London, Dec 10: Five Indo-Canadians with roots in Punjab have been sworn in as ministers in a recent cabinet reshuffle by British Columbia (BC) Premier David Eby. Harry Bains, Nikki Sharma, Jagrup Brar, Rachna Singh and Ravi Kahlon recently took oath at the Government House in BC capital Victoria. Bathinda-born Brar was inducted as Minister of State in the New Democratic Party (NDP) government of British Columbia in Canada on Wednesday. He was first elected as an MLA in Surrey in 2004, and served until 2013. He was elected again as the MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood in 2017 and 2020.”I am honoured to be appointed as the Minister of State for Trade. Thank you to Premier @Dave_Eby in putting your trust in me and my cabinet colleagues. I’m excited to get to work for the people of British Columbia!” Brar tweeted after his appointment. In India, Brar was a member of the national basketball team and earned a master’s degree in Philosophy. He then moved to Canada to study Public Administration.A three-time MLA from Surrey Green Timber, Rachna Singh became the first South Asian woman to be named Education and Childcare Minister of British Columbia. She is the second Punjabi after Moe Sihota to handle the portfolio. Rachna moved from India to Canada in 2001 and has worked as a drug and alcohol counsellor, a support worker for women facing domestic violence, and a community activist.5 Indo-Canadians inducted in British Columbia govt
London, Dec 10: Five Indo-Canadians with roots in Punjab have been sworn in as ministers in a recent cabinet reshuffle by British Columbia (BC) Premier David Eby. Harry Bains, Nikki Sharma, Jagrup Brar, Rachna Singh and Ravi Kahlon recently took oath at the Government House in BC capital Victoria. Bathinda-born Brar was inducted as Minister of State in the New Democratic Party (NDP) government of British Columbia in Canada on Wednesday. He was first elected as an MLA in Surrey in 2004, and served until 2013. He was elected again as the MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood in 2017 and 2020.”I am honoured to be appointed as the Minister of State for Trade. Thank you to Premier @Dave_Eby in putting your trust in me and my cabinet colleagues. I’m excited to get to work for the people of British Columbia!” Brar tweeted after his appointment. In India, Brar was a member of the national basketball team and earned a master’s degree in Philosophy. He then moved to Canada to study Public Administration.A three-time MLA from Surrey Green Timber, Rachna Singh became the first South Asian woman to be named Education and Childcare Minister of British Columbia. She is the second Punjabi after Moe Sihota to handle the portfolio. Rachna moved from India to Canada in 2001 and has worked as a drug and alcohol counsellor, a support worker for women facing domestic violence, and a community activist.