Niki Sharma, an Indo-Canadian politician of Hindu heritage, has been appointed the new Deputy Premier of British Columbia (BC), marking a historic milestone as the first Indo-Canadian to hold the position. The announcement was made by BC Premier David Eby on Monday as part of a broader reshuffle of the provincial Cabinet. Sharma will also retain her position as the Attorney-General of the province, a role she held in the previous government.
Sharma’s promotion to Deputy Premier is a significant step in her political career, as she continues to be a trailblazer for the Indo-Canadian community in British Columbia. In addition to her leadership role as Deputy Premier, she will continue to oversee the Attorney-General portfolio, maintaining her influence over legal and constitutional matters in the province.
Alongside Sharma, three other Indo-Canadian politicians have been appointed to key positions in the provincial Cabinet. Ravi Parmar, an MLA from the community, will be responsible for Forests; Jagrup Brar will manage Mining and Critical Minerals; and Ravi Kahlon, a former Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, has been appointed Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. Additionally, Raj Chauhan, another prominent Indo-Canadian politician, is expected to return as Speaker of the provincial legislature.
Premier Eby highlighted the diversity of the new Cabinet, stating that it “reflects the strengths and diversity of British Columbia,” with a notable increase in the number of women appointed to Cabinet positions. The new team, consisting of 23 Ministers, four Ministers of State, and 14 Parliamentary Secretaries, will focus on addressing the province’s most pressing issues, as emphasized by Eby during the announcement.
Sharma’s appointment to Deputy Premier is a historic moment, especially considering that BC has previously had an Indo-Canadian Premier, Ujjal Dosanjh, who served from 2000 to 2001. Sharma’s rise to the position of Deputy Premier underscores the growing influence of Indo-Canadians in the province’s political landscape.
In addition to the new Cabinet appointments, the announcement also includes the appointment of three more Indo-Canadian MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries. Jessie Sunner will focus on Anti-Racism Initiatives, Harwinder Sandhu will handle Agriculture, and Sunita Dhir will oversee International Credentials.
The appointments come after a successful election on October 19, where 14 Indo-Canadians were elected to the BC Legislative Assembly, further highlighting the community’s growing political influence in the province.
Sharma’s ascent to Deputy Premier is not just a personal achievement but also a landmark moment for the Indo-Canadian community, reflecting the increasing representation and leadership of individuals from diverse backgrounds in British Columbia’s political sphere.
Sources By Agencies
