Irfan Sabir Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Irfan Sabir
Smallimage:Irfan Sabir 2015.jpg
Caption:Sabir in May 2015
Birth Date:19 December 1977
Birth Place:Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
Residence:Calgary, Alberta
Office:Alberta Minister of Community and Social Services
Term Start:May 24, 2015
Term End:April 30, 2019
Predecessor:Heather Klimchuk
Successor:Rajan Sawhney
Office1:Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Bhullar-McCall
Predecessor1:Darshan Kang
Term Start1:May 5, 2015
Party:Alberta New Democratic Party
Portfolio:Minister of Human Services
Occupation:Lawyer
Alma Mater:University of Calgary

Irfan Sabir (born December 19, 1977) is a Canadian lawyer and politician who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 2015 and 2019 Alberta general elections to represent the electoral district of Calgary-Bhullar-McCall.[1] [2] He is a member of the Alberta New Democratic Party. In the 29th Alberta Legislature his party formed a majority government and he was a member of the Executive Council of Alberta as the Minister of Community and Social Services between 2015 and 2019.[3] In the 30th Alberta Legislature, beginning in 2019, his party formed the official opposition to a United Conservative Party majority government. As of June 21, 2024, he serves as the Official Opposition critic for Justice and Public Safety as well as the Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition.

Background

Sabir was raised in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, where he obtained an economics degree.[4] He moved to Calgary in 2004, and obtained degrees in social work and law at the University of Calgary.[4] In 2012, he began working at Maurice Law Barristers and Solicitors, where he specialized in Aboriginal law.[4] In the past, he has also worked for a Calgary homeless shelter and volunteered for Calgary Legal Guidance and Red Cross Canada.[4]

Electoral history

2023 general election

Notes and References

  1. http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/04/24/alberta-election-2015-calgary-mccall-the-candidates-the-issues "Alberta Election 2015 Calgary McCall: The candidates, the issues"
  2. https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/calgary-mccall-pakistani-born-lawyer-looks-to-bring-jobs-to-riding "Calgary-McCall: Pakistani-born lawyer looks to bring jobs to riding"
  3. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/rachel-notley-sworn-in-as-alberta-premier-reveals-cabinet-1.3085645 "Rachel Notley sworn in as