23 Facts About Larry Shaben

Lawrence "Larry" Ralph Shaben was a Canadian politician of Lebanese descent and the first Muslim Cabinet Minister in Canada.

Larry Shaben was one of the first Muslims to be elected to higher office in North America.

Larry Shaben held a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1975 to 1989 sitting with the governing Progressive Conservative Caucus.

Lawrence Ralph Shaben was born on March 20,1935, in Hanna, Alberta The family moved to Edmonton in the mid-1940s after North America's first mosque was opened there.

Larry Shaben went to Eastwood High School before going on to the University of Alberta.

Larry Shaben left university early to join the workforce, although his daughter admitted in a book that he goofed off so much in college that he flunked out.

Larry Shaben married Alma Saddy in 1960 and they had five children by 1966.

Larry Shaben moved his family to High Prairie and bought a general store.

Larry Shaben got his first start in politics by serving on the municipal council for the town of High Prairie.

Larry Shaben moved his career to the provincial level when he ran for a seat in the Alberta Legislature in the 1975 Alberta general election.

Larry Shaben ran in the electoral district of Lesser Slave Lake as a candidate for the Progressive Conservative party.

Larry Shaben won the electoral district defeating incumbent Dennis Barton and a third candidate by a wide margin to pick up the seat for his party.

Larry Shaben ran for a second term in office in the 1979 Alberta general election.

Larry Shaben faced a tougher race, losing a little bit of his popular vote from the previous election against three other candidates including future MLA Dan Backs.

Larry Shaben held his district and was returned to the Legislature.

Larry Shaben would run for a third term in office in the 1982 general election with ministerial advantage.

In 1984, Larry Shaben survived a plane crash near High Prairie, Alberta that killed fellow MLA and Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley and five other passengers.

Larry Shaben would run a fourth term in office in the 1986 general election.

Larry Shaben held that portfolio until he retired at dissolution of the Assembly in 1989.

Larry Shaben was severely beaten by a hitchhiker and wound up hospitalized in 1986.

Larry Shaben was later instrumental in establishing the Edmonton Islamic Academy and a Chair In Islamic Studies at the University of Alberta.

Larry Shaben died on September 6,2008, following a long bout with cancer.

Larry Shaben's funeral was attended by more than 1,000 people and numerous politicians including three provincial Premiers.