Martin Singh

Martin Singh is a (Canadian converted to Sikhism) Politician belonging to new Democratic Party of Martin Singh Canada. The 42 year old Martin Singh became a Sikh in 1991 and got baptized in 1993. According to him, he was influenced by a number of Sikhs living in Brampton and also by the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. There was a Sikh family in Calgary who got him introduced to a Sikh girl living in Amritsar in 1993. In 1997, when he visited India, he met that girl working as a Librarian of Religious Study Department at Guru Nanak Dev University. This Librarian introduced him to her niece Amandeep Kaur who had just finished her masters in Punjabi Literature from Punjabi University, Patiala. He married Amandeep Kaur and the couple started living in Brampton, Canada. Martin Singh came into lime-light when he ran for the leadership of the NDP 2012. He again figured prominently when he fought election in 2015 as NDP Candidate from Brampton North.

Had he won the election, he would have been the first white Sikh M.P. in the Canadian Parliament. He had a great hope as he had contacted 21000 Punjabis living in his riding (Constituency) and was sure that he could do a lot in their favour in respect of Immigration Laws and Visa system so that the immigrants could have their families together. He being in the Pharmacy business with 500 employees, had assured to create more jobs for the Punjabis living there. However, as he was pitted against two prominent Punjabis from Conservative and Liberal Parties, he lost to the Liberal Candidate Ruby Sahota. Despite the fact that this prominent businessman has not become a Member of Parliament this time, his interest in and conversion to Sikhism provide him with a unique position of a role model. Further, though he is still unable to speak Punjabi fluently, his effort in using Punjabi words particulary Paaji has made him quite popular among the Sikh community. The Sikh couple with their three kids lives in Brampton, Canada.