Amarjeet Sohi

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In January 2015, Sohi was approached by the federal Liberal Party to run as a Member of Parliament in the newly created riding of Edmonton Mill Woods. He felt the need to bring up his imprisonment before it could be used against him politically, and thus contacted the Edmonton Journal reporter Paula Simons, who agreed to help report the story. [7] He was acclaimed as a candidate the next month, and officially launched his campaign in June 2015 at a large rally with Liberal leader Justin Trudeau in Mill Woods. [27] [28] Sohi's campaign emphasized the importance of federal leadership to address big-city and infrastructure challenges. [29] Sohi was also sharply critical of the Harper government's approach to citizenship, multiculturalism, and immigration policy. [30] [31] [32]

The nomination contest in Edmonton Mill Woods was the subject of a minor controversy prior to Sohi's acclamation. Varinder Bhullar was disqualified following alleged violations of Liberal Party membership rules. [33] [34] Bhullar claimed the party disqualified him after he refused to step aside in favor of Sohi, the party's preferred candidate. [33] [34]

On October 19, 2015, after a longer than average 78-day federal election campaign, Sohi was declared elected as MP for Edmonton Mill Woods. Per the initial count, Sohi received 41.2% of the popular vote and won by a margin of 79 votes. [35] Conservative candidate Tim Uppal successfully argued for a judicial recount of the results. The recount was held on October 29 and increased Sohi's margin of victory to 92 votes. [36] After being elected as MP, Sohi was criticized for accepting a CA$46,000 severance package from the City of Edmonton. He defended the move, saying that he did not determine the amount, which was based on his years of service with Edmonton City Council. [37] [38]

Sohi and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) in 2018 Sohi and Trudeau in 2018.jpeg
Sohi and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) in 2018

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

His Worship The Honourable
Amarjeet Sohi
PC
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi (51632696240) (3x4 crop).jpg
Sohi in 2021
36th Mayor of Edmonton
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 26, 2021

Sohi took on the Infrastructure and Communities portfolio in Justin Trudeau's first Cabinet on November 4, 2015. [39]

Minister of Natural Resources

Sohi took over the Natural Resources profile from Jim Carr on July 18, 2018. [40]

In the 2019 election, Sohi was defeated by Tim Uppal.

Mayor of Edmonton

Defamation Case

In October 2024, it was announced that Sohi was suing three Alberta residents—Varinder Bhullar, Bob Rai, and Abdusselam Huzeyfe Bezirgan—for defamation, accusing them of spreading false claims about his involvement in corruption. Bezirgan, posing as a journalist, launched a video series in 2024 alleging that Sohi unlawfully used his political influence to benefit a relative in a Regina infrastructure project, with Rai as his source. [41]

Bhullar is accused of sharing these videos and adding his own false statements. Sohi claims these accusations led to threats, vandalism, and attacks on his home. He is seeking $750,000 in damages, with any awarded funds going to support efforts against disinformation and to empower underrepresented communities. The defendants deny collaboration and have been given 20 days to file their defence. [41]

Electoral record

2021 Edmonton mayoral election
CandidateVote [42]  %
Amarjeet Sohi105,49745.09
Mike Nickel 59,18925.30
Kim Krushell40,33717.24
Michael Oshry14,4696.18
Cheryll Watson6,7802.90%
Rick Comrie
2019 Canadian federal election : Edmonton Mill Woods
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Tim Uppal 26,73650.3%+9.24$95,203.34
Liberal Amarjeet Sohi 17,87933.6%-7.64$100,305.12
New Democratic Nigel Logan6,42212.1%-0.68$6,657.04
Green Tanya Herbert9681.8%-0.41none listed
People's Annie Young9531.8%-$393.75
Christian Heritage Don Melanson2190.4%-0.18$2,626.06
Total valid votes/expense limit53,177100.0
Total rejected ballots342
Turnout53,51969.0
Eligible voters77,610
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +8.49
Source: Elections Canada [43] [44] [45]
2015 Canadian federal election : Edmonton Mill Woods
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Liberal Amarjeet Sohi 20,42341.24+29.52$136,379.94
Conservative Tim Uppal 20,33141.06-17.88$126,472.41
New Democratic Jasvir Deol 6,33012.78-12.61$55,302.53
Green Ralph McLean1,0962.21-0.78$1,671.63
Independent Colin Stubbs5601.13–$5,091.44
Libertarian Allen K.W. Paley3960.80––
Christian Heritage Peter Downing 2850.58–$3,798.53
Communist Naomi Rankin 960.19––
Total valid votes/expense limit49,51799.54 $206,234.63
Total rejected ballots2270.46–
Turnout49,74467.84–
Eligible voters73,323
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +23.70
These results were subject to a judicial recount, [46] and modified from the validated results in accordance with the Judge's rulings. The margin of Sohi over Uppal increased from 79 votes to 92 votes as a result of the recount. [47]
Source: Elections Canada [48] [49]

