Racial slurs hurled at family while visiting popular Ontario tourist town, Brampton politician says

Warning: This story includes depictions of racial slurs and may be offensive to some readers.

Brampton politician Hardeep Grewal says he and his family were the target of racial slurs and threats while visiting a popular Ontario tourist town.

Hardeep Grewal, the MPP for Brampton East, said on Monday he was in Muskoka with his family when “two strangers decided to share their hate.”

The two-time Brampton MPP said over social media that the family was out for ice cream when a passerby in a vehicle yelled “hey turban head, go home” before speeding off.

Another person walking by also said “you all should die,” he said in a post online.

It is not the first time this has happened, but today I feel compelled to speak out about how exhausting and painful it is.

Today in downtown Muskoka, while sharing ice cream with my family, two strangers decided to share their hate instead.

One yelled, “Hey turban head, go…

— Hardeep Grewal (@hardeepgrewal_) October 6, 2025

And while Grewal says that it wasn’t the first time he has been the target of “exhausting and painful” slurs, he felt compelled to speak out about the incidents.

“In that moment, I was reminded that the fight against hate is far from over. But our strength is louder,” he said in a post on X. “Ontario is our home. It belongs to all of us.”

INsauga.com has reached out to the OPP to confirm whether the incidents were reported, and to Grewal for comment. No responses were immediately received.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also spoke about the alleged incidents, saying Grewal “works hard for Brampton and as an MPP at Queens Park” and called his family “a Canadian success story.”

“It’s shameful he has had to endure this type of bigotry and hate,” Brown said in a post on social media. (Grewal) loves Canada as much as anyone else. Bigots don’t reflect the Canada I know and love.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also commented on the incident, saying the province “is built on the kind of respect, diversity and inclusion that make our communities stronger.”

“Hardeep is a dedicated public servant and a valued member of our party and caucus. I’m extremely disappointed he had to experience this hateful language,” Ford said.

Grewal shared a message with other Sikhs in Ontario, saying to “stay vigilant, stay proud, and stay strong.”

“Hate never wins. Good will always triumph,” he said.

Grewal was first elected in Brampton East in the 2022 provincial election, and again won the seat in the 2025 snap election.