2 Indo-Canadians become federal cabinet ministers
Saturday, May 21, 2011
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/2-Indo-Canadians-become-federal-cabinet-ministers/articleshow/8471182.cms
With Indo-Canadians voting for the ruling Conservative Party in large numbers in this month's parliament elections as expected the ruling Conservative Party has returned the favours to the strong Indian community. 2 Indo-Canadians have been named as federal cabinet ministers.
Newly-elected Bal Gosal, who wrested Bramalea-Gore-Malton from the Liberals after 18 years of continuous representation by Gurbax Malhi, was named minister of state for sport today by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as he unveiled the cabinet to steer his majority government.
Tim Uppal from Sherwood Park, who defeated conservative independent James Ford for the second time and with a wider margin May 2, became the minister of state for democratic reform. In his new position, Uppal will help select senators and introduce fixed term limits -eventually moving toward an elected senate -and will work toward getting more MPs for fast-growing provinces such as Alberta, B.C. and Ontario and protecting the elected representatives for slow-growing areas.
A surprise exclusion from the Cabinet is Deepak Obhrai the senior-most Indo-Canadian MP from Calgary East. As parliamentary secretary to the foreign affairs minister, Obhrai was the high-ranking Indo-Canadian in the last ministry.
It is the first time that there will be two Indo-Canadians faces in the Canadian Cabinet. Former health minister Ujjal Dosanjh was the last Indo-Canadian in the Canadian Cabinet from 2004 to 2006 with the Liberal Party.
A record six Indo-Canadians have been elected to the 308-member parliament on the ruling party ticket, while all five Indian MPs of the opposition Liberal Party have lost this time. 2 Indo-Canadians got elected as MPs from NDP taking the total tally of Indo-Canadian MPs to 8.
