Sikh Political Involvement Spans Liberal and Conservative Parties

May 25, 2004

Source: Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040525/ELECSIKH25/TPNational/Canada

On May 25, 2004 the Globe and Mail reported, "The growing influence of the Sikh community on Canadian politics has been deliciously evident at nomination meetings and candidates' events from Mississauga to Hamilton. Where once the backroom tables held pizza and pop for volunteers, this year they have been spread with boxes of samosas, chafing dishes of curried vegetables, and plates of basmati rice. Turbans and flowing silk tunics have become ubiquitous at political gatherings west of Toronto -- and to some extent in the ridings just east of the city. And every election sees more candidates with traditionally Sikh names, especially in Ontario and British Columbia. Sikh Liberals say members of their community are playing a major role in at least 15 federal campaigns in the hotly contested 905 area of suburban Ontario surrounding Toronto...While the Liberals have traditionally been the party the Sikhs embraced, they are looking with increasing interest at others. A recent poll suggests that more Canadian-born children of immigrants support the Conservatives than they do the party of Prime Minister Paul Martin. The Conservatives held a meeting in Brampton late last week that they called a bridge-building rally."