Raj Chouhan, Burnaby MLA, re-elected Speaker of the B.C. Legislature. A lifelong advocate for labour and human rights, he continues his sixth term in office.
Longtime MLA Raj Chouhan Returns as Speaker of the House
Where and When It Happened
Raj Chouhan, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Burnaby-New Westminster, was re-elected as Speaker of the B.C. Legislative Assembly in 2024. His reappointment came during the first session of the 43rd Parliament, held in Victoria, British Columbia, at the historic Parliament Buildings.
What the Role Entails
As Speaker, Chouhan presides over debates in the B.C. Legislature, ensuring that proceedings are conducted fairly and in accordance with parliamentary rules. The Speaker also represents the Legislature in its dealings with the Crown and is considered a key symbol of impartiality in the democratic process.
Who Raj Chouhan Is
Raj Chouhan has represented the Burnaby area since 2005, initially elected for Burnaby-Edmonds and now serving Burnaby-New Westminster. A member of the BC NDP, Chouhan has built a decades-long career focused on labour rights, human rights, and community development. He is also the first South Asian to hold the Speaker role in B.C. history.
Why It Matters
Chouhan’s re-election as Speaker underscores his peers’ confidence in his fairness, experience, and leadership. It also highlights the continued rise of immigrant and minority voices in Canadian politics—Chouhan immigrated to Canada from India in 1973 and began his activism through the Canadian Farmworkers’ Union, which he helped found.
How He Built His Legacy
Over the years, Chouhan served as Official Opposition Spokesperson for labour, human rights, and multiculturalism. He was also a key figure in the Hospital Employees’ Union and served on B.C.’s Labour Relations Board. Beyond politics, he has been a vocal opponent of racism and a teacher of human rights and collective bargaining since the 1980s.
Looking Ahead
Now serving his sixth term, Chouhan remains committed to empowering communities and promoting equity in B.C. His office continues to operate out of both the Parliament Buildings in Victoria and his constituency office on Rumble Street in Burnaby.
This article is original and written specifically for SurreySpeak.com
