200 Indian-origin individuals hold parliamentary positions in 15 countries

22 Indian-origin Punjabis win Canadian federal elections

- BY S VENKAT NARAYAN,

Of the 343 candidates who won the federal elections in Canada, 22 are of Indian-origin Punjab— a slight rise from the 20 elected in 2019 and 17 in 2021.

In all, 65 candidates of Punjab origin, representing all major parties including the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, and Greens, apart from some Independents, were contesting from the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba.

Of the 22 who won, 12 are Liberals and 10 are Conservatives.

As of April 2025, individuals of Indian origin hold parliamentary positions in at least 15 countries, with over 200 occupying leadership roles globally, including more than 60 in cabinet-level positions.

Over 30 million people of Indian origin now live in more than 200 countries.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, one of the most recognisable Punjabi-Canadian politicians, was the most noticeable loser as he was defeated from Burnaby Central.

Sitting minister Kamal Khera, too, failed to retain her seat as Amarjit Gill of the Conservative Party defeated her in Brampton West. The minister of health in PM Carney's cabinet was one of the youngest women elected to Canada's parliament in 2015 from Brampton West. Khera, a registered nurse and community volunteer, graduated from York University, Toronto, with a Bachelor of Science degree.