In a landmark moment for Canada’s South Asian community, a record 24 Indian-origin candidates—many of them of Punjabi descent—have been elected to the House of Commons in the 2025 federal election. This marks a new high in representation, up from the 21 Indian-origin MPs elected in 2021, and reflects the growing influence of the Indian diaspora in national politics.
While the evening saw major breakthroughs, it also marked a dramatic turning point for the New Democratic Party. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh lost his Burnaby Central seat, finishing third behind both Liberal and Conservative candidates. His defeat, combined with the party’s collapse to just seven seats, puts the NDP at risk of losing its official party status in Parliament.
Among the Liberal Party’s Indian-origin winners were several seasoned parliamentarians, including Anita Anand (Oakville East), Bardish Chagger (Waterloo), Sukh Dhaliwal (Surrey–Newton), Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre), and Parm Bains (Steveston–Richmond East). First-time MP Gurbux Saini (Fleetwood–Port Kells) also made headlines for his compelling journey from a working-class immigrant to elected official.
Amandeep Sodhi emerged as a fresh Liberal face in Brampton Centre, securing a decisive win and becoming one of the youngest MPs from the region. Her victory reflects a generational shift in the area’s political landscape.
The Conservative Party also made significant gains among Indian-origin candidates. Tim Uppal (Edmonton Mill Woods) was re-elected, while 25-year-old Sukhman Singh Gill captured Abbotsford–South Langley, likely becoming the youngest MP in the new Parliament. Other successful Conservative candidates included Jasraj Singh Hallan, Amanpreet Gill, Dalwinder Gill, and Arpan Khanna, who each won key ridings in Alberta and Ontario.
Brampton’s five ridings delivered a mix of results. While Ruby Sahota and Maninder Sidhu retained their seats for the Liberals, the Conservatives ousted several high-profile Liberals. Amarjeet Gill defeated Health Minister Kamal Khera in Brampton West, and Sonia Sidhu was unseated in Brampton South.
In Quebec, Anju Dhillon continued her winning streak, reaffirming her role as the first South Asian woman elected from the province. In Calgary Heritage, Conservative MP Shuvaloy Majumdar—of Bengali heritage—also held onto his seat after a competitive race.
This record-setting representation of Indian-origin MPs underscores the increasing visibility and political engagement of the South Asian community. But the evening also marked a symbolic end of an era for Jagmeet Singh, whose personal loss and party’s decline signaled a dramatic shift in Canada’s political dynamics.
