From scrubs to the House of Commons
Credit to Author: Lisa Evans| Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:02:34 +0000
Minister of Diversity and Inclusion, Persons with Disabilities Kamal Khera takes immense pride in serving the community.
The Honourable Minister Kamal Khera didn’t always envision herself as a politician.
Born in India, Khera spent her early years in New Delhi. “My family lived a middle-class life in the city, with my dad working as a scientist and my mom as a teacher,” she says. Her parents recognized the potential for greater opportunities in Canada and decided to move to Canada. They settled in Peel region where Khera completed high school.
“I vividly remember the warm and welcoming embrace of our new life in Canada,” she says. “Fortunately, I found myself settling in remarkably quickly, thanks to the incredible support system that my family and I found in the Peel region.”
The presence of a nearby gurdwara – a place of worship for Sikhs – as well as several Indian grocery shops helped the Khera family to connect with the Canadian Sikh community. “This made the transition to our new surroundings much smoother, as it helped us feel connected to our roots,” she says.
Living in the Peel region also exposed Khera to the rich tapestry of cultures and faiths that enriched her understanding of diversity and helped foster a deep appreciation for the multicultural fabric of Canada.
Khera had always been a firm believer in giving back to her community and to live a life of service. She credits her family with instilling a strong sense of community in her from a young age. Her brother served as a Member of the Canadian Air Force and upon graduation from high school, Khera decided to become a registered nurse. She worked in the Palliative and Oncology unit for two years at a hospital in Toronto. “I loved working as a nurse. You’re not just performing medical tasks; you’re connecting with people and making a difference in their lives,” she said.
In 2015, Khera decided to switch gears and serve her community in a different way and run for political office.
“I saw that there was an enormous amount of work that needed to be done in our community,” she says.
From making life more affordable for families, to improvising transit, Khera saw that the community of Brampton West in particular and all of Canada was in need of strong voices demanding change and guided by the very values of community and giving back that had led her to her career in nursing, she decided to put her name on the ballot and enter the political arena.
During the election, Khera and her team knocked on many doors and spoke with individuals who sought to see change in their communities.
“I saw the positive impact that I was able to make in my community through my work as an elected official,” she says. “I am connected with my constituents and understand their needs, and I use my platform to advocate for policies and initiatives that improve their lives and the lives of Canadians.”
Khera was nominated as the Liberal Party’s candidate in Brampton West in December 2014 and won the seat in the federal election in October 2015, becoming the youngest elected Member of Parliament at just 26 years of age.
Despite what may seem an instant success, Khera’s entry into politics wasn’t without several challenges. “Way too often I was told I was too young to run, I should work as a nurse only, or I should start a family before I get into politics. Outrageously, I was even told that as a woman, I wouldn’t win,” she says.
Khera was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health in 2015 then Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue. She was re-elected in 2019 and 2021 and served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development from 2018 to 2021. Khera was re-elected in 2021 and on July 26, 2023, she was appointed to the position of Minister of Diversity and Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities, a position she takes immense pride in as an immigrant to Canada herself.
“When I first started in politics, there weren’t many women who looked like me in those leadership roles,” she says. “But inclusion is a core value of our party, and we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that diverse voices are not only heard but actively included at every decision-making table.”
Khera takes pride in knowing that, as a public figure, she can serve to inspire and empower more young women of colour to pursue their own paths to success, whether in politics or other arenas.
“My story reflects the aspirations of countless immigrant families who come to Canada for a brighter future,” says Khera.
She encourages newcomers to seek out support networks within their community and connect with fellow newcomers who have faced similar challenges.
“To those who are struggling to find their path here in Canada, whether it’s in search of a new career or facing the challenges of starting over, I would say this: never stop believing in yourself,” she says.
“You have the potential to achieve great things in Canada, just as I did when I was in your shoes.”
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