Indian Origin Members in Canadian Cabinet; Sikh Businessman Shot Dead

Mark Carney’s Liberal Party took oath in Canada on 14 May. Among those sworn in is Anita Anand, the first Hindu woman to be sworn in as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Anand has donned many hats since she joined politics in 2019, including Minister of National Defence and Minister of Transport. Anand was born to Indian parents in 1967 in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Her father was from Tamil Nadu, and her mother from Panjab (Jandiala Guru, Amritsar). Anand’s appointment is critical at a time when Canada’s relations with India are strained. Among others from Panjab are Maninder Singh Sidhu as Minister of International Trade. Sidhu's appointment comes at a time when Canada is battling US’ aggression towards Canada on tariffs. Ruby Kaur Sahota as Secretary of State for Combatting Crime. Sahota, a lawyer, is expected to play a key role in developing modern criminal justice strategies and public safety reforms. Randeep Singh Sarai as Secretary of State for International Development. Sarai, an entrepreneur, will focus on humanitarian outreach, global partnerships, and aid diplomacy. In other news, according to a statement from Peel Regional Police (PRP), on 8 May, the department’s Special Victims Unit took 78-year-old Harmohinder Singh into custody. Investigators allege that Singh approached an under 12-year-old girl and sexually assaulted her multiple times at a park in Brampton. He was charged with three counts of sexual assault of a female under 17 and three counts of sexual interference. Harmohinder is in custody and is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Also, a Sikh businessman, operating a trucking safety and insurance consultancy, was shot dead on 14 May outside his office in Canada’s Mississauga. The deceased has been identified as Harjeet Singh Dhadda. Dhadda had recently received threatening calls from extortionists and had reported the matter to police. Dhadda was originally from Bazpur, Uttarakhand (earlier coverage).