Gujaratis join the race as Punjabi power holds ground in Canada’s election

As Canada prepares for its 45th federal election on April 28, a subtle political shift is emerging within the country’s Indian diaspora. While Punjabi-Canadians continue to maintain their longstanding influence in national politics, a small but notable group of Gujarati-origin candidates is stepping into the electoral spotlight for the first time.

From Brampton in Ontario to Calgary in Alberta, four Gujarati-origin candidates—most of them first-generation immigrants—are contesting parliamentary seats. Though they remain few in number compared to their Punjabi counterparts, their participation signals an expanding scope of South Asian political representation in Canada. These candidates, with backgrounds rooted in business and community leadership, are seeking to turn their local influence into national presence.

Jayesh Brahmbhatt, a former civil engineer turned real estate developer, is among those contesting the election. He arrived in Canada from Gujarat in 2001 and is now standing from Brampton Chinguacousy on a People's Party of Canada ticket. “We stand for freedom, responsibility, fairness and respect for all, and somewhere it resonates with me,” Brahmbhatt told TOI's Parth Shastri & Neel Kamal. “I speak to a lot of people, and they seek change from this election.”

Brahmbhatt notes that political parties are increasingly recognising the value of Indian sub-communities. “Parties are now identifying Indians as an important community in politics, and sub-groups such as Gujaratis are making the most of this opportunity to be represented and be heard,” he said.

Joining him on the ballot is Sunjiv Raval, a Liberal Party candidate from Calgary Midnapore. Raval, born in Tanzania, has lived in Calgary for more than two decades and owns a successful retail chain. “We are fighting on issues faced by the middle class, who have been demanding better infrastructure and sports facilities, affordable housing and work opportunities for all,” Raval said. “The country needs immigrants, but there must be a balance. We hope to restore it with the right policies. We have a voice now.”

Other candidates of Gujarati origin include Ashok Patel and Minesh Patel, who are contesting as independents from Edmonton Sherwood and Calgary Skyview respectively. Don Patel, another Gujarati-origin realtor, was earlier nominated by the Conservative Party for Etobicoke North but was dropped before the final list.

What links these candidates is not political experience, but a shared journey from business and community building to public service. According to Hemant Shah, Director of International Trade at the Overseas Friends of India Canada (OFIC), this marks a significant moment. “Canada is home to more than 1 lakh Gujaratis,” Shah said. “The community is present in almost all major cities, but more so in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver. Many came to the country as immigrants whereas many more arrived as students and settled here. I have been in Canada for over four decades now, and in this election, we are perhaps witnessing the highest number of candidates of Gujarati origin. Irrespective of their win, it is a significant step in ensuring representation of the community, which is the second largest after Punjabis.”

The presence of Gujarati-origin candidates is not replacing the established Punjabi political base but adding to it. Senior Punjabi-Canadian politicians, many of whom are incumbents, continue to dominate ridings in Brampton, Mississauga, Surrey and Vancouver.

Among them is Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party and the first Sikh to head a federal political party in Canada. Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Kamal Khera, Minister of Health, are also seeking re-election. Anand remains one of the few ministers from the previous Trudeau cabinet to retain her portfolio under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership. Khera is contesting again from Brampton West.

Sukh Dhaliwal, a Liberal MP from Surrey-Newton, and Bardish Chagger, a candidate in Waterloo and former Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, are also prominent names in the race. These seasoned leaders are defending their political records, while newcomers are attempting to establish their voice.

Despite the contrast in experience, candidates from both communities are aligned on key issues: affordability, job creation and immigration reform. The emergence of Gujarati-origin candidates represents a growing pluralism within Canada’s Indian diaspora politics, potentially mirroring the trajectory of Indian Americans in the United States, where Gujarati-origin figures like Raj Shah and Kash Patel have played significant roles.

This election may not shift the balance of power overnight, but it is expanding the narrative of Indian-origin political engagement in Canada.