By Saima Desai & Aniket Kali
“Welcome,” the Hindu spiritual guru intoned from an elevated stage covered in white and saffron cloth. “And very, very happy birthday to you.”
It was June 2023, and Pierre Poilievre was getting a warm reception at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ont.
The Conservative Party leader, wearing a sash with an inscription hailing female Hindu goddesses, and a tilak, a Hindu mark on the forehead, was introduced to a full house of temple-goers as “the next Prime Minister of Canada.”
By the time he got around to making remarks, Poilievre outlined his usual policy proposals—slashing taxes, balancing the budget, and cutting housing regulations. But he also had offers specifically for Canada’s Hindus.
“When I go to India to meet with the Indian Prime Minister, we will sign a free trade agreement, and I will be able to sign the document in Hindi,” he pledged to loud applause.
He promised to fast track licensing for immigrant professionals—a barrier for Indians and many other immigrants to Canada.
And Poilievre also expressed his solidarity with the victims of what he described as a wave of hate.
This story was originally published in breachmedia.ca. Read the full story here.
