The sudden demise of former Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Patty Sahota has sent shock waves in the community and among her colleagues.
Sahota, 54, passed suddenly on February 12, 2024, according to media reports. Her unexpected death prompted an outpouring of grief and remembrance for her contributions as a community advocate and political figure.
Kevin Falcon, leader of BC United said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Sahota’s death. “I enjoyed serving with Patty while she proudly represented Burnaby in the BC Legislature from 2001 to 2005,” Falcon said in a post on X/Twitter. “I will miss her sunny optimism and perpetual smile. My thoughts are with her family and friends in this difficult time.”
MP Randeep Sarai while sharing an old picture with late Patty Sahota, said, “Deeply saddened by the sudden death of Patty Sahota. I first got to know Patty when she represented Burnaby Edmonds. A community advocate, she left a lasting mark in BC’s political and business sphere. Her family is in my thoughts during this time, and she will be missed greatly.”
Janet Austin, OBC Lieutenant Governor, in her Throne Speech said, “We mourn Gordon Gibson Jr. and Patty Sahota, who once served in this legislature, as we do former members of Parliament Stephen Owen and Pat Carney.”
Sahota was born on October 26, 1969, in the village of Jagpalpur, Punjab (India), and grew up in Merritt. After high school, Patty attended Cariboo College (now Thompson Rivers University) in Kamloops. It was there that she became active in the British Columbia Liberal Party.
She transferred to the University of Victoria and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Patty then worked in various sectors of the forest industry before being elected to the BC Legislature in her early 30s. She served as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds from 2001-2005, and was also appointed Minister of State for Resort Development. Patty was recognized as a trailblazer for women in politics.
She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the 2001 provincial general election for the constituency of Burnaby-Edmonds.
Sahota was appointed Minister of State for Resort Development on Feb.1, 2005.
Sahota was instrumental in bringing the 2009 World Police and Fire Games to Burnaby, and had served as a member of the MLA Task Force on the Results-Based Forest Practices Code.
Patty is survived by her father Ajit Singh Sahota and mother Harbhajan Kaur Sahota, as well as her sisters Nunden (Parm), Navy, and Neelam. She will also be deeply missed by her nieces Jasmin and Marissa, her nephew Jessy (Bhavan), and her many cousins. Patty is predeceased by her brother-in-law Ross Yoneda and her nephew Joshua Yoneda.
A funeral service will be held on February 24, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Five Rivers (Riverside) Funeral Home, 7410 Hopcott Road, Delta, BC. It will be followed by a Sikh service at Ross Street Gurdwara, 8000 Ross Street, Vancouver, BC.
