Chouhan first South Asian to serve as Speaker
Burnaby-Edmonds NDP MLA Raj Chouhan has become the first politician of South Asian descent to serve as Speaker of the B.C. legislature.
Chouhan was acclaimed by MLAs as Speaker on Monday, at the beginning of the first session of the legislature since Premier John Horgan won re-election in October.
Party leaders took a moment to note the historic significance of Chouhan's appointment.
Chouhan's family immigrated from India to Canada in 1973, and he worked on B.C. farms before helping to organize the Canadian Farmworkers' Union.
“To have you now sit in that chair, coming from the fields and now sitting overseeing the commons for all British Columbians is truly extraordinary,” said Horgan.
“I think it's important we pause and reflect on the historic moment we have here today. The first Sikh, the first Punjabi-speaking Speaker of the legislature outside the subcontinent is you.”
Horgan said Chouhan “will smash the ceiling” for others.
Interim Opposition Liberal Leader Shirley Bond said Chouhan's journey demonstrates the possibility of dreaming big.
“This chamber needs to reflect the faces of all British Columbians, and I think today, Mr. Speaker, we have taken a major step in that direction,” she said.
Chouhan called it a “great privilege and honour” to take the job.
“I'm humbled to have your support and trust,” he said. “To get here has been a long journey. I never ever thought one day I'd be in this position when I immigrated to Canada in 1973.”
At that time, he said “bigotry and racism was the norm of the day.”
“There was a time when people of colour were not even allowed to enter this building, let alone this chamber,” said Chouhan. “But our forefathers never gave up, they continued their struggle for justice and equality.”
The Speaker serves as a referee for debate in the legislature, and also presides over the legislative building's functions, including security, Hansard and the library.
Chouhan replaces Darryl Plecas, who did not run for re-election in October. Plecas alleged corruption inside the building during his tenure, and took allegations against the former clerk and sergeant-atarms to the RCMP. Special prosecutors overseeing that probe have refused to comment on the status of the investigation, which is now more than two years old.