[Canadians of East Indian origins have broken into politics in a striking way over the past ten years. This article suggests a pattern of political engagement very different from the presumed need of political newcomers to “work their way up” the political ladder. IB]

Diversity at the grassroots
Brampton council “doesn’t reflect the demographics”
Punjabi-Canadians prefer to run for federal office
Aug. 17, 2006. 01:00 AM
SAN GREWAL
STAFF REPORTER, TORONTO STAR

Punjabi-Canadians have dominated federal ridings in Brampton for almost a
decade. Three of four are currently held by members of that community.

So why don’t they seem to care about local politics?

About a quarter of Brampton’s 400,000 residents are South Asian and the vast
majority of those are Punjabi. Many schools in areas such as Springdale -
nicknamed Singhdale - are dominated by Punjabi students; signs on stores
throughout the city are written in Punjabi.

But a Punjabi-Canadian represents not one of the 10 city council wards, the
10 regional council wards or the mayor’s office.

“It didn’t cross my mind, running for municipal office,” says Navdeep Bains,
Liberal MP for Mississauga-Brampton South, who was elected to a second
federal term last winter. “I wanted to represent local issues, but I also
wanted to represent Canada on an international level.”

The notion of grassroots political participation as a springboard to higher
levels of government isn’t part of the Punjabi political culture. Bains
admits the community hasn’t been able to get the same type of representation
locally as it has on the federal level.

Read rest of article in Toronto Star