Nepali-origin Geeta Dhakal’s candidacy for Brampton City Councilor in Canada

TORONTO:- Gita Dawadi Dhakal, who is of Nepali origin, has filed her candidacy for the position of City Councillor in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. She is set to compete for a seat on the City Council representing Wards 3 and 4.

Dhakal has made transparency in property tax, development of basic infrastructure, public safety, women’s empowerment, and addressing the concerns of senior citizens and the youth the core of her election agenda. Her goal is to represent the needs and interests of local residents within the municipal council and contribute to building a safe, well-organized, and inclusive community.

Born in Gorkha District, Dhakal moved to Canada with her family on May 21, 2011. Since then, she has resided in Brampton, where she has been involved in education, childcare, real estate, and social service. Having consistently supported new immigrants, women, and families within the Nepali community, she has now begun efforts to address community issues through local politics.

Dhakal was born in Simsung VDC-4, Gorkha. Raised in a family of teachers, she completed her school-level education at Himalaya Secondary School. Subsequently, she pursued an I.Ed. (Intermediate in Education) at Gorkha Campus, majoring in English and Nepali, and went on to complete her bachelor’s degree while balancing marriage and family responsibilities.

After completing her studies, she entered the teaching profession and taught at various schools in Gorkha. She taught English at Janakalyan Secondary School for about six to seven years before moving to Kathmandu—via Chitwan—along with her family. She mentioned that after also teaching at a private school in Kathmandu, she decided to move to Canada, keeping in mind her family’s future and her children’s education.

After arriving in Canada, she completed a program in child care assistance and obtained the necessary certification. She then operated a home-based day care. Following about three years of running this service, she gained further experience by working at other day care centers.

Later, she obtained a real estate license and entered the property business; she notes that she has been active in this field for the past two to three years. She mentions that her experience in teaching, child care, and real estate has helped her understand the needs and financial challenges faced by local families.

Dhakal became active in social work with the aim of ensuring that other immigrants would not have to face the same difficulties she encountered while starting a new life in Canada. She stated that she has been assisting new immigrants arriving in Canada from Nepal by helping them find employment, learn about government services and facilities, and obtain necessary guidance.

Dhakal, who established and led an organization for the women’s community with the aim of supporting Nepali women and new immigrants, has been organizing events such as those for Women’s Day, Dashain, and Tihar. She states that through such activities, the goal is not only to increase women’s social participation but also to connect the new generation with the Nepali language, culture, and traditions.

She is also associated with the Peel Regional Police as a Community Ambassador. Having served in this role for about three years, Dhakal noted that she has contributed to fostering relationships and collaboration between the police and the community.

She has expressed a desire to leverage her experience—gained from working with local elected representatives and relevant authorities to address community issues—within the City Council.

In her election campaign, Dhakal has prioritized transparency regarding property taxes and an assessment of the potential to reduce the tax burden. She maintains that citizens should have clear information on where and how the revenue collected by the municipality through taxes is spent. She plans to initiate a review of the municipal budget and expenditures to ensure the effective use of funds in public services and to explore ways to alleviate the burden on taxpayers.

She has also prioritized the timely completion of basic infrastructure projects, such as roads, street lighting, water supply, and sewage systems. She is committed to enhancing the effectiveness of development and construction initiatives by collaborating with the City Council, the Mayor’s team, and relevant authorities. Furthermore, she emphasizes the need to strengthen cooperation among the police, municipal administration, and the local community to address concerns regarding vehicle theft and public safety in Brampton.

Her agenda also encompasses crime reduction, raising public awareness, and fostering a safe public environment. She has emphasized the need to address the requirements of women, senior citizens, children, and youth, while also ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in public services.

Stating that she has received support and goodwill from the Nepali community, Dhakal has expressed her desire to leverage her experience in social service through a role in local leadership.