Moe Sihota

Last updated

Jessie Sihota
​
(m. 1985)​
Moe Sihota
Moe Sihota.jpg
President of the British Columbia New Democratic Party
In office
November 29, 2009 –November 17, 2013
Alma mater University of British Columbia
University of Victoria
Professionlawyer

Munmohan Singh "Moe" Sihota (born February 18, 1955) is a Canadian politician, broadcaster and lawyer. [1] He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA), representing Esquimalt-Port Renfrew from 1986 to 1991, and Esquimalt-Metchosin from 1991 to 2001; he was the first Canadian of South Asian and Indian descent to be elected to provincial parliament. [2] [3] A member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP), he was a cabinet minister under premiers Mike Harcourt, Glen Clark and Dan Miller, and served as party president from 2009 to 2013.

Contents

Early life and education

Born in Duncan, British Columbia, [4] he attended St. George's Boys School in Vancouver on scholarship. [5] He earned a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1977, [6] and was a social worker in White Rock from 1978 to 1979. [7] He was awarded a scholarship to Warwick School of Economics in 1981,[ citation needed ] and earned a law degree from the University of Victoria, [2] then began practising law in Esquimalt in 1984. [8]

He married his wife Jessie in 1985. [8] They have two children together, Rajan and Karina. [2]

Political career

His political career began during his undergraduate years, serving as external affairs officer for the UBC student society, the Alma Mater Society, [8] as well as serving as an elected student representative on the UBC Board of Governors. [9] After graduating from UBC, he became president of the Young New Democrats, [8] and served as president of Cowichan—Malahat—The Islands Federal NDP. [10] He was also the campaign manager for Frank Mitchell and Jim Manly, who were re-elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in 1983 and the House of Commons of Canada in 1984 respectively. Sihota was elected as an alderman for Esquimalt in 1984. [5] [11]

In the 1986 provincial election, Sihota ran as the BC NDP candidate in the riding of Esquimalt-Port Renfrew to replace the retiring Mitchell. He held the seat easily, [12] and became the first Indo-Canadian to be elected to any federal or provincial riding. [2] [5] He served as the NDP's labour critic in the 34th Parliament. [13]

In 1991, Sihota ran for and won re-election in the new riding of Esquimalt-Metchosin as part of an NDP landslide victory. [12] Subsequently, he was named to Premier Mike Harcourt's cabinet as Minister of Labour and Consumer Services, and Minister Responsible for Constitutional Affairs, [14] becoming the first Indo-Canadian cabinet minister in a province of Canada. [11] He was re-assigned as Minister of the Environment, Lands and Parks, and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and Human Rights in September 1993, serving in those roles until his resignation in May 1995. [14]

He was re-instated to the environment portfolio in August 1995, [14] then became Minister of Education, Skills and Training and Minister of Labour in the Glen Clark cabinet following his re-election in 1996. [12] [15] He once again resigned his cabinet posts in December 1996, then returned to cabinet as Minister Responsible for Public Service in October 1998, before becoming Minister of Social Development and Economic Security in July 1999. [15]

Following Clark's resignation as premier and NDP leader in August 1999, Sihota retained his post in Dan Miller's cabinet. [16] He considered running in the leadership election, but pulled out by December 1999. [17] Ujjal Dosanjh was elected NDP leader in February 2000, and did not name Sihota to any cabinet position. [18] [19]

During his time in government, he created 200 new provincial parks, extended workers' compensation coverage to farm workers, and changed BC logging practices. He also served as Minister Responsible for BC Hydro, Minister Responsible for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, and Government House Leader. [2]

Controversy

BC Hydro appointment

Sihota helped his friend and former Vancouver MP Herb Dhaliwal become appointed to the board of B.C. Hydro in 1991, after Dhaliwal provided Sihota with a substantial mortgage guarantee. [20] The opposition BC Liberals then requested an investigation by Conflict Commissioner Ted Hughes. Hughes later found that Sihota had not been in a conflict of interest. However, Hughes also said at the time of the finding that had the new laws been in place during Dhaliwal's appointment in 1991, Sihota would have been found to be in a conflict of interest. [21]

BC Law Society misconduct

Sihota resigned from cabinet in May 1995 after the Law Society of British Columbia found him guilty of professional misconduct and suspended his licence to practice for 18 months; [22] he was reinstated to cabinet that August. [14] In his memoirs, "A Measure of Defiance", former BC Premier Mike Harcourt commented that "Although the B.C. Law Society denied the allegation, the hint that the investigation of our outspoken environment minister was politically motivated was too strong to be dismissed that quickly. There was no public outcry over the incident and to most of his constituents, reporters and even political adversaries, Moe's credibility did not suffer seriously." [23]

