The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: Two Indo-Canadians were appointed as full Cabinet-rank ministers and the thirs got elevation in ministerial reshuffle in Ontario on Friday.
Moga-born Parm Gill, 47, has been appointed as Ontario’s new Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
Prabmeet Sakaria, who became the first turban-wearing minister in Ontario when he was appointed Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction in 2019, becomes a full Cabinet rank as President of the Treasury Board.
“It is an honour to be sworn in as Ontario’s President of the Treasury Board. I am dedicated to working hard with Premier Ford and my colleagues to support Ontarians,” said Sarkaria after his elevation.
Nina Tangri, whose family comes from Bilga near Jalandhar, has been made Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction.
Till now, she was serving as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
“Excited to be sworn in as the Associate Minister of Small Business & Red Tape Reduction. Thank you to Premier,” Nina said.
But it is the appointment of Parm Gill as Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism that has surprised many people in the Indo-Canadian community.
Gill himself seemed to surprised when he said, “Who would have thought a young boy who immigrated from India to Canada at a young age, raised by a single mother, would today be sworn in as Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism for the Province of Ontario.”
The Milton MPP has previously served as an MP in the House of Commons.
With Ontario elections exactly one year away, Premier Doug Ford has elevated three Indo-Canadians in his Cabinet with an eye on Indo-Canadian votes in the so-called 905 region around Toronto, including Brampton and Mississauga.
The 905 region – named after the area code – has the biggest concentration of the Indo-Canadian community in Canada.
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