13 Facts About Harry Lali

Harbhajan Singh "Harry" Lali was born on August 10,1955 and is a former MLA in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Harry Lali served one term as City Councillor in Merritt starting in 1988, and was an employment counsellor for the Merritt Outreach Program from 1986 until 1991.

Harry Lali is a member of BC United and former member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party and the longest serving South Asian Member of a Legislative Assembly in Canadian history, surpassing his former colleague Moe Sihota in June 2010.

Harry Lali served as the Minister of Transportation and Highways from 1998 to 2001 under three different Premiers.

Harry Lali returned to the Assembly by winning his riding in the 2005 election ahead of BC Liberal Party candidate Lloyd Forman and Green Party candidate Michael McLean.

Harry Lali ran again elected in the newly created riding of Fraser-Nicola in the 2009 election and was re-elected over BC Liberal Party candidate Ella Brown.

On January 7,2011, Harry Lali announced he would be a candidate in the subsequent leadership election.

Less than a month later, Harry Lali dropped out of the race, saying that he was unable to come up with the funds necessary to mount a credible campaign.

Harry Lali blamed his defeat on both a poorly-run provincial campaign, and on local NDP voters staying home because he was considered a shoo-in.

On May 17,2016, Harry Lali announced he would run for the NDP nomination for Fraser-Nicola in a bid to reclaim his seat.

Harry Lali was challenged by Aaron Sam, a Lower Nicola Indian Band chief.

Harry Lali won the nomination but lost his re-match with Tegart.

On May 11,2023, Harry Lali announced he was joining BC United, saying that the NDP had become focused on urban interests to the exclusion of rural issues.