VICTORIA, BC – Veteran New Democrat MLA Jagrup Brar, who has served Surrey community for more than 15 years, has been acclaimed as the new chair of the BC New Democrat Government Caucus. Brar is Government Caucus Chair, and the Chair of the Special Committee to Review Provisions of the Elections Act.
Brar, was first elected as an MLA in Surrey in 2004, and served until 2013. He was elected again as the MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood in 2017 and 2020.
“I am honoured to play a leadership role in a caucus, under Premier John Horgan, that reflects the diversity of our beautiful province and works hard every day to make life better for all people,” said Brar.
“As we are still dealing with the impact of COVID-19, we are working to ensure that you and your family are at the centre of our pandemic recovery,” he said.
Previously, Brar served as the Official Opposition Spokesperson for Small Business, Healthy Living and Sport, Employment and Income Assistance, as well Solicitor General and Public Safety.
Born in India, Brar was a member of the Indian National Basketball team and earned a master’s degree in Philosophy. He then moved to Canada to study Public Administration and received a MPA.
For over a decade, he worked in the public and non-profit sectors. As the Executive Director of the Surrey Self Employment and Entrepreneur Development Society (SEEDS), he trained new entrepreneurs to develop and launch successful small business ventures.
Brar has been active in the Surrey community for years. He is a dedicated local volunteer and has worked with a variety of local organizations providing services to young people, seniors, the homeless, and new Canadians. Brar is an advocate for the most vulnerable and has undertaken the Welfare Challenge to tell a story about living in poverty in British Columbia.
Brar replaces Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D’Eithwho served as the chair in 2021, did not run for the position again, and is focusing on his role as MLA, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film, and as a member of British Columbia’s Treasury Board.
“I would like to thank MLA Bob D’Eith for doing an excellent job as the BC New Democrat Government Caucus Chair in 2021.”
Other caucus executive members remain unchanged and include:
- John Horgan (Langford-Juan De Fuca), Premier
- Niki Sharma (Vancouver-Hastings), Deputy Caucus Chair
- Mike Farnworth (Port Coquitlam), House Leader
- Lisa Beare (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows), Deputy House Leader
- Garry Begg (Surrey-Guildford), Government Whip
- Michele Babchuk (North Island), Deputy Government Whip
- Aman Singh (Richmond-Queensborough), Caucus Committee Chair
- Pam Alexis (Abbotsford-Mission), Caucus Committee Chair
The BC NDP 2021 Caucusalready boasts of diversity and has many firsts under its belt be it having first MLA from a Hindu background or highest number of South Asian MLAs ever in a caucus in BC.
The media release listed following facts about BC NDP Caucus Nov 2021:
- First turban-wearing Sikh MLA (Aman Singh)
- First MLA from a Hindu background (Niki Sharma)
- Highest number of South Asian MLAs ever in a caucus in BC (9)
- Highest number of IBPOC MLAs ever in a caucus in BC (16)
- First majority-women caucus with official party status in BC (29 women)
- First majority-women governing caucus in Canadian history
- Largest BC NDP caucus in history
- First BC NDP MLA elected to represent an Abbotsford constituency
- First BC NDP MLA elected to represent a Langley constituency
- First woman from any party to represent an Abbotsford constituency
(The complete list and facts are available in the following link: https://bcndpcaucus.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/BC-NDP-Caucus-Quick-Facts-For-Release.pdf)
