher education. He has been involved in politics since 2004 and has won every election he has contested except in 2013. He is now seeking his seventh term as an MLA.
Other Punjabi candidates from the NDP include Kamal Grewal from Kamloops Centre, Harpreet Badowal from Kelowna Mission, Harwinder Sandhu from Vernon Lumby, and Baltej Dhillon from Surrey Serpentine River.
Additionally, Aman Singh is contesting from Richmond Queensborough, Anne Kang from Burnaby Centre, Reah Arora from Burnaby East, Niki Sharma from Vancouver Hastings, Sunita Dhir from Vancouver Langara, Ravi Parmar from Langford Highland, and Jinny Sin.
Conservative Party’s Punjabi candidates
Not to be outdone, the Conservative Party has also fielded several candidates of Punjabi origin in key constituencies. Harman Bhangu is running from Langley Abbotsford, and Avtar Gill is contesting from Surrey Fleetwood. In Surrey Guildford, Honveer S. Randhawa is representing the Conservative Party, while Tegjot Bal is the candidate for Surrey Newton.
Mandeep Dhaliwal is running from Surrey North, and Deepak Suri is contesting from Burnaby Westminster. Jagdeep Sanghera rounds out the Conservative Party’s Punjabi candidates, contesting from Vancouver Fraserview.
Green Party and Independent candidates
In addition to the NDP and Conservative candidates, Manjeet Sahota is running as the Green Party candidate from Surrey Guildford. The presence of a Punjabi-origin candidate in the Green Party underscores the community's political engagement across the spectrum of Canadian politics.
Several Independent candidates of Punjabi origin are also in the fray. Pavneet Singh, Amandeep Singh, Amrit Birring, and Dupinder Saran are running as Independents in different constituencies, adding another layer of diversity to the electoral contest. These candidates represent a range of backgrounds and policy positions, further reflecting the dynamic and varied political landscape of the Punjabi community in British Columbia.
Notable Absence: Harry Bains
A significant absence in this year’s elections is Harry Bains, a veteran NDP leader who has retired from politics. Bains served as an MLA from Surrey Newton since 2005 and was a prominent figure in British Columbia’s provincial government. His decision to step down marks the end of a long and distinguished career in public service, and his contributions to the NDP and the province’s political scene will be missed.
- With inputs from agencies
