Harjit Sajjan
Harjit Singh Sajjan is a Canadian former politician, military officer, and police officer.
Harjit Singh Sajjan is a Canadian former politician, military officer, and police officer. A Liberal, he served as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver South from 2015 to 2025 and held several federal cabinet posts, including Minister of National Defence. Before politics, he worked for the Vancouver Police Department and served as a lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Army reserve.
Early life and background
Sajjan was born in 1970 and is identified in sources as a Canadian politician of Sikh background. Sources also indicate that he moved to Canada as a child and grew up in Vancouver.
Military and police career
Before entering elected office, Sajjan served in the Canadian Army reserve and worked as a detective with the Vancouver Police Department. CBC and government sources note his deployments and his service with the VPD gang crime unit.
Federal political career
Sajjan was elected to the House of Commons in 2015 as the Liberal MP for Vancouver South. He later held multiple cabinet portfolios in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government before leaving Parliament in 2025.
Public profile and recognition
Sajjan became one of the most prominent Sikh politicians in Canada. Media and government profiles often highlighted his combined experience in policing, military service, and national security policy.
Key facts
- Born in 1970, Sajjan became known for combining careers in law enforcement, military service, and politics.
- He was elected MP for Vancouver South in the 2015 federal election.
- He served as Minister of National Defence in the Trudeau government from 2015 to 2021.
- He later served as Minister of International Development from 2021 to 2023.
- From 2023 to 2025, he served as Minister of Emergency Preparedness and President of the Privy Council.
Sajjan is significant to Canadian political history as a senior federal minister, a Vancouver MP, and a high-profile Sikh Canadian public figure with prior service in the military and policing.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Harjit Sajjan?
Which riding did Harjit Sajjan represent?
What cabinet positions did he hold?
What was Harjit Sajjan's career before politics?
Is Harjit Sajjan still an MP?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harjit_SajjanSupports: Birth date, political affiliation, MP for Vancouver South, and cabinet positions.
- House of Commons of Canada — https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/89497Supports: Confirms he was the MP for Vancouver South and is no longer a member of Parliament.
- House of Commons of Canada — https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/harjit-s-sajjan(89497)/rolesSupports: Roles and parliamentary status.
- CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/harjit-sajjan-badass-canada-defence-minister-1.3304931Supports: Military service, police career, and appointment as defence minister.
- CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7438345Supports: Report that he was not seeking re-election and was serving in cabinet in 2024.
- Government of Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/campaigns/peacekeeping-defence-ministerial/video-harjit-s-sajjan.htmlSupports: Confirms his background as a Vancouver police detective, military reservist, MP, and defence minister.