With close to two dozen out of the thirty Indian origin candidates, from the three main contesting parties, Sikhs are making their presence felt like never before in this third general election in last five years in Canada। The Liberals were the first to recognize the poll potential of the Sikhs, the Conservatives are catching up and the New Democrats have fielded the maximum number of
candidates. Gurbaksh Singh Malhi, th
e first turbaned MP would be running for the sixth time from Bramalea-Gore-Malton and in case if he wins and his party comes to power, is likely to be a senior minister in the government. Two-time MP Navdep Bains from Brampton-Springdale also likely to get a berth in government as his victory is certain in this densely Punjabi populated constituency. Ditto is the case for Ruby Dhalia in Mississauga-Brampton South just outside Toronto. In the South Asian dominated areas, where Sikhs are not in a position to win, they are supporting candidates en bloc thereby expanding their political bargaining position. In Brampton West, Sikhs are supporting Liberal party nominee Andrew Kania.
In 2006, there were ten Members of Parliament of Indian origin and Punjabi is the fourth most common language in the country, with primacy in the state of British Columbia.
In 1974, Bhai Sahib Kapur Singh in a speech to the All Canada Sikh Federation had said that the mosaic-pattern of Canadian society suited the Sikhs the most. The Sikh Canadians have never looked back since. The political climate of Canada has stifled the Sikhs in some ways, but on a larger canvas it has given them the full freedom to practice and preach their religion, hold their political and propagate their political perceptions and beliefs -howsoever inconvenient that may have been to the Indian government. Recognition of their historical contribution by setting up heritage sites, seeking pardon for past wrongs and despite local opinion against them, successive governments have opened more immigration possibilities and rendered maximum respect to the faith requirements of the community have all emboldened the Sikh Canadians to participate in a big way in all Canadian elections, including the present one.
The faith of the Sikhs –from atheists to diehard religious individuals in the Canadian system is the key for such massive participation in Canadian elections. Cutting across party lines, Sikh politicians have scored well with the Canadian population.
As this election is the third in five years, there is a general indifference among all Canadians. However, the participation of Punjabis is overwhelming, prompting the national media of the country to take notice and the Punjabis are adding their rich colours to the beautiful Canadian autumn.
While continuing their issue-based party political plank, the Sikh candidates in Canada are on the threshold of carrying out what Joyce Pettigrew termed as the 'paltibazi' of the Sikh polity. With the plane-load of politicians who are going to spend their autumn in Canada, helping their candidates, the focus is likely to shift from issues to personal contacts and relationships.
The vociferous Punjab ishtyle campaigning is likely to take roots in Canada this time around and whether that is good for the Sikh Canadians or not only time will tell. Already, some Badal Dal politicians have started to deny the
ir intervention in the elections there, particularly where one Sikh candidate is pitted against another.
The Resident Punjabis wooing the Non- Resident Punjabis is perhaps out of a sense of gratitude for the non-resident Punjabi money that pours in here during the elections in Punjab. The NRPs have made Punjab elections go out of the reach of those who adhere to principles and commitments. It is only a money game. Comparatively, less money is spent in Canada elections. Well, only time will tell.
Just as Canada has to be French-friendly to keep Quebec and the Quebecois happy and to be politically correct, in British Columbia , Punjabi language is so far a significant issue, what with board signs, stickers in Punjabi and the use of Punjabi election literature.
In a broader perspective, South Asians are candidates for all political parties, though the Greens have not attracted any Sikh candidates, or shall we say it is the other way round as the issues, concerns and adherent-type politics of the Greens unfortunately do not interest them.
Some local campaigners are worried that Asian candidates could sway these snap elections and have derided all the parties for 'ethnic pandering.' While the average Canadian citizen adopting a couldn't-care-less approach and the ethnic communities go big, the nature and scale of multiculturalism in Canada is on test. It seems that Prime Minister Stephen Harper knows this and his election campaign are tailored accordingly.
The influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe and erstwhile Russia has also added to the ethnic pre-dominance in this general election.
An ethnic Jewish leader, Mr. Faber commenting upon the Canadian election has said, "Jewish people are like anybody else, maybe a little more so political animals, and they will be moved based on how their issues are being dealt with." With Punjabi likely to be recognized as an official Canadian language, whichever party wins and substantially increasing their presence in Parliament, Sikh Canadians will be nearer to the Jewish political animals.
he number of Indian Canadians in the house went up from seven to eight।The ruling Conservative Party, which held 126 seats in the dissolved House of Commons, won 142 seats, 13 short of the majority mark.
