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Turban-wearing Sikh woman of Indian origin is new councillor of Canadian city Brampton

kem haris 2 years ago 2 min read

Navjit Kaur Brar, an Indo-Canadian fitness care employee has come to be the primary turban-sporting Sikh female to be elected as a metropolis councillor of Brampton metropolis in Canada.

Brar, a respiration therapist, changed into on Monday elected the Brampton metropolis Councillor withinside the current municipal council polls after she received the race in Wards 2 and 6.

The mom of 3 beat Jermaine Chambers, a former Conservative MP candidate for Brampton West, as she secured 28.eighty five in keeping with cent of the votes forged.

Chambers, the closest contender acquired 22.fifty nine in keeping with cent and Carmen Wilson got here in 0.33 at 15.forty one in keeping with cent, the Brampton Guardian reported.

As a part of her campaign, she knocked on over forty,000 doorways and spoke to over 22,500 citizens withinside the closing months.

“I am so happy with @Navjitkaurbrar. She changed into a selfless and devoted front-line fitness care employee all through the pandemic. She has stepped up for public provider and I am assured she may be an outstanding addition to Brampton City Council,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who received a 2d time period withinside the current election, tweeted.

Brar, who formerly ran because the Ontario NDP candidate in Brampton West, had misplaced to the contemporary Progressive Conservative MPP Amarjot Sandhu.

Another Sikh candidate, Gurpartap Singh Toor, knocked off his opponent Gurpreet Dhillon in Wards nine and 10 with the aid of using a scant 227 votes.

The file stated as many as forty Punjabis had been withinside the fray for Brampton civic elections and most effective 87,a hundred and fifty five of the 3,54,884 eligible citizens became as much as forged ballots — an abysmal voter turnout of about 24.fifty six in keeping with cent.

The Indo-Canadian community, at the side of the councillor candidates, had raised worries over the election date overlapping with Diwali — one of the most-awaited gala’s celebrated with the aid of using the massive swathe of Indian diaspora in Canada.

“It may be very elaborate that the elections are taking vicinity on Diwali day, particularly the municipal election that has constantly visible a low voter turnout,” stated Gurpratap Singh Toor.

Elections for municipal authorities are held each 4 years at the fourth Monday of October, which fell on October 24 this time.

Brar targeted on 3 areas — constructing new infrastructure, decreasing crime and enhancing street safety.

Brar stated she deliberate to paintings tough to symbolize all demographics in her ward. “I’m excited. I’m so happy with all Bramptonians who’ve voted, ensuring our voices are being heard extra than ever earlier than,” she stated earlier than the announcement.