Bob Saroya

Babar "Bob" Saroya MP (born February 3, 1952) is a former Canadian politician, who was elected to represent the riding of Markham—Unionville in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 Canadian federal election.[1] During the 42nd Canadian Parliament he has been a member of the Conservative Party official opposition and sponsored one private member bill, C-338, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (punishment), which would have increased mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of importing controlled drugs and substances. The bill was debated at second reading but defeated by the Liberals; only members from the Conservative Party voted in favour.

Bob Saroya
MP
Member of Parliament
for Markham—Unionville
In office
October 19, 2015 – September 20, 2021
Preceded byJohn McCallum
Succeeded byPaul Chiang
Personal details
Born (1952-02-03) February 3, 1952
Punjab, India
Political partyConservative
ResidenceMarkham, Ontario

His election in 2015 was unique, Markham—Unionville was originally held by John McCallum who Saroya came close to upsetting in 2011. After re-distribution, McCallum chose to run in the neighbouring riding of Markham—Thornhill. Saroya's election was considered to be an anomaly because he was the only candidate in Canada to pick up a seat from the Liberals.

Saroya was re-elected in the 2019 Canadian federal election.[2] During the ensuing 43rd Canadian Parliament he introduced one private member bill, Bill C-238, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (possession of unlawfully imported firearms) which sought to increase the minimum mandatory sentence from one year to five years imprisonment for the offense of possession of a firearm known to be illegally imported to Canada. It was brought to a vote on January 27, 2021, but defeated with NDP and Liberal Party members voting in against.[3][4] In the 2020 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election he endorsed Peter MacKay.[5]

Saroya immigrated to Canada from India in 1974. He eventually went on to own several restaurants and became a sales director with Pizza Pizza before first running for office in 2008.[6]

Electoral record
2021 Canadian federal election: Markham—Unionville
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalPaul Chiang21,95848.6+10.24$110,433.44
ConservativeBob Saroya18,95941.9-7.04$99,523.48
New DemocraticAftab Qureshi3,0016.6—$7,138.72
GreenElvin Kao1,3062.9-1.56$3,056.16
Total valid votes/Expense limit 45,224––$116,665.09
Total rejected ballots 452
Turnout 45,67652.0-8.9
Eligible voters 87,781
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +8.64
Source: Elections Canada[7]
2019 Canadian federal election: Markham—Unionville
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeBob Saroya26,13348.94-0.43$105,729.16
LiberalAlan Ho20,48438.36-4.97$111,317.79
New DemocraticGregory Hines3,5246.60+1.53none listed
GreenElvin Kao2,3944.48+2.25$5,836.95
People'sSarah Chung8611.61–none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 53,396100.0–
Total rejected ballots 5230.97–
Turnout 53,91960.90+0.22
Eligible voters 88,538
Conservative hold Swing +2.27
Source: Elections Canada[8][9]
2015 Canadian federal election: Markham—Unionville
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeBob Saroya24,60549.37+3.54$148,191.54
LiberalBang-Gu Jiang21,59643.33+9.64$105,134.99
New DemocraticColleen Zimmerman2,5285.07-11.45$3,111.82
GreenElvin Kao1,1102.23-0.77$4,322.49
Total valid votes/Expense limit 49,839100.00 $218,774.36
Total rejected ballots 2460.49
Turnout 50,08560.68
Eligible voters 82,534
Conservative notional hold Swing -3.05
Source: Elections Canada[10][11]
2011 Canadian federal election: Markham—Unionville
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalJohn McCallum19,42938.9-16.0
ConservativeBob Saroya17,73435.5+5.3
New DemocraticNadine Hawkins10,89721.8+11.6
GreenAdam Poon1,5973.2-1.0
LibertarianAllen Small2310.5–
Total valid votes 49,888100.0
Total rejected ballots 290 0.6–
Turnout 50,178 55.1 +2.8
Eligible voters 91,057 ––
2008 Canadian federal election: Etobicoke North
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalKirsty Duncan15,24448.6-13.0$54,827
ConservativeBob Saroya9,43630.1+7.8$64,024
New DemocraticAli Naqvi4,94015.7+5.1$35,653
GreenNigel Barriffe1,4604.7+2.1$2,242
Marxist–LeninistAnna Di Carlo3001.0+0.4
Total valid votes/expense limit 31,380 100.0$79,011
Total rejected ballots 2140.68
Turnout 31,594

References
  1. "Conservative candidate Bob Saroya wins in Markham-Unionville". Toronto Star. October 20, 2015.
  2. Miller, Jason (October 21, 2019). "Conservative MP Bob Saroya re-elected in Markham-Unionville". The Star. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  3. Forbes, Ryan (February 4, 2021). "Melillo disappointed after gun smuggling bill shot down". Kenora Online.
  4. "Bill C-238 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (possession of unlawfully imported firearms)". Parliament of Canada. February 27, 2020.
  5. MP, Bob Saroya (January 27, 2020). "I am proud to be supporting my friend The Hon. @PeterMacKay".
  6. A look at the rookie MPs joining the ranks of Conservative, NDP benches Archived November 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "September 20, 2021 General Election Results: Markham—Unionville". Elections Canada. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  8. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  9. "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  10. Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Markham—Unionville, 30 September 2015
  11. Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
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