Niki Sharma named BC’s Deputy Premier, three Indo-Canadians join Cabinet

The Cabinet includes Ravi Parmar, liable for Forests; Jagrup Brar, overseeing Mining and Critical Minerals; and Ravi Kahlon, assigned to Housing and Municipal Affairs. Additionally, Raj Chauhan is expected to proceed arsenic Speaker of the provincial legislature.

Premier Eby besides named 3 Indo-Canadians arsenic Parliamentary Secretaries. Jessie Sunner, a first-time MLA, volition absorption connected Anti-Racism Initiatives, portion Sunita Dhir volition grip International Credentials, and Harwinder Sandhu volition enactment successful Agriculture.

Sharma, a long-time nationalist servant, antecedently served arsenic BC’s Attorney General. In that role, she introduced an Anti-Racism Act, expanded household instrumentality ineligible aid, and worked to amended online safety. Before entering politics, she practiced law, advocating for Indigenous communities, including residential schoolhouse survivors. Sharma besides served arsenic Vice-Chair of the Vancity Credit Union Board and arsenic Chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.

A nonmigratory of East Vancouver for implicit 15 years, Sharma is profoundly connected to her assemblage and is simply a parent of two. Her begetter Pal, who ran a tiny concern successful Sparwood, was an migrant from India.

A grounds fig of 14 Indo-Canadians were elected to the BC Legislative Assembly successful the October 19 election. In a statement, Eby highlighted the diverseness of the caller Cabinet, noting that it includes much women than men.