Former federal minister in the Justin Trudeau government Amarjeet Sohi was elected Edmonton’s next mayor, making history as the first person of colour and first Indo-Canadian to be elected as Edmonton’s mayor. Sohi said every public institution should reflect the community it serves and changes need to be made so that minorities, women and people from different backgrounds aren’t prevented from running and serving.

EDMONTON – Former federal minister in the Justin Trudeau government Amarjeet Sohi was elected Edmonton’s next mayor, making history as the first person of colour and first Indo-Canadian to be elected as Edmonton’s mayor.

Calgary also has made history by electing not only it’s first female mayor but successively electing it’s second South Asian mayor in Jyoti Gondek.

Sohi said every public institution should reflect the community it serves and changes need to be made so that minorities, women and people from different backgrounds aren’t prevented from running and serving, reported Global News.

In 2015, he made the move into federal politics as the MP for Edmonton Mill Woods. Sohi served as minister of Infrastructure and Communities from 2015 to 2018 and Minister of Natural Resources from 2018 to 2019. He served one term before losing his seat during the 2019 federal election.

With 94 per cent of polls reporting, Sohi had won 45 per cent of the vote. The candidate with the second-highest votes was Mike Nickel, with 25 per cent, then Kim Krushell, with 17 per cent.

Sohi immigrated to Edmonton from India with his family in 1981. He attended Bonnie Doon High School and later worked as a bus driver in the city.

“I came to this city as a young man. I had nothing, and yet, I had everything,” he said, speaking about the support of his family.

 “I had ambitions and dreams to build a new life in a new home, dreams that sometimes seemed impossible.

“Today, because of you, because of everyone in this room, we have made the impossible possible.”

Sohi added that, as cities recover from the impacts of COVID-19, “we need to be there for each other.”

Sohi stressed the importance of provincial support and partnership when it comes to issues like responding to the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, addresses houselessness and fighting the opioid crisis.

The mayor-elect promised to “build an Edmonton for all of us.”

“Every single day, I will show up and work hard for you,” Sohi said.

“As a bus driver, councillor and federal minister, I helped move so many people through this city. But tonight, I’m the one who’s moved by this city.”

Sohi admitted polarization has been a huge issue recently.

“We have seen the racism and discrimination. Yes, we have seen division being promoted and anger being fostered. That is why it is important that Edmontonians elect someone who can bring them together. Someone who has the skill set, ability, experience and the collaborative skills to pull us together.”

Outgoing mayor Don Iveson issued a statement Monday night, congratulating Sohi on his election as Edmonton’s 36th mayor.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mayor-elect Sohi during his time as city councillor and have always appreciated and been inspired by how hard he has worked for our community.

“I have no doubt Edmonton will thrive under his leadership,” Iveson said.

Iveson will transfer the role to Sohi at a ceremony at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.