About Deepak
Deepak Obhrai was born in Tanzania and attended school in three separate continents: in Tanzania, India and the United Kingdom. He graduated as an Air Traffic Controller in the UK and worked at several airports in East Africa. After immigrating to Canada in 1977, Deepak worked in the accounting department for the City of Calgary before becoming self-employed. He and his wife Neena became owners of a chain of dry-cleaning stores and also formed a company to explore joint venture opportunities in overseas markets.
In Canada, Deepak became heavily involved in his community, acting as President of the India – Canada Association, Monterey Community Association and the Hindu Society of Calgary. He was also Vice-President of the National Indo-Canadian Council.
In 1977, Deepak was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Calgary East from the Reform Party. Subsequently he played key roles in the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance, the Progressive Conservative Party and in the making of the new Conservative Party of Canada, during which time he was a strong supporter of Stephen Harper’s leadership campaign. Deepak was re-elected to Parliament in 2000, 2004 and 2006; successively receiving a larger percentage of the popular vote.
With the Conservative Party winning the last general election in January 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Deepak as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In March 2008, Deepak was vested with the additional responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation.
In this current Parliament, Deepak remains a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. He is also a member of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. In April 2008, Deepak was appointed to the important new House Special Committee on Afghanistan.
Deepak was the founder president of the Canada-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, which today enjoys a large membership of MPs and Senators from all political parties. Through this group, Deepak initiated many activities leading to further strengthening of Canada’s relations with India. For the past eight years, Deepak has also hosted the annual Diwali celebration on Parliament Hill, which has today blossomed into Canada’s national Diwali celebration.
In addition, Deepak is a member of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, the Canada-Japan Interparliamentary Group, Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group and the Canada-United Kingdom Interparliamentary Association.
Closer to home, In 2006, in recognition of his contributions to the Indo-Canadian community and the positive role he has played over the past 25 years in strengthening ties between Canada and South Asia, Deepak was honoured with two awards; one from the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce Ottawa Business Council and one from the National Indo-Canadian Council. In December 2006, Deepak's former school, Daly College in Indore, India, awarded him the prestigious Padma Shri RN Zutshi Medal for outstanding achievement by an Old Dalian
Deepak Obhrai and his wife, Neena, have two daughters: Priti and Kaajal, a son: Aman, son-in-law: Robin Martin and a grand-son: Davin Jacob.
