3 Punjabis in BC Govt, 2 as Ministers, 1 as Parliamentary Secretary

Published : Jul 19, 2017, 1:23 pm IST
Updated : Jul 20, 2017, 6:43 am IST

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Chandigarh: Canadian Punjabi community has got another opportunity to celebrate as British Columbia’s new Premier John Joseph Horgan, who represents the New Democratic Party(NDP), has inducted two Punjabi Ministers- Harry Bains and Jinny Sims- in his cabinet formed this morning.

Ravi Kahlon has been taken as Parliamentary Secretary. Already, there are four Punjabi Ministers in the Canadian Federal Government besides Chief Parliament Secretaries.

Harry Bains, who was elected with a big margin from Surrey Newton constituency having dominating presence of Punjabis, has been given important Labour portfolio. Bains has been working for the rights of workers for long and is popular with working class in the British Columbia for his excellent record as a protector of the rights workers.

Jinny Sims, who was elected from Surrey Panorama riding, has been given portfolio of Minister for Citizen’s Rights. Sims, who had first immigrated to England from Punjab, shifted to Canada in 1975 and joined politics thereafter. She was earlier elected to Canada’s House of Commons defeating Sukh Dhaliwal, another eminent Punjabi politician in Canada.

Ravi Kahlon, another Punjabi, who has represented Canada in field Hockey in international competitions, has been made Parliament Secretary. He has been given Sports and Multiculturalism. He was elected on the NDP ticket from Delta North first time.

The Liberal party Government led by Christy Clark had failed to win the confidence of the BC Assembly on June 29 this year. Following this NDP, which is supported by the Green Party, was asked to form the Government. John Horgan’s NDP has formed the Government with the support of the Green Party. Both have support of 44 members.

It was expected that Jagroop Singh Brar would also be taken as Minister. A former international Basketball player, Jagroop Singh Brar belongs to Deon village of Bathinda district. He has been elected 4th time to BC Legislative Assembly. This time he was elected from Surrey Fleetwood riding.