Indian-origin candidates shine in Canadian federal elections as NDP leader Jagmeet Singh faces crushing defeat
Even as New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh bowed out of the race in his Burnaby Central seat after a crushing defeat in the Canadian federal elections, Indian-origin candidates—many of them hailing from Punjab—emerged as a strong and visible force in the new Parliament. Of the roughly 75 Indian-origin candidates in the fray, around 23 are poised to win, sources indicated, an improvement from their tally of 19 in the 2021 federal polls.
Leading the group is Sukh Dhaliwal (Liberal, Surrey–Newton), who has been elected as MP for a record sixth time. Born in Punjab, the 65-year-old engineer-turned-land surveyor previously served as MP for Newton–North Delta (2006–2011) and was re-elected from Surrey–Newton in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021. Known for being easily accessible — he famously shares just one phone number with everyone — Dhaliwal overcame stiff competition, including from Conservative candidate Harjit Singh Gill, a well-known radio broadcaster with roots in a village near Ludhiana.
Randeep Sarai (Liberal, Surrey Centre), 50, an articulate lawyer and entrepreneur, also retained his seat. Born and raised in Vancouver, Sarai has represented the seat since 2015, which has a significant South Asian population.
Parm Bains (Liberal, Steveston–Richmond East), born in Victoria to a Jat Sikh family from Mahilpur, won his second consecutive election. A former media and public relations officer and instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, he was first elected to Parliament in 2021.
First-time winner Gurbux Saini (Liberal, Fleetwood–Port Kells), who migrated from Punjab in 1970 with just $8, brings a compelling personal story. A former lumber piler who rose to become a plant manager and seven-time city councillor in Williams Lake, Saini campaigned as a voice for inclusivity.
At 25, Sukhman Singh Gill (Conservative, Abbotsford–South Langley) is likely to be the youngest MP in the new House. Raised on a farm near Abbotsford, he defeated strong Independent candidate Mike De Jong. Gill's family is from Bukanwala village near Moga.
In a historic win, Indy Panchi (Conservative, New Westminster–Burnaby–Maillardville) became the first Indian-origin MP from New Westminster. Panchi drew support by focusing on housing affordability and local community issues.
Indian-origin candidates performed strongly in the province of Alberta as well. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative, Calgary East), born in Dubai to Indian parents and raised in Canada, retained his seat. A former builder, Hallan entered Parliament in 2019 and has since been a prominent Conservative voice.
Dalwinder Gill (Conservative, Calgary McKnight), a realtor for 21 years, won his first election by defeating Liberal candidate George Chahal. Gill's voter outreach through social media played a key role in his campaign.
Amanpreet Singh Gill (Conservative, Calgary Skyview), a businessman known for managing a local gurdwara, also clinched victory despite controversy surrounding his involvement in a gurdwara altercation last year.
Veteran MP Tim Uppal (Conservative, Edmonton Mill Woods), serving since 2008, secured another term. The 50-year-old has held portfolios such as Minister of State for Democratic Reform and Multiculturalism.
In Quebec, Anju Dhillon (Liberal) continued her winning streak. The 54-year-old, the first South Asian woman elected from Quebec in 2015, holds degrees in Political Science and Law and has served as Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women.
Ontario also saw several victories for Indian-origin candidates. Ruby Sahota (Liberal, Brampton North), a 54-year-old lawyer and former Minister of Democratic Institutions (2024–2025), retained her seat. First elected in 2015, Sahota was once warmly received by the Badal government during a visit to Punjab.
Iqwinder Gaheer (Liberal, Mississauga–Malton), the youngest MP in 2021, is a Harvard-educated lawyer who migrated from a village near Jalandhar as a child. He managed to retain his seat despite stiff opposition.
Maninder Sidhu (Liberal, Brampton East), a 41-year-old entrepreneur and philanthropist, was re-elected after first winning in 2019. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development.
Sonia Sidhu (Liberal, Brampton South), who arrived in Canada at the age of 23, was first elected in 2015. The 57-year-old former diabetes educator has consistently won her seat and served as vice-chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. She is known for her advocacy on women's rights and health.
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