Gujarati-origin candidates make debut in 2025 Canada election for parliamentary seats

In the upcoming 2025 federal election in Canada, four Gujarati-origin candidates are contesting parliamentary seats for the very first time. These individuals – Jayesh Brahmbhatt, Sunjiv Raval, Ashok Patel, and Minesh Patel – are stepping into Canadian politics with the hope of representing the Indian and especially Gujarati community at the national level. The election is set to take place on April 28, and all four candidates are mostly first-generation immigrants who have built successful lives in Canada before joining politics.

Who are the candidates?

Jayesh Brahmbhatt, originally from Gujarat, moved to Canada in 2001. A civil engineer by profession, he later became a real estate developer. Now, he is contesting the federal election as a candidate of the People's Party of Canada. Brahmbhatt believes in the party's core values – freedom, fairness, respect, and responsibility. According to him, these values match with what he personally believes in, and that’s why he chose to run for office.

Brahmbhatt said that people in his community are looking for change. He talks to many people and feels that there is a growing interest in being heard and represented. He added that political parties have started to realise the importance of the Indian community in Canada and that Gujaratis, being a large sub-group, are now stepping forward to get involved in politics. “It’s not just about ideology anymore. It’s about having a voice and playing an active role in decision-making,” he said.

Sunjiv Raval, another new candidate, has a slightly different background. He was born in Tanzania and has been living in Calgary, Alberta for over 20 years. He owns a chain of stores and has long been associated with Indian community groups in the area. Raval is running on a Liberal Party ticket from the Calgary Midnapore constituency.

Raval is focusing his campaign on key issues that matter to the middle class. These include better infrastructure, improved sports facilities, affordable housing, and more job opportunities. He said, “We need to make sure that Canada continues to welcome immigrants, but there also needs to be a balance. We are trying to fix things with practical policies. We have a voice now, and we want it to be heard.”

Ashok Patel and Minesh Patel, both running as independents, are new names in the political arena. Ashok is contesting from Edmonton Sherwood, while Minesh is running in Calgary Skyview. These two candidates are not linked to any major political party. They are businesspeople who have been active in community development for many years and now wish to shape policy at a higher level.

Both Ashok and Minesh believe that their life experiences – from being immigrants to running successful businesses – give them a unique understanding of what the community needs. They hope that being independent candidates will allow them to focus more on the people’s issues and less on party politics.

A growing community in politics

Don Patel, a successful real estate professional from Anand, Gujarat, had briefly entered the election race as a Conservative Party candidate for Etobicoke North. However, he was dropped from the party’s list earlier this week for reasons not made public. While he is not contesting anymore, his presence still showed the rising interest of Gujaratis in Canadian politics.

According to Hemant Shah, the director of international trade at the Ottawa-based Overseas Friends of India Canada (OFIC), this rise in Gujarati candidates was expected. Shah, who has been living in Canada for more than 40 years, says that over 1 lakh Gujaratis now live in the country. The community is spread across all major Canadian cities, with large numbers in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Shah explained that many Gujaratis came to Canada as immigrants, while others arrived as international students and later became permanent residents or citizens. He believes that this election marks a turning point in the political presence of the community. “I’ve never seen this many Gujarati-origin candidates contesting in one election. Even if they don’t win, it’s a major step forward. It means our voices are starting to matter,” he said.

In fact, after Punjabis, Gujaratis now form the second-largest Indian community in Canada. While the Punjabi community already has a strong political presence, the Gujaratis are now catching up. Their increasing participation in elections shows a desire for greater involvement in public life and policymaking.

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While these four Gujarati-origin candidates are new, the Indian community in Canada already has several established political figures, most of whom are of Punjabi descent. Cities like Brampton, Mississauga, Surrey, and Vancouver have elected several Indian-origin MPs in the past.

Notable Indian-origin politicians include Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), who is also the first Sikh to head a federal party in Canada. Then there is Anita Anand, who serves as the minister of innovation, science, and industry. Kamal Khera, another prominent name, is Canada’s current minister of health.

Other well-known Indian-origin politicians include Sukh Dhaliwal, a Liberal MP from Surrey-Newton, who earlier served as the MP from Newton-North Delta from 2006 to 2011. Bardish Chagger, who previously held the position of minister of diversity and inclusion, is once again contesting from Waterloo.

These established politicians have paved the way for others in the community to follow. The four new Gujarati-origin candidates are now hoping to join their ranks and represent not just their communities, but all Canadians. While they are aware that it will be a challenge to win as first-time candidates, they are hopeful that their efforts will inspire future generations to step into politics.

A broader shift

Experts and observers say this increased involvement of Gujaratis in Canadian politics reflects a broader trend. As immigrant communities settle and grow economically, they begin to seek political representation as well. Participation in the democratic process becomes the next natural step for many.

For the Indian diaspora, especially Gujaratis, political involvement is not only about getting elected. It’s also about being visible, being heard, and ensuring that their communities’ issues are taken seriously by all parties. Whether it’s infrastructure, education, housing, jobs, or immigration reform, these candidates believe that their community deserves a seat at the table where such decisions are made.

For now, all eyes are on the April 28 election. The results will decide not only the next government of Canada but also whether these new Gujarati candidates manage to make history. Even if they don’t win, their candidacy sends a strong message — that the Indian community in Canada is growing in confidence, unity, and political awareness.

The participation of Brahmbhatt, Raval, Ashok, and Minesh shows that immigrant communities are no longer just settling for economic success. They want to lead, serve, and be part of shaping Canada’s future. Whether they win or lose, they have already taken the first big step.