Brampton has long been a Liberal stronghold in federal politics, but this week’s election revealed growing cracks in the party’s once-solid grip on the city. For the first time in a decade, the Conservatives have claimed a seat in Brampton — a symbolic breakthrough that signals shifting political winds in Canada’s ninth-largest city.
The Liberals held onto five of Brampton’s six ridings, maintaining their dominance since sweeping all available seats in the 2015, 2019, and 2021 elections. But Monday’s result was different. One of the city’s most competitive battlegrounds, Brampton West, flipped blue as Conservative candidate Amarjeet Gill edged out Liberal incumbent and former federal health minister Kamal Khera by just under 900 votes. Gill secured 49.8 per cent of the vote, compared to Khera’s 47.7 per cent, marking a pivotal win for the Tories in Peel Region.
Across the rest of Brampton, the Liberals clung to their seats—but just barely. In Brampton Centre, newcomer Amandeep Sodhi squeaked to victory in a race that was undecided until the following day. Sodhi received 18,940 votes (48 per cent), narrowly defeating Conservative challenger Taran Chahal, who garnered 18,600 votes (47.3 per cent). The riding was one of the tightest contests in the country and marked Sodhi’s first entry into Parliament.
In Brampton North–Caledon, incumbent Ruby Sahota secured a fourth term, but only by a slim 650-vote margin. Sahota earned 48.9 per cent of the vote, beating Conservative candidate Amandeep Judge, who finished at 47.5 per cent. The riding had been redrawn in 2023 to include parts of South Caledon, increasing its competitiveness.
In the newly created Brampton–Chinguacousy Park riding, Liberal candidate Shafqat Ali, who previously represented Brampton Centre, was returned to Parliament with 48.8 per cent of the vote. He defeated CPC challenger Tim Iqbal, who trailed with 44.5 per cent. While the margin was more comfortable than in other Brampton contests, the race still showed considerable Conservative growth.
Maninder Sidhu held his seat in Brampton East, winning a third term with 48.6 per cent of the vote. His Conservative opponent Bob Dosanjh Singh made a strong showing with 44.7 per cent, a sign that the Tories are continuing to close the gap in traditionally Liberal territory.
In Brampton South, incumbent Sonia Sidhu was re-elected for a fourth term, but the race was closer than ever. She beat Conservative challenger Sukhdeep Kang by just 807 votes, finishing with 49.3 per cent of the vote to Kang’s 47.5 per cent.
Despite the tighter margins, Brampton’s support helped deliver a strong result for the Liberal Party nationally. With 169 seats, Prime Minister Mark Carney will lead a solid minority government—just three seats short of a majority. Notably, the Liberals also won the popular vote, something they failed to do in the previous two elections.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s party secured 144 seats and will form the official opposition. However, his own loss in Ottawa Carleton has cast a shadow over his future as leader.
The New Democratic Party suffered major setbacks, winning only seven seats and losing official party status. That prompted leader Jagmeet Singh—who once served as a Brampton MPP—to announce his intention to step down. The Bloc Québécois claimed 22 seats, and the Green Party picked up one.
While the Liberals still dominate Brampton, this election marks a new phase in the city’s political evolution. The Conservative breakthrough—and the narrow margins elsewhere—suggest the next federal contest in Brampton could be far more competitive than the last three.