Four Indo-Canadians, including a Sikh student of law, have emerged victorious in provincial elections in Alberta and pledged to promote relations between the two countries.
TORONTO: Four Indo-Canadians, including a Sikh student of law, have emerged victorious in provincial elections in Alberta and pledged to promote relations between the two countries.
There were tremendous opportunities for business in the fields of oil and gas between Alberta and India, the newly elected Indo-Canadian legislators said in their victory speech.
The four, including University of Windsor law student Manmeet Bhullar, said they were committed to promoting ties between India and Alberta.
Other Indo-Canadians who won the elections were Naresh Bhardwaj, Peter Sandhu and Raj Sherman. All four belong to ruling Progressive Conservative Party.
Bhullar (27) has been an adviser to federal Cabinet Minister Jim Prentice and the Prime Minister's Office on issues affecting Alberta and the territories.
His emotional victory speech included a thank you to his parents who moved to Canada in 1970 "for instilling me with this desire to serve."
Bhullar turned back a strong bid by independent candidate Ron Leech, winning by a little over 600 votes. He garnered 2,634 votes in last week's poll which saw Conservatives, under Premier Ed Stelmach, win their 11th consecutive election.
"The University of Windsor has a phenomenal law school," Bhullar, a second-year student, said, adding he would be transferring to the faculty of law at the University of Alberta in view of his election. "It produces socially conscious leaders," he added.
The party leadership installed Bhullar, 27, as the candidate after over-ruling the riding officials who had selected Leech, 61, following resignation of veteran Conservative member of the legislature Hung Pham.
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