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Raj Pannu of Alberta is the oldest MLA in Canada!

Biography

Professor in Educational Policy Studies and Sociology at the University of Alberta for 27 years.

* First elected as MLA for Edmonton Strathcona in 1997.

* Served as leader of the Alberta NDP from 2000 to 2004.

* Led the fight against the government's plans to establish private, for-profit hospitals in 2000.

* Served in the Legislature as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Special Standing Committee on Members' Services, as well as Standing Committees on Private Bills, and Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

* Member of an all-party committee that held public consultations across the province to review the justice system in 1998.

* Served on the Health Information Act Review Committee in 2004. Issued a minority report to address concerns about outsourcing of Albertans' medical information to U.S.-based companies.

* Critic portfolios include Learning, Seniors and Housing, Justice, Environment, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Children's Services and Women's Equality.

* Taught high school in Whitecourt, 1962 to 1965.

* A resident and active member of the Strathcona area of Edmonton for over 30 years.

* Served as a member of the Fort Edmonton Park Management Committee and, in 1996, worked with Citizens for Quality Communities in Edmonton.

* Married to Swinder. They have one adult daughter.

* Named one of Alberta's 50 Most Influential People by Alberta Venture magazine in 2001 and 2004.

"(Raj) has restored the New Democrats as the chief tormentor for Alberta's Tories."
Alberta Venture, July 2004

"Pannu's grasp of policy and his refusal to resort to cheap shots or cynicism gave credibility to the party far beyond its tiny numbers. His personal style - to attack substance, not personality - helped raise the level of public debate on many issues during the later years of the government."


Vital Stats


Full Name: Raj Pannu
Age: 70
Birth Sign: Capricorn
Profession: M.L.A. and Retired University Professor
City & Country of birth: India
Family/Children: Married to Swinder for nearly 45 happy years We have one daughter, Savi who has recently married.
Languages you speak: English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu.
Hockey or Football? Hockey
Best place to eat (in your city): Upper Crust
Last book you read: Gore Vidal's Empire
Movie you have seen at least 3 times: Fiddler on the Roof
Word you wish you could use more often: No.
First job: House painter
Favourite Author(s): Pierre Burton and Margaret Atwood
First car: 1962 Corvair
What are you terrible at cooking? I make a great cheesecake, but despite my wife's best efforts to teach me, I can't get much else right.

 

 

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