Respected Former Judge Wally Oppal And Businessman Peter Dhillon Call The Announcement Historic For The South Asian Community!

Premier John Horgan announced that Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Raj Chouhan’s name will be put forward on Monday as the party's choice for Speaker when the legislature resumes sitting. Chouhan, who is likely to be chosen Speaker given the NDP's majority in the House, was the legislature's assistant deputy Speaker before the election. If elected, Chouhan will be the Indo-Canadian to be chosen Speaker outside India and in North America.

By R. Paul Dhillon

VICTORIA – It’s time for BC to make history and choose an Indo-Canadian veteran MLA as Speaker of the House in Victoria.

The New Democrats have already said they will nominate Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Raj Chouhan, a longtime member of the B.C. legislature, to serve as Speaker.

Premier John Horgan announced that Chouhan’s name will be put forward on Monday as the party's choice for Speaker when the legislature resumes sitting. He was first elected in 2005.

Before entering politics, Chouhan was the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers' Union and was the director of bargaining for the Hospital Employees Union for 18 years.

If he is elected by legislature members to serve as Speaker, Chouhan will replace Darryl Plecas, who did not run in October's provincial election.

Chouhan, who is likely to be chosen Speaker given the NDP's majority in the House, was the legislature's assistant deputy Speaker before the election. Chouhan will be the first Indo-Canadian to be chosen Speaker outside India.

Respected former Supreme Court Justice and Minister Wallace “Taru” Wally Oppal called the announcement “historic” for the community  that Chouhan will become the Speaker of the BC Legislature and the first one of South Asian heritage ever across Canada to be in that position. He said in fact Raj could be the first Speaker of South Asian heritage in the Western Hemisphere.

“I have known Raj a long time, and he is a person of the utmost integrity and he has dedicated his life to being a champion for social justice and never looked for any accolades ever. He has just genuinely cared to make a difference, so it is very deserving that Raj will be the first Speaker from the community,” Oppal told DESIBUZZCanada.

“As we are seeing in the United States, with President Elect Joe Biden and his appointments, this nomination is also a testament to Premier John Horgan and his understanding the reflection of who we are as a Province needs to be reflected in the diversity of the leadership in the legislature.”

Well known BC businessman Peter Dhillon, OBC, the head of the Richberry Group, echoed Oppal’s words, calling it a great achievement for the community.

“This tells you so much about Canada, how a person can immigrate here with nothing and work hard and one day can become the Speaker of the Legislature,” Dhillon told DESIBUZZCanada. “What Raj Chouhan has achieved in his life is incredible and a testament to our society. I know Raj will proudly represent all communities in his duties and I look forward to him inspiring a new generation.”   

Chouhan is not someone from the establishment and in fact, he immigrated to Canada for a better life much like the farmers who are currently fighting for their rights in India.