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Indian may get berth in Ontario Cabinet

Ajit Jain
India Abroad Correspondent in Toronto

Raminder Gill, Progressive Conservative member of the Ontario legislature, is likely to be included in the Ontario Cabinet during the next reshuffle by Premier Mike Harris.

Gill is also currently parliamentary assistant to Education Minister Diane Cunningham, a fact emphasized by Harris during his keynote address at the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce gala dinner on Saturday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The dinner was attended by 1,000 businessmen, professionals, community leaders and politicians.

But Harris's remark that Raminder is the first Sikh member of the Ontario legislature led to some guests contending that Gill represents the South Asian community, and not just Sikhs. But Gill, while thanking the premier after his keynote address, identified himself as the "first South Asian member" of the Ontario legislature.

Gill's election should result "in many more Indo-Canadians in the legislature after the next election", Harris said with a great deal of optimism. The next provincial election is likely in June 2003, if not earlier.

Stressing that Indo-Canadians are "flourishing" in Ontario, Harris said South Asians have strengthened "our economy". "Our doors are open to everyone" and Ontario would like more and more persons from India to migrate to Canada "because you ask less ... [and are] prepared to give so much more...," he continued.

The Ontario premier's speech and the relaxed and friendly manner in which he conducted himself during the VIP reception indicated his interest in winning over the South Asian community, said community leaders.

Gill was seen throughout the reception talking to the premier and Federal Minister for International Cooperation Maria Minna.

Asked if this was a prelude to his being inducted in the Cabinet, Gill replied: "I do my job that my constituents have elected me to do."

Canada is now home to about 1.2 million South Asians, with 60 per cent of them living in Ontario.

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