Brampton Politician Gurbax Singh Malhi Awarded Key to the City for Outstanding Achievements

Former Brampton politician Gurbax Singh Malhi has been awarded the key to the city recognizing his service, achievements, and contributions. He was given the key by Mayor Patrick Brown and also did a panel discussion with several Sikh municipal elected officials. Malhi said it was a privilege for him to give back to the country that has given him so much.

The city of Brampton has shared a news release recognizing the “outstanding achievements” of Gurbax Singh Malhi. He was awarded the Key to the City of Brampton for his “outstanding achievements as a trailblazer for the Sikh and South Asian community,” as per the release. This is an honor given to a highly valued member of the community, or a celebrated or dignified guest of the City who has made an impact on the lives of people.

The mayor said in the release, “We are so very lucky to have this advocate in our city and we must celebrate those, like Malhi, who go above and beyond to create supportive, vibrant communities where all can be their best.”

During the ceremony, Malhi also had a panel discussion with several Sikh municipal elected officials including Navjit Kaur Brar, Regional Councillor, Wards 2 and 6, Harkirat Singh, Deputy Mayor; City Councillor, Wards 9 and 10, Gurpartap Singh Toor, Regional Councillor, Wards 9 and 10, Harjinder Niijar, Deputy Mayor, City of Stratford, Raj Sandhu, Deputy Mayor, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, and Nrinder Nann, City Councillor, City of Hamilton.

Malhi was born in a small village in Punjab in 1949. He started actively participating in politics during the 1960s. Then, in 1975, he and his family moved to Canada. In 1993, he was elected as a member of the national Liberal party to represent Bramalea-Gore-Malton and served in that role until 2011. He became the first turban-wearing Sikh elected to the House of Commons.

As per the release, Malhi paved the way for other monitories and turban-wearing individuals in Parliament.

Vineet Washington