Latest news with #GurbuxSaini
National Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
Liberal MPs voice concerns to Carney over G7 invite to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi
OTTAWA — A Liberal MP says he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney to raise concerns about the decision to invite India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada to attend the upcoming G7 summit. Article content Sukh Dhaliwal represents the Surrey, B.C. riding, where prominent Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot outside of a temple in June 2023, a killing that Canada has linked to agents acting on behalf of the Indian government. Article content Article content Article content India has denied any involvement in Nijjar's death. Four Indian nationals have been charged in the killing. Article content Gurbux Saini, the Liberal MP for the riding of Fleetwood—Port Kells, said he also raised the issue with the prime minister and said he disagrees with the decision to invite Modi. Article content 'It's not a Hindu-Sikh issue,' Saini told reporters. 'It's a Canadian issue.' Article content Saini cited statements made by the RCMP that it has evidence showing India's government to be involved in violent crime unfolding in Canada, from murders to intimidation by criminal gangs towards the South Asian community. Article content Article content 'India has to be accountable,' Saini said. Article content 'They have to give assurance that they are going to cooperate with our agencies.' Article content He suggested that not only was the invitation to Modi damaging to Canada's reputation, but that he was also concerned about a report that Canada had extended an invitation to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Human rights groups like Amnesty International about what they say has been the erosion of human rights under his leadership. Article content 'It is a damaging thing, because Canadians are known in the world as caring and compassionate and people who love human rights.' Article content Carney's office confirmed he and the crown prince recently spoke on 'deepening bilateral trade' and discussed other issues, including energy security and the need for peace in the Middle East. Article content Last week, Carney defended his decision to invite Modi to next week's G7 meeting by saying that he did so as chair of the leaders' group and that it was important for India to be at the table for discussions on trade and security, given it plays a central role in supply chains as well as boasts the world's fifth-largest economy and largest population.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Is Canada losing its European identity? 2025 election results signal a transforming nation
This year's election reveals an unprecedented transformation in the ethnic and cultural makeup of Canada 's political leadership, reflecting the growing influence of South Asian, Black, Jewish, Turkish, and other non-European communities. While celebrated as a milestone for multicultural representation, it also prompts debate about Canada's historical identity and evolving values. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan reopens Attari-Wagah border to allow stranded citizens in India to return Key Jammu & Kashmir reservoirs' flushing to begin soon Air India sees Pakistan airspace ban costing it $600 mn over 12 months Also read: Punjab-origin leaders win 22 seats in Canada elections 22 Indian-origin MPs reflect deep demographic shift A historic 22 Indian-origin candidates, who trace their ancestry to the Punjab, were elected to Canada's 45th Parliament , marking the highest representation of this ethnic group to date. Concentrated in key provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, these MPs represent both political veterans and a wave of first-time legislators. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Denne nye aircondition-køler køler rummet ned på få sekunder Aircondition | Søgeannoncer Lær mere While the Liberal Party remains the dominant force among Punjabi candidates—thanks to its enduring support for immigration, healthcare, and multicultural inclusion—Punjabi-origin MPs also secured seats under the Conservative Party and the NDP , showing a shift from identity-based loyalty to broader ideological engagement. These politicians are not only symbolic of rising South Asian influence but also shape Canada's domestic and foreign agendas—particularly in relation to India, trade with Punjab, immigration reform, and diaspora engagement. South Asians and beyond: a broader non-European surge The Punjabi community isn't the only group reshaping Canada's federal landscape. In a striking example of diversity, Aslam Rana, a Canadian of Pakistani descent, won in Hamilton Centre for the Liberals—ending decades of NDP control in the riding. Gurbux Saini, another Liberal MP , represents Fleetwood–Port Kells and brings visibility to broader Indian diaspora concerns. Live Events On the Conservative front, Amarjeet Gill won in Brampton West, unseating Kamal Khera. These wins signify that the growing South Asian presence in Parliament isn't politically homogenous—it spans parties and ideologies, further cementing their institutional permanence. Also read: The final result: Who won what in 2025 Canada federal election, and why Other Gujarati-origin candidates such as Jayesh Brahmbhatt, Ashok Patel, and Sunjiv Raval also participated, representing Canada's expanding Indo-Canadian political engagement, though their electoral outcomes varied. First Turkish-Canadian MP and expanding Muslim representation In another significant milestone, Sima Acan became the first Turkish-Canadian elected to Parliament, representing Oakville West for the Liberals. Her win highlights the increasing political participation of Muslim Canadians, many of whom now see Parliament as a space not only for representation but for policymaking influence. Black Canadians continue breaking barriers Arielle Kayabaga, born in Burundi, retained her seat in London West and now serves as both Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Democratic Institutions. Her leadership illustrates the growing role of Black Canadians in the federal cabinet, a demographic long underrepresented in high office. Kayabaga's journey from a refugee to a national leader represents the evolving face of Canadian governance. Also read: Can Indo-Canada relations improve with Carney's win Jewish and Other Faith-Based Representation in Focus Religious diversity in Parliament also increased, with Tamara Kronis, a Jewish human rights advocate, winning a seat in Nanaimo—Ladysmith as a Conservative MP. This speaks to the rise of non-Christian, non-European faith-based communities within Canada's democratic institutions. Is the European identity fading? Historically, Canada's national identity was closely tied to its British and French colonial roots—reflected in its governance, culture, and immigration policies. For much of the 20th century, Parliament was overwhelmingly populated by European-ancestry legislators, reinforcing a political elite steeped in Anglo-European traditions. The 2025 election results challenge that legacy. With dozens of MPs of non-European descent now sitting in Parliament, Canada appears to be transitioning toward a pluralistic model where identity, representation, and policy are shaped by global diasporas rather than a singular colonial heritage. This doesn't necessarily mean a complete erasure of European identity—but it does reflect a dilution of dominance in both symbolic and practical terms. European identity is no longer the default; it is now part of a much broader multicultural mosaic. Canada's changing demographics: a growing non-European population In tandem with these political shifts, Canada's demographic landscape is also evolving. According to the 2021 Canadian Census, approximately 52.5% of Canadians identify as having European ancestry, while 47.5% identify as having non-European origins, which includes Asian, African, Indigenous, Latin American, Caribbean, and other origins. Also read: Canada election sparks hopes for revived Indian student interest amid declining enrolments This balance marks a key turning point in Canada's identity. The growing proportion of non-European Canadians has also been reflected in the nation's voting patterns, which have increasingly favored political leaders from these diverse backgrounds. Further projections from Statistics Canada indicate that by 2041, the proportion of Canadians identifying as part of a visible minority (a term used to describe non-Caucasian and non-Indigenous peoples) could reach between 38.2% and 43.0% of the total population, up from 26.5% in 2021. This projection signals that Canada's shift towards a more diverse society is not a temporary trend but an ongoing demographic transformation that will continue to influence both politics and culture. Conclusion: the new Canada Canada's 2025 federal election may be remembered not only for who won, but for what it revealed: a nation in transformation. With the rise of MPs from Punjabi, South Asian, Black, Turkish, and Jewish backgrounds, the House of Commons now looks more like Canada itself. While some may ask if Canada is losing its European identity, others see it as evolving beyond it—into a truly global democracy where heritage is diverse, inclusive, and reflective of a 21st-century nation. The question now isn't whether Canada is changing—it's whether its institutions, media, and national narratives are ready to embrace this change. Key facts about Canada's demographic changes: European Ancestry (2021): 52.5% Non-European Ancestry (2021): 47.5% (including Asian, African, Indigenous, Latin American, Caribbean, and other origins) Projected Visible Minority Proportion (2041): 38.2%–43.0%
