First elected in 2015 and re-elected twice, she is a Member of Parliament for Brampton South. She has distinguished herself in Parliament as someone focused on strong representation for her constituents. One of her primary concerns has always been protecting people’s health. She worked as a healthcare professional for 18 years before politics and has recently earned a name in assisting Canada navigate through the impacts of COVID-19.
The passion
Her experience in healthcare naturally extended into her elected work. Her passion for diabetes awareness and prevention resulted in successful legislative achievements. With her efforts, Canada declared November the month of diabetes awareness month – her first step in her fight to end diabetes. She continues to be at the forefront of the #LetsEndDiabetes campaign in Canada. She ensured that Private Members’ Bill C-237, an act to establish a national framework for diabetes, became a law in the country. It aims to help diabetes and pre-diabetes patients. With only 2% of bills having a change at success, this is a significant achievement. While it also did fetch her the Frederick Banting Award and Canada’s Top 25 Immigrant award, what she is proud of is the respect she garnered!
“The rate of diabetes has increased over the years, affecting South Asian Canadians predominantly. Being a South Asian Canadian, I saw the need for better care and support among my neighbours in Brampton,” she says.
As an advocate for diabetes, mental health, women’s rights and seniors’ issues, Sonia represents the needs of Brampton-South in the Standing Committee on Health and as the vice-chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. She is also the general secretary of the Canada–India Parliamentary Friendship Group and an executive member of Canada– Commonwealth, Canada–Netherlands, Canada–Poland and Canada–Portugal Parliamentary Friendship Groups. She has worked closely with Justin Trudeau to help people across the country and build a better future.
Sonia has been passionate about politics from a very young age. Or did she inherit it from her grandfather?
Born in 1968 in Amritsar, Sonia was always a kind child, very close to her family. Her father, Satpal Singh Randhawa, and mother, Pritpal Kaur, both worked together at a hospital. Her paternal grandfather, Sardar Pooran Singh, was very well-connected socially and was known for his passion for community. Her maternal grandparents too were politically active. The accomplishments of her family inspired her to take on active leadership roles. As a student of grade 10 at Mall Road School in Amritsar, she participated as an NCC guide in different activities. From graduating with a degree in political science from a college in Ludhiana to volunteering on numerous campaigns, Sonia’s dedication to public service runs deep. When she moved to Winnipeg in 1993, she decided to study medical terminology thinking it would help her stay close to the people and work at the grassroots. While taking evening classes, she took up a job as a cashier and gradually started to work at the Victoria Hospital as a cardiac technologist. And also helped people – something she always wanted to. To upgrade her skills, she enrolled in courses to become a cardiac technologist and later a diabetes educator. It brought her closer to the people she served, and it gradually formed a close bond with patients.
At the same time, her husband, Gurjit, was the president of the riding association in Streetsville, Mississauga, and would hold many events in the community. Sonia never shied away from joining him, which allowed her to understand the needs of the community better, especially of marginalised groups like seniors. She gradually built strong bonds with people and set out to lead her community, eventually becoming an MP.
Even as she rose to heights in political leadership, she didn’t forget her commitment to the healthcare of people at large. Though she doesn’t have any diabetic person in her family, the plight of people suffering, especially senior citizens and marginalised women, tugged at her heart.
The story behind
Sonia is quick to thank her family for inspiring her on this journey. “It has been their support, every day – from childhood till date – that I could do this.”
When she got married to Gurjit in 1993, she probably had no idea she was about to enter another circle of love. He had moved to Winnipeg from Ludhiana in 1988. Gurjit is a successful entrepreneur and community leader. His father was a teacher, and his mother was the headmistress of a local school. Sonia’s in-laws also motivated her along the way towards society’s upliftment. “They, in fact, joined me and gave me ideas,” she remembers. Though the couple often found it difficult to juggle between raising kids, work and life, they have always supported each other towards growth.
Her brother, Sukhdeep, a successful entrepreneur, is always there to help her and the people around. “Whenever someone needs help, he is there, no questions asked,” Sonia says about him. “You have to be kind-hearted to be able to help. That’s simply Sukhdeep.”
“I believe that everything that we give comes back. So, when I was pregnant with our twin daughters, Arshia and Amrit, both Gurjit and I kept busy with our work. Gurjit kept busy with the riding association; I was working as a diabetes educator, volunteering at various places like the Trillium. It was the community’s love that kept things easy for us. By the time we welcomed Akash, our son, we too were experienced,” smiles Sonia.
At the mention of Akash, she swells with pride, “He is an extremely kind-hearted person”. He accompanies Sonia during many of her volunteerships. She is equally proud of bright and talented Arshia and Amrit. “One has the same passion for helping people and wants to be a doctor. Another has the passion for legal advocacy and will become a lawyer. I cannot wait to see the good work they will do in the community”, Sonia says.
Sonia quickly credits everything to her paternal grandmother, Gurnam Kaur. “It will be remiss to not mention my grandmother – the humblest person I have known. Growing up with grandparents has a different effect on you; you grow up with their wisdom and knowledge of the world. From her, my siblings and I learned some values that we cherish to date and guide our children with – humility, peace, hard work, honesty, ahimsa, Punjabi culture, etc. She would narrate to us bed-time stories of her experiences and Indian mythology. It eventually has become the basis of my existence. It all makes me a strong person! I also learned many herbal home-remedies for quick treatments from her. She basically has laid the foundation for the person that I am today.”
The India of innocence
Both Sonia and Gurjit have been in Canada for almost three decades and have made something out of themselves here. However, they couldn’t forget the innocence of India of those times. Those were the days, as she says, when she would have no knowledge of the man-made barriers. “We had no knowledge of religions and the kinds. My friends and I would go to temples and gurudwara, serve others and enjoy the langar. Togetherness was the only religion we knew of.” Thinking of the days, she laughs, “Amritsar was a hub for food-lovers. We’d have chole-kulche, tikka and ice-cream. Festivals and school vacations meant family gatherings, days full of time to play and good food!”
Sonia is passionate about yoga, meditation, bicycling and healthy food. “It helps me concentrate and reflect on the work ahead. Healthy food and active living are also something I promote as a Parliamentarian.”
As a woman, she has not only witnessed but also experienced the challenges that come with being a mother and a woman in society. “We often forget to take care of ourselves; we let our mental and physical health down.” As the vice-chair of the Status of Women Committee, she hopes to encourage women of all ages to prioritise themselves, break barriers and pursue their dreams. “When women thrive, we all thrive!” Sonia says.
Sonia plans to continue working hard on being a constructive and strong voice for her community’s priorities and to ensure all Canadians have a real and fair chance at success.