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References

  1. ↑ Leavitt, Kieran (2021-05-17). "He's the most well-known Liberal in Alberta. Will that help Amarjeet Sohi become Edmonton's next mayor?". thestar.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  2. ↑ "Former councillor, MP Amarjeet Sohi announces Edmonton mayoral campaign". Global News. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  3. ↑ "Amarjeet Sohi elected Edmonton's 36th mayor, 4 incumbent councillors defeated". Edmonton. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  4. ↑ "Edmonton election 2021: Amarjeet Sohi elected mayor - Edmonton | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  5. ↑ Mohatarem, Kashmala Fida (November 13, 2021). "Amarjeet Sohi's political journey fuelled by experiences as immigrant in Edmonton". CBC News . Retrieved 2022-06-24.
  6. ↑ Service, Tribune News. "Sohi thrusts Banbhaura village into limelight again". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mouallem, Omar (2017-01-04). "Amarjeet Sohi - From Political Prisoner to Parliamentarian". Alberta Views. Archived from the original on 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  8. ↑ "Survey Says: Amarjeet Sohi". Edmonton Journal. September 20, 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-11-09. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Paula Simons (February 14, 2015). "City councillor Amarjeet Sohi recalls his imprisonment in India in the 1980s". Edmonton Journal.
  10. ↑ Amarjeet Sohi [@AmarjeetSohiYEG] (July 16, 2017). "My daughter Seerat Sohi's take on first India-born NBA playing Satnam Singh. https://twitter.com/damiantrillard/status/886022409676931072" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ "Seerat Sohi". Yahoo! Sports . Archived from the original on 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  12. ↑ McClure, Matthew (1988-12-19). "Edmonton man in Indian jail under anti-terrorist law". Edmonton Journal. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-05-19– via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 Sadava, Mike (1989-02-15). "Family of jailed Sikh urges Ottawa to do more". Edmonton Journal. p. 47. Retrieved 2021-05-19– via Newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 Retson, Don (1988-12-20). "Gov't unable to learn more about local man in Indian jail". Edmonton Journal. p. 11. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  15. ↑ Gilmour, Bob (2000-03-03). "DATS drivers oppose city's contracts with cabs". Edmonton Journal. p. 22. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  16. ↑ Thomas, Don (2000-03-05). "DATS riders rally to support drivers". Edmonton Journal. p. 17. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  17. ↑ "Results 1945 to 2013" (PDF). City of Edmonton. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  18. ↑ "2007 Municipal Election Results". edmonton.ca.
  19. 1 2 "Ward 12 - Amarjeet Sohi". edmonton.ca.
  20. ↑ "Reach Edmonton". reachedmonton.ca. Archived from the original on 2015-08-02. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
  21. ↑ Mertz, Emily (28 May 2013). "UPDATE: Councillor Sohi will not run for Edmonton mayor". Global News. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  22. ↑ "Human Rights Awards". jhcentre.org. Archived from the original on 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  23. ↑ Kirman, Paula E. "Aboriginal cleric honoured for advocacy work". Ammsa.com. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  24. ↑ Nineteenth Annual Report 2014 – 2015 (PDF) (Report). Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action. 2015-06-10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  25. ↑ "2015 Men of Honour Recipients | CEASE" . Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  26. ↑ "RISE Awards Brings Out Immigrant Successes". diversitymag.ca. Archived from the original on 2015-07-16.
  27. ↑ "Amarjeet Sohi to be acclaimed Liberal candidate for Millwoods". cbc.ca. 12 February 2015.
  28. ↑ Ryan Tumilty (June 4, 2015). "Liberal leader Justin Trudeau gives boost to Amarjeet Sohi campaign launch". Metro. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  29. ↑ Matt Dykstra (July 10, 2015). "Alberta Federation of Labour President running for federal NDP nomination". Edmonton Sun.
  30. ↑ Dave Lazzarino (June 11, 2015). "Edmonton city councillor calls banning niqabs is a 'slippery slope'". Edmonton Sun.
  31. ↑ "PM should respond to 'whities' comment: Candidate". Sarnia Observer.
  32. ↑ "Tim Uppal has 'no answers' for parents separated from daughter". cbc.ca. 11 July 2015.
  33. 1 2 JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI (January 29, 2015). "Bhullar blames 'dirty tricks' for Liberal ballot bust". The Globe and Mail.
  34. 1 2 Althia Raj (February 2, 2015). "Varinder Bhullar, Edmonton Liberal, Accuses Party Of Breaking Open Nominations Pledge". The Huffington Post.
  35. ↑ Elise Stolte (October 20, 2015). "Liberal Amarjeet Sohi pulls out a squeaker in Edmonton Mill Woods". Edmonton Journal.
  36. ↑ Paige, Parsons (2015-10-29). "Liberal candidate Amarjeet Sohi declared winner following Edmonton Mill Woods recount". Edmonton Journal . Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  37. ↑ Le Couteur, Mike (February 4, 2016). "Minister accepted $46K severance package from Edmonton city hall". Global News . Archived from the original on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  38. ↑ Robb, Trevor (February 8, 2016). "Former Edmonton councillor Sohi says he earned severance". Edmonton Journal . Archived from the original on 2016-02-10. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  39. ↑ "Full list of Justin Trudeau's cabinet". CBC News.
  40. ↑ "Mixed reactions as Edmonton's Amarjeet Sohi appointed to pipeline portfolio". CBC News . 2018-07-18. Archived from the original on 2018-07-20. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  41. 1 2 Cummings, Madeline (11 October 2024). "Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi suing 3 Alberta residents for defamation". CBC.
  42. ↑ "Unofficial 2021 Election Results | City of Edmonton". www.edmonton.ca. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  43. ↑ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  45. ↑ "Candidate Campaign Returns". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Tim Uppal's request for Edmonton-Mill Woods recount granted by judge". CBC News. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  47. ↑ "Judicial recount results arriving after narrow election wins". CBC News. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  48. ↑ "October 19, 2015 Election Results — Edmonton Mill Woods (Results as Certified by a Judge)". Elections Canada. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  49. ↑ Elections Canada – Final Candidates Election Expenses Limits
29th Ministry – Cabinet of Justin Trudeau
Cabinet posts (2)
PredecessorOfficeSuccessor
Jim Carr Minister of Natural Resources
July 18, 2018 – November 20, 2019		 Seamus O'Regan
Ministry Created Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
November 4, 2015 – July 18, 2018		 François-Philippe Champagne
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