Chandra Pasma

Chandra Pasma (born September 7, 1979) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2022 provincial election. She represents the district of Ottawa West—Nepean as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party.

Background

Before her election as MPP for Ottawa West—Nepean, Pasma worked as a public policy researcher for the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Her published research included an investigation into state of paramedic services in Ontario, and the rising use of contract labour in Canadian universities.

She also previously served as an advisor to the federal New Democratic Party.[citation needed]

Pasma has also worked for Citizens for Public Justice, and prior to that worked for Conservative MP Dave MacKenzie until 2006.

Political career

Pasma first ran for political office in the 2018 Ontario election in Ottawa West—Nepean. Although she was narrowly defeated by Jeremy Roberts, it was then the ONDP's strongest result in the constituency.

In the 2022 election, Pasma and Roberts would have a rematch of their 2018 contest. This time, she was elected with 15,696 votes (37.54%), marking the first time the Ontario NDP had won the constituency. Pasma was also the only candidate in Ontario who defeated an incumbent conservative in what was otherwise a successful election for the ruling Progressive Conservative Party. Her campaign emphasized access to healthcare and housing affordability.

In September 2022, Pasma criticized the government for providing insufficient income support to the disabled. That month she published an op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen as part of her campaign to increase the Ontario Disability Support Program.

On July 13, 2022 Pasma was named as the Official Opposition critic for poverty and homelessness reduction by interim ONDP leader Peter Tabuns. She was later made education critic after Marit Stiles resigned to run for the 2023 Ontario New Democratic Party leadership election. In this role, Pasma has criticized the Progressive Conservative government for underfunding education as well as for poor air and water quality in school buildings. In October 2023, she co-sponsored Bill 140, which aimed to improve air quality in daycares and schools. She has also advocated for resources to address growing violence in schools.

On November 23, 2022 Pasma put forward a private member's bill, Protecting Human Rights in an Emergency Act which would require apartment buildings to possess emergency generators capable of powering water pumps and elevators. The bill was prompted by the impacts of the May 2022 Canadian derecho in Ottawa; which left many apartment residents without water for over ten days, and trapped residents with mobility issues. The bill was defeated on second reading by a vote of 30-66; being opposed by the majority Progressive Conservative government.

In the 2023 Ontario New Democratic Party leadership election Pasma endorsed Marit Stiles in her successful bid for leadership of the party; replacing outgoing leader Andrea Horwath.

On December 4, 2023, Pasma was among 333 Canadians permanently banned from entering the Russian Federation. This was as a consequence of Pasma's support of Canadian sanctions against Russia, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Electoral record