Who is Navjit Kaur Brar? Brampton's First Turban-Wearing Sikh Woman Councillor

Indo-Canadian healthcare worker Navjit Kaur Brar has become the first turban-wearing Sikh woman to be elected as Brampton City Councillor in the recent Municipal council polls.

The mother of three beat Jermaine Chambers, a former Conservative MP candidate for Brampton West, as she secured 28.85% of the votes cast.

Who is Navjit Kaur Brar?

Born and brought up in Brampton, Brar is a respiratory therapist and has very little political experience. She was a front-line healthcare worker during the pandemic and has stepped up for public service from time to time.

The respiratory therapist and city councillor earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. Brar went on to Canadore College in North Day, Ontario to get a Respiratory Therapy diploma.

She entered the medical field in 2011 when she accepted a position as a respiratory therapist.

As part of her campaign, she knocked on over 40,000 doors and spoke to over 22,500 residents in the last two months.

"Over the past 3 years, I've spoken to countless Bramptonians and the sentiment I hear is that they are all hurting, they feel unheard, they feel left behind. With the rising cost of living It's getting harder to raise and provide for your family in Brampton... As your city councillor, I will fight for better services for all Bramptonians and ensure that your voices are heard," Brar had said in her campaign pitch.

Brar added: “I think a lot of people can relate to me. I’m just a respiratory therapist. I’ve actually worked with a lot of people. I’m a mom of three and a lot of people in Brampton are families.” She claimed to focus on three areas -- building new infrastructure, reducing crime, and improving road safety.

Brar said she planned to work hard to represent all demographics in her ward. “I’m excited. I’m so proud of all Bramptonians who have voted, making sure our voices are being heard more than ever before,” she said before the announcement.

Brar previously ran as the Ontario NDP candidate in Brampton West, losing out to incumbent Progressive Conservative MPP Amarjot Sandhu.

“I am so proud of @Navjitkaurbrar. She was a selfless and dedicated front-line healthcare worker during the pandemic. She has stepped up for public service and I am confident she will be a phenomenal addition to Brampton City Council,” Brampton mayor Patrick Brown, who won a second term in the recent election, tweeted.

Suggested Reading: Indian-Origin Woman Navjit Kaur Brar Elected As Canadian City Brampton’s Councillor