TRONTO: Liberal Gurbax Malhi has become the first Sikh to be elected to Parliament fulfilling a “dream come true” with his stunning victory in the riding of Bramlea-Gore-Malton,
Malhi 48, said his win was not only a victory for Sikhs but a victory for the grassroots people of his ethnically mixed riding that takes in part of Brampton and part of Mississauga.
“I’m proud to be a Sikh, but I’m a Canadian first,” Malhi said. “I’m from the grassroots, I know their problems. 1 will work hard to accomplish something for all com munities, not just for the Sikh community.”
Mathi defeated Progressive Conservative incumbent Harry Chadwick, who has been in politics since he was elected to Brampton city council in 1979.
Throughout the evening Malhi’s Sikh supporters cheered every new poll result and screamed with ecstasy, lifting the smiling candidate atop their shoulders.
Malhi, a Realtor, said he person ally knocked on more than 16,000 doors and believed his one on one campaigning paved the way for his solid victory.
“I felt their feelings because their feelings were also my feelings,” Maihi said. So many people were warned about where they were going to get their bread and butter ~ they have no jobs that was their main concern. 1 worked 1720 hour days. I dreamed of this for a long time and my dream has become a reality, but this is a dream, for all Canadians who understand the values of the grassroots.”
Article extracted from this publication >> October 29, 1993
