Raj Pannu

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Raj Pannu, Ph.D., (born 1934), a Canadian educator and politician, led the Alberta New Democratic Party from 2000 to 2004.

Raj was born in Punjab, India completing an undergraduate degree before immigrating to Canada in 1962. Raj settled in Whitecourt, Alberta, where he worked as a high school teacher until 1964.

In 1964 Raj moved to Edmonton, Alberta, to work on a graduate program. Raj completed a Ph.D. in sociology in 1973. Raj then taught at York University for one year before returning to the University of Alberta where he taught until his retirement in 1996.

Raj entered provincial politics in 1997 when he was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing the riding of Edmonton-Strathcona. Raj became leader in February of 2000 after the previous leader, Pam Barrett, retired from politics.

Despite being unable to form the provincial government, Pannu ran a high-profile campaign in the 2001 Alberta election. T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Raj Against the Machine", as well as a reputation as a "likeable and honest politician" contributed to his popularity and made him a leader well-respected by supporters and non-supporters alike.

He announced on July 13, 2004, that he was resigning as party leader. Fellow MLA Brian Mason, the deputy leader, became interim leader. Mason was formally elected leader in a leadership convention held on September 18.

Although he has left his leadership post, Pannu sought re-election as an MLA in the 26th Alberta general election, held on November 22, 2004. Pannu was re-elected by a wide margin.

On June 14, 2006, Raj announced his retirement from Alberta politics at the dissolution of the legislature.