Lord, we lift MLA Raj Chouhan up in prayer as he serves the Burnaby-Edmond residents. May you, Lord Jesus, continue to give him a discerning spirit as goes about his duties. Provide him with renewed sense of passion for the things that You called him into the Legislature to accomplish. May he also receive renewed commitment and encouragement from those he is in close contact with. Give him rest when needed and patience where needed. May Your blessings be upon him and his family. we ask these things in Your name! Amen.
Raj Chouhan was first elected as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds in May 2005. He was then re-elected in May 2009 and again in May 2013.
Raj serves as Assistant Deputy Speaker. Previously he has served as Opposition Critic for Labour, Human Rights, Multiculturalism and Immigration.
Raj immigrated to Canada in 1973. As a student in India, he was actively involved in student union activities. Upon his arrival in Canada, Raj was greatly impacted by the plight of other immigrant workers and the wide disparity between the rich and poor in a prosperous country. This contributed to his ongoing advocacy for community and social justice for workers.
Raj is the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers’ Union and served as the director of bargaining for the Hospital Employees Union for 18 years, and as a member of the Labour Relations Board and the Arbitration Bureau.
A founding member of the B.C. Organization to Fight Racism, Raj has worked relentlessly in promoting human rights and racial equality. He has served as the vice-president of B.C. Human Rights Defenders since 2003. Raj has taught courses on human rights, the B.C. Labour Code and collective bargaining since 1987. He has also travelled across Canada to give seminars and attend conferences that raise the awareness of issues such as racism, poverty, worker rights and discrimination.
Raj continues to support organizations in his community and has helped to promote diverse programs including neighbourhood safety, refugee assistance and health and wellness programs for seniors.