1. Jagrup Brar is a member of the Legislative Assembly in British Columbia, representing the riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge from 2004 to 2009, then Surrey-Fleetwood from 2009 to 2013 and since 2017.
14 Facts About Jagrup Brar
1. 2.
Jagrup Brar moved to Canada to study at the University of Manitoba, where he received a Master's degree in Public Administration.
3.
Jagrup Brar then moved to Surrey, British Columbia, where he worked in career and entrepreneurship development for non-profit organizations, including as executive director of the Surrey Self Employment and Entrepreneur Development Society.
4.
Jagrup Brar first entered politics by running as the NDP candidate in the October 2004 by-election for the riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge, triggered by the resignation of BC Liberal MLA Gulzar Cheema.
5.
Jagrup Brar won the by-election with 6,740 votes, defeating Liberal candidate Mary Polak to become a member of British Columbia's 37th Legislative Assembly.
6.
Jagrup Brar was re-elected to the legislature by winning 11,553 votes in the 2005 provincial election, and served as opposition deputy caucus chair and opposition critic for public safety and the Solicitor General in the 38th Legislative Assembly.
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Jagrup Brar was named critic for small business by NDP leader Adrian Dix in April 2011.
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In early 2012, Jagrup Brar participated in the Raise the Rates MLA Welfare Challenge by living on $610 for one month, the standard wage given to welfare recipients in BC at the time.
9.
Jagrup Brar lived in a small room in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside for part of the month-long challenge.
10.
Jagrup Brar lost 26 pounds during the event and reported feeling constantly hungry and his mind "fuzzy" due to a lack of adequate nutrition and sleep.
11.
Jagrup Brar kept a blog of his experiences and the media exposure surrounding the event significantly raised public awareness of welfare rates in BC.
12.
Jagrup Brar was defeated in the 2013 provincial election by BC Liberal candidate Peter Fassbender by 200 votes.
13.
Jagrup Brar then ran for president of the BC NDP but lost to Craig Keating at the November 2013 party convention.
14.
Jagrup Brar was acclaimed as caucus chair for the governing NDP on November 10,2021, replacing outgoing chair Bob D'Eith.