First Turbaned Member of Parliament in Western World
Gurbax Singh Malhi, left, is the first turbaned Member of Parliament in the western world. Initially elected to the Canadian House of Commons, 1993, Mr. Malhi was re-elected in the 1997 general election, serving constituents in the Ontario riding of Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale. Born in India, Gurbax Malhi received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Punjab University where he specialized in Political Science, English, and History. Upon immigrating to Canada, Mr. Malhi became a real estate broker and established himself as an active member of the Toronto Real Estate Board in addition to the Canadian Real Estate Association. Prior to the 1993 election, Mr. Malhi served as the Founding Director, Canadian Sikh Cultural and Sports Centre, and was an energetic volunteer member of the Peel Police Ethnic Race Relations Committee as well as a hardworking President of the Bramalea-Gore-Malton Federal Liberal Association. In Ottawa, today, Gurbax Malhi is Chairman, House of Commons Standing Committee for the Library of Parliament and is also a member of several parliamentary associations. In the past, Mr. Malhi served on the powerful Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee. Married to Devinder and proud father of son, Gurinder, and daughter, Harinder, Mr. Malhi, in this House of Commons setting, greets Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Hon. Herb Dhaliwal, who, like his caucus colleague, was born in the Punjab. [Photo, courtesy Gurbax Singh Malhi]