Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, April 28: The Tibetan community in Toronto and prominent Tibetan artists and activists from across North America have united in support of Bhutila Karpoche, the Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Taiaiako’n—Parkdale–High Park in today’s Canadian federal election and become a Member of Canada’s highest legislative body.
Karpoche, who currently serves as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Parkdale–High Park in Toronto, is seeking to make history once again as she campaigns to become a Member of Parliament. In 2018, she became the first person of Tibetan origin to be elected to public office in North America when she won her seat in the Ontario Legislative Assembly.
Several influential figures in the Tibetan diaspora community have endorsed Karpoche and are encouraging Tibetans in Toronto to vote and volunteer for her campaign. The supporters include Loten Namling, a Tibetan singer, musical artist, entertainer, and cartoonist; Tenzin Kunsel, a USA-based Tibetan singer; Jigme Ugen, the first Tibetan refugee to be elected as a US labor union leader and a prominent activist; Shennpenn Khymsar, a Tibetan filmmaker and director; and Sonam Wangdue, a Tibetan comedian and actor.
“Representation matters. When Tibet is silenced on the world stage, Bhutila has used her leverage to highlight Tibet where policy and awareness matters,” said Jigme Ugen. “Her political career defies China’s suppression of Tibetan identity and sends a strong signal that Tibetan voices can and will shape global politics. This is resistance in its purest form.”
Parkdale–High Park is home to one of the largest concentrations of Tibetans in Canada, and Karpoche has been a steadfast advocate for her community. During her first term as MPP, she proposed a bill to designate July as Tibetan Heritage Month, which became law in Ontario in September 2020. She also founded the Ontario Parliament’s Friends of Tibet initiative in 2019 and hosts Tibet Day events to foster connections between community members and politicians. Additionally, Karpoche has developed internship programs specifically designed to cultivate political leadership skills among Tibetan youth.
Re-elected as MPP in 2022, Karpoche currently serves as the First Deputy Chair of the Ontario Legislative Assembly. She has been recognized for her advocacy on affordable housing, workers’ rights, and public healthcare, earning accolades including Toronto’s Best MPP by NOW Magazine readers and being named one of Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants by Canadian Immigrant Magazine.
Holding degrees from the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto, Karpoche is currently pursuing a PhD in public health policy at Toronto Metropolitan University.
