1989. One of the first Muslims elected to higher political office in North America. Was the Minister of Utilities and Telephones from 1979 to 1982; the Minister of Housing (1982–1986) and Minister of Economic Development and Trade (1986–1989) First Canadian Muslim MPP (Ontario) Khalil Ramal, Liberal MPP for London-Fanshawe from 2003 till 2011 Shafiq Qaadri, Liberal MPP for Etobicoke North from 2003 till 2018 First Canadian Muslim president of a provincial political party Yasir Naqvi, President of the Ontario Liberal Party from 2009 - ? First Canadian Muslim Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary since 2010. Norwegian Canadians First Norwegian elected to a legislature in Canada Hans Lars Helgesen, 1878–1886, Esquimalt, British Columbia MLA, first Scandinavian-Canadian member of a provincial legislature Polish Canadians First Polish Canadians elected to the House of Commons (first Polish Canadian MPs) Alexandre-Édouard Kierzkowski, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Liberal MP, 1867–1872 Fred Rose, Labor-Progressive (Communist) MP 1943–1947, from Cartier, Quebec Portuguese Canadians First Portuguese Canadian elected to the House of Commons John Rodriguez, Nickel Belt, New Democratic Party MP, 1974–1980, 1984–1993 (Guyanese Portuguese) Russian Canadians Russian Canadian leader of the opposition and leader of a major federal political party: Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Party of Canada, 2008–2011 Slovak Canadians First Slovak Canadian to run for the leadership of a major party: Peter Kormos, Ontario New Democratic Party leadership 1996 South Asian Canadians Note: South Asians include those of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, or Bangladeshi ancestry. First South Asian elected in Canada: Naranjan Grewall, City Councilor Mission, 1950 (Punjabi-Canadian) Naranjan Grewall, Mayor Mission, 1954 Johnder Basran, Mayor Lillooet, early 1960s (Punjabi-Canadian) First South Asian candidate in British Columbia: Naranjan Grewall, British Columbia, Dewdney, CCF Party of British Columbia, 1956 provincial election First South Asian Canadian candidate in Canada: Hardial Bains, Marxist–Leninist Party of Canada, Eglinton, 1972 federal election First South Asian Provincial Premier: Ujjal Dosanjh, British Columbia New Democratic Party, February 24, 2000 to June 5, 2001 (Punjabi-Canadian) First South Asian Territorial Premier: Ranj Pillai, Yukon Liberal Party, January 28, 2023 – present (Malayali-Canadian) First South Asian leaders of a major political party: Raj Pannu, Alberta New Democratic Party February 2, 2000 – 2004 (MLA 1997–2008) (Punjabi-Canadian) Note: Hardial Bains was the first South Asian Canadian to lead a political party. He founded and led the Marxist–Leninist Party of Canada from 1970 to 1997 First South Asians elected to the House of Commons: Gurbax Singh Malhi, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, Liberal