Canada Federal Election 2025: Record 72 South Asian Candidates, Strong Punjabi Representation Seeks Parliamentary Seats
by Baljit Balli
Chandigarh/Ottawa, April 28, 2025 – As Canada heads to the polls today, a record-breaking 72 South Asian candidates — including a significant contingent of Punjabi-origin aspirants — are contesting elections across 37 Ridings nationwide, highlighting the growing political influence of the South Asian diaspora.
This year’s diverse lineup includes 32 candidates in Ontario, 24 in British Columbia, 15 in Alberta, and one in Quebec, representing a cross-section of major political parties: Conservatives (29), Liberals (21), NDP (11), Green Party (4), and People’s Party of Canada (PPC) (7).
Political analysts forecast that 15 to 24 South Asian candidates could secure parliamentary seats, potentially surpassing the 2021 record when 17 Punjabi-origin MPs were elected.
A Strong Punjabi Presence
The Punjabi-Canadian community, a key part of Canada’s South Asian population, is particularly prominent in this election.
In 2021, 45 Punjabi candidates ran, with 17 winning seats; in 2019, 47 candidates contested, with 22 elected. This year, 16 sitting Punjabi-origin MPs are seeking re-election, with many ridings witnessing direct contests between Punjabi candidates — an exciting prospect not only for voters in Canada but also for families and communities in Punjab.
Notable Punjabi-Origin Candidates Include:
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Kamal Khera (Liberal, Brampton West) – Current Minister of Health, first elected in 2015.
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Anita Anand (Liberal, Oakville) – Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; returned to contest after reconsidering her earlier decision to step back.
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Jagmeet Singh (NDP, Burnaby South) – NDP leader since 2017, a national figure for progressive politics.
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Sukh Dhaliwal (Liberal, Surrey-Newton) – Experienced MP and Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.
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Parm Bains (Liberal, Steveston–Richmond East) – First elected in 2021, with strong grassroots support.
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Maninder Sidhu (Liberal, Brampton East) – Active voice on natural resources and infrastructure.
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Bardish Chagger (Liberal, Waterloo) – Former Minister of Small Business and Tourism.
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Tim Uppal (Edmonton Gateway)
Other Key Punjabi Candidates:
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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).
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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).
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Newcomers: Amandeep Sodhi (Brampton Centre) and Rahul Walia (Winnipeg Centre).
Key Issues and Community Engagement
South Asian candidates are focusing on core issues such as:
With over 2.5 million South Asians — constituting 7.1% of Canada’s population — the community holds substantial electoral influence, particularly in urban strongholds like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Electoral Dynamics and Projections
This election cycle features high-stakes Punjabi-on-Punjabi contests in key battlegrounds such as Brampton West, Surrey-Newton, and Calgary McKnight.
The 2025 federal election signals a pivotal moment for South Asians in Canada, showcasing the community’s deepening engagement and growing role in shaping the country’s future political direction.