In what was perhaps the worst-kept secret in Edmonton over the past few days, the city’s mayor is attempting a return to federal politics because he said Canada needs experienced leaders to push back against U.S. President Donald Trump.
On the same day that Mark Carney triggered a federal election, Amarjeet Sohi was announced as the Liberal candidate for Edmonton Southeast.
“This is the most consequential election of our lifetime — we must fight to defend our sovereignty, economy, and workers, ” Sohi said in a statement Sunday afternoon.
“Our country is facing unprecedented times. President Trump is attacking our sovereignty, jobs, economy and our way of life.”
Sohi said he has had the immense privilege of serving Edmontonians as a city councillor, member of Parliament, cabinet minister and mayor, and wants to use that experience to continue to serve Canadians.
“Given the threat of this disruption, it is imperative that strong and experienced leaders step up to defend our workers, working families, local businesses and our community.”
The Conservative Party of Canada and New Democratic Party of Canada have not yet announced their candidates for the riding.
Sohi immigrated to Edmonton from India with his family in 1981 and attended Bonnie Doon High School.
He has significant first-hand experience fighting back against injustice. In 1988, as a young social activist doing volunteer development work in India, he was arrested while organizing a protest by authorities in the state of Bihar and accused of being a terrorist without evidence.
He was beaten, tortured, held without charges or a trial for almost two years. Most of that time — 18 out of 21 months —was spent in solitary confinement.
A change in local government finally led to his release and he came back to Canada, where he got married, had a family and worked as a bus driver before entering politics.
“Canada is facing a critical moment in our history,” Sohi said on Sunday. “While we can’t control President Trump, we can control how we respond — that is why I have decided to join Mark Carney in the fight for our community, for our province, and for our country.
“I will not back down.”
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