Limousine licences

In 1996 Dhaliwal had applied to the Motor Carrier Commission for several licences related to a limousine company partly owned by Dhaliwal and run by Sihota's cousin. It was later revealed by the former Commission chairman that Sihota had made repeated calls and wrote several letters to the commission in relation to Dhaliwal's applications. [20] Sihota again resigned from cabinet in December 1996. [15] A new investigation was started not by the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, but by fellow NDP party member and Glen Clark deputy minister Doug McArthur. Although McArthur found that Sihota had "exercised poor judgment and bullied commission staff", he found that Sihota had not been in a conflict of interest. [21] Glen Clark then reappointed Sihota back to cabinet in 1998. [15]

Post-MLA career

With the NDP behind in polls, Sihota announced in March 2001 that he would not run again in that May's provincial election. [24] After finishing his term as MLA, he joined CIVI-TV (formerly The New VI, now CTV 2), a television station in Victoria which went on air in October 2001. [25] He initially co-anchored the station's early evening newscast, [26] then became the host for phone-in show VILand Voices before being let go in 2004 as part of station restructuring. [27] [28] Since then he had provided political commentary for CBC Radio's Early Edition political panel. [11]

Since 2004, Sihota has pursued several business opportunities and is currently a part-owner and director of the Northern Bear Golf Club (Edmonton, AB), Four Points Sheraton (Victoria, BC) and Walton's Lakefront Resort (Osoyoos, BC).[ citation needed ]

In 2012, Vancouver Magazine named Sihota as one of B.C's 50 most influential citizens. [29]

In 2012, Sihota received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to Canadian society. [30]

In 2005, the Parvasi Awards were created to honour outstanding achievements by Canadian Punjabis. Sihota was the recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of being the first Indo-Canadian elected to a Canadian legislature and the first Indo-Canadian ever to be appointed to a cabinet. [31]

The 100 Year Journey Project chronicles the stories of the first 100 South Asians that impacted Canadian society, chartered new territories and broke new ground. Sihota received the 2015 Pioneers and Navigators Award for his work in politics and public policy. [32]

After the 2015 election of the New Democratic government in Alberta, Sihota joined Edmonton's Canadian Strategy Group as a strategic counsel to provide political and policy advice to Alberta corporations, trade unions and non-profits. [11] [33]

BC NDP president

In November 2009, Sihota was elected to the position of president of the BC New Democratic Party. [22] In October 2010, the media revealed that Sihota was being paid a salary for his position as president, [34] with payments from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, United Steelworkers, and the British Columbia Federation of Labour. [35] Sihota was elected to a second term at the 2011 party convention. [36]

Sihota, along with party leader Adrian Dix, faced criticism for running a poor campaign following the NDP's unexpected defeat in the 2013 provincial election. On September 21, 2013, the day after Dix announced his intention to step down as leader, Sihota announced that he would be stepping down as party president at the end of his term in November 2013. [4] [36] He was credited with modernizing the NDP's fundraising capacity and implementing outreach to the business community during his term. [36]

References

  1. ↑ Guide Parlementaire Canadien. 1991. ISBN   9780921925408.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "36th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 18, 2001: Mr. Moe Sihota". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Archived from the original on November 13, 2004.
  3. ↑ "One on One with the South-Asian Trailblazer Moe Sihota". Red FM. December 7, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Moe Sihota to step down as president of B.C. New Democrats". Times Colonist . September 21, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Singh, Gurmukh (July 30, 2018). "Moe Sihota is the first PIO to be MLA in western world". Times of India . Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  6. ↑ "The UBC Caucus" (PDF). UBC Alumni Chronicle, Volume 45, Number 3. 1991. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  7. ↑ Zillich, Tom (November 23, 2016). "Moe Sihota documentary filmed by Surrey director". Surrey Now-Leader. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Mall, Rattan (November 24, 2020). "First South Asian MLA Moe Sihota calls it 'a very celebratory day for our community' as a record 9 South Asian MLAs sworn in". The Indo-Canadian Voice. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Alma Mater Society's Past & Present Executives and Student Representatives on the Board of Governors" (PDF). UBC Alma Mater Society. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  10. ↑ Webster, Bill (March 23, 1983). "Riding change objections to be heard next week" (PDF). Gulf Islands Driftwood. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Labour and Political Veterans Join Canadian Strategy Group" (Press release). Canadian Strategy Group. June 5, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 "Candidates: Moe Singh Sihota". Canadian Elections Database. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  13. ↑ Beyer, Hubert (May 31, 1989). "NDP: give health protection to farmer" (PDF). Gulf Islands Driftwood. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Harcourt Cabinet: 35th Parliament 1991–1996" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia . Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Glen Clark Cabinet: 35th Parliament (5th Session) 1996; 36th Parliament (1st–3rd Session) 1996–1999" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia . Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Miller Cabinet: 36th Parliament (3rd Session) 1999–2000" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia . Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Sihota supporters crucial". CBC News. December 16, 1999. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Dosanjh Elected BC Leader". Maclean's. March 6, 2000. Retrieved April 21, 2025– via The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  19. ↑ "New B.C. cabinet". CBC News. February 29, 2000. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  20. 1 2 The Canadian Press, 12 Dec 1996,"Moe Sihota quits cabinet," Toronto
  21. 1 2 The Canadian Press, 20 Oct 1998, Greg Joyce, "Moe Sihota put back in cabinet," Toronto
  22. 1 2 Ivens, Andy (November 30, 2009). "More Moe for B.C. NDP as Sihota named president". The Province . Archived from the original on December 26, 2009.
  23. ↑ Harcourt, Mike (1996). A Measure of Defiance. Vancouver, British Columbia: Douglas & McIntyre. p. 140. ISBN   978-1550545203.
  24. ↑ "Sihota calling it quits". CBC News. March 13, 2001. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  25. ↑ Harnett, Cindy E. (May 18, 2001). "Moe ends political career, jumps to TV". Times Colonist . Retrieved May 3, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ Edwards, Ian (May 28, 2001). "Controversial and native talent for New VI". Playback . Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  27. ↑ Edwards, Ian (July 19, 2004). "CHUM cuts 29 staff in Victoria". Playback . Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  28. ↑ Dix, Adrian (July 12, 2004). "New VI Massacre All Too Familiar". The Tyee . Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  29. ↑ secure.vanmag.com
  30. ↑ "Moe Sihota". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  31. ↑ parvasiawards.com
  32. ↑ "100 Year gala celebrates South Asian pioneers and navigators". Asian Pacific Post. October 13, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  33. ↑ Cotter, John (June 8, 2015). "Lobbying firm with ties to former Alberta Tory government goes left for advice". Huffington Post. The Canadian Press . Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Bill Tieleman: Was Moe Sihota being paid $72,000 a year to be NDP President? Who approved it?". October 13, 2010.
  35. ↑ "New Democrats doing the Sihota squirm. - View from the Ledge". Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  36. 1 2 3 Crawford, Tiffany (September 21, 2013). "Moe Sihota to step down as NDP president". Vancouver Sun . Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
British Columbia provincial government of Dan Miller
Cabinet post (1)
PredecessorOfficeSuccessor
cont'd from Clark MinistryMinister of Social Development and Economic Security
August 25, 1999–February 24, 2000		 Jan Pullinger
British Columbia provincial government of Glen Clark
Cabinet posts (5)
PredecessorOfficeSuccessor
Ministry EstablishedMinister of Social Development and Economic Security
July 21, 1999–August 25, 1999		cont'd into Miller Ministry
Ministry EstablishedMinister Responsible for Public Service
October 20, 1998–July 21, 1999		 Helmut Giesbrecht
Penny Priddy Minister of Labour
June 17, 1996–December 12, 1996		 Joy MacPhail
Paul Ramsey Minister of Education, Skills and Training
June 17, 1996–December 12, 1996		 Joy MacPhail
cont'd from Harcourt MinistryMinister of the Environment, Lands and Parks
February 22, 1996–June 17, 1996		 Paul Ramsey
British Columbia provincial government of Mike Harcourt
Cabinet posts (4)
PredecessorOfficeSuccessor
Anita Hagen Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and Human Rights
September 15, 1993–May 10, 1995		 Ujjal Dosanjh
John Cashore
Elizabeth Cull 		Minister of the Environment, Lands and Parks
September 15, 1993–May 10, 1995
August 16, 1995–February 22, 1996		 Elizabeth Cull
cont'd into Clark Ministry
James Thomas Rabbitt Minister of Labour and Consumer Services
November 5, 1991–September 15, 1993		 Dan Miller
Ministry EstablishedMinister Responsible for Constitutional Affairs
November 5, 1991–September 15, 1993		Ministry Abolished
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.