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Jyoti Gondek to seek re-election as Mayor of Calgary
Born in the UK, Jyoti Gondek is the daughter of Jasdev Singh Grewal, a lawyer, and Surjit Kaur Grewal. She immigrated to Canada with her parents at the age of four.
In 2017, Jyoti was elected Ward 3 Councillor in Calgary, and in 2021, she became the Mayor. /
Jyoti Gondek, made history in 2017 as the first woman of South Asian descent to serve as a Councillor in Calgary. Four years later, she broke another barrier, becoming not only the first woman of South Asian descent but also the first woman ever to be elected as Mayor of Calgary.
Following a turbulent first term in office, Jyoti Gondek, 55, on Nov. 29 announced her decision to run for a second term, while also acknowledging some of the turbulence. “Like anyone in a new job, I have experienced challenges and there were things I needed to learn,” she said in an email.
“I have learned many lessons, and I am prepared to tackle the important work that needs to be done, including improving communication between City Hall and Calgarians, supporting those who need it most, cutting unnecessary red tape, and empowering business owners to do what they do best—drive innovation and strengthen our economy.”
Born in the UK, Gondek is the daughter of Jasdev Singh Grewal, a lawyer, and Surjit Kaur Grewal. She immigrated to Canada with her parents at the age of four. The family made Winnipeg in Manitoba its first home in the country. Growing up in the prairies, she embraced Canadian culture while retaining her Punjabi heritage, facing challenges as one of the few visible minority families in town.
Jyoti completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba before moving to Alberta with her husband Todd in 1996. Her career included roles at Credit Union Central and Greyhound Canada, where she honed her skills in community engagement and leadership. The loss of her father, a significant influence in her life, further fuelled her dedication to public service.
In 2017, Jyoti was elected Ward 3 Councillor in Calgary, and in 2021, she became the Mayor.
Jyoti’s educational background includes a Ph.D. in urban sociology and significant contributions to the real estate sector. Her leadership and community-focused approach have earned her the Blackfoot name Nattoyipittakii, meaning holy eagle woman, symbolizing her guiding presence and resilience. Jyoti lives in North Central Calgary with her multigenerational family.
Other Punjabi Mayors
Incidentally, the Mayor of another important town, Edmonton, is Amarjeet Sohi, who also happens to be the first person of Punjabi descent to be elected the first citizen of Edmonton. Sohi remained a Liberal MP and Cabinet Minister in the Justin Trudeau Government before moving back to Edmonton.
Like Gondek, he was elected to the top city position in October 2021. Alberta is the only province in Canada that has two Punjabi Mayors.
Naranjan Singh Grewal was the first person of Punjabi descent to succeed in civic elections in Canada. He was elected to Mission Council in British Columbia in 1950 and later became the Mayor of Mission City.
Like Jyoti and Amarjeet Sohi, Naranjan also has his roots in Punjab.
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