Alberta provincial elections in Canada are scheduled for May 29 for all 87 constituencies, and as many as 15 candidates of Punjabi descent are running.
National Democratic Party (NDP) and United Conservative Party of Alberta (UCP) are not only relying significantly on South Asians and Punjabis in particular, but they have also given their communities “adequate representation” by fielding them. The majority of candidates in Calgary and Edmonton are Punjabis.
Rajan Sawhney (Cabinet Minister for Trade, Immigration, and Multiculturalism), contesting from Calgary North-West on a UCP ticket, Devinder Toor (MLA), seeking re-election from Calgary-Falconridge on a UCP ticket, and Jasvir Deol (MLA), contesting from Edmonton Meadows on an NDP ticket, are the most prominent Punjabi candidates.
In 2019, Sawhney won the Calgary North-East riding and earlier this year, she announced that she would not seek re-election from here. However, after the UCP Environment Minister and Calgary North West incumbent candidate Sonya Savage announced her retirement from politics, the UCP announced Sawhney as a candidate.
Sawhney holds degrees in economics and political science in addition to an MBA from the University of Calgary. Prior to her political career, she spent over two decades in the energy and gas industry.
Rajan Sawhney stated, “I will work hard every day to see Calgary North-West move forward with growth, prosperity, and a more affordable Alberta, as we cannot afford to return to decline, high taxes, and the NDP’s failed policies.”
Amanpreet Singh Gill of Calgary-Bhullar-McCall, Inder Grewal of Calgary North-East, R Singh Bath of Edmonton Ellerslie, Amritpal Singh Matharu of Edmonton Meadows, and Raman Athwal of Edmonton Mill Woods have also been nominated by the UCP.
Gurinder Singh Gill from Calgary-Cross, Parmeet Singh Boparai from Calgary-Falconridge, Gurinder Brar from Calgary North-East, and Harry Singh from Drayton Valley-Devon are additional Punjabi NDP candidates.
Aman Sandhu is running for Calgary-Cross on the Green Party of Alberta (GPA) platform, Jeewan Mangat for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake on the Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta (WIPA), and Braham Luddu for Lethbridge-West on the Alberta Party (AP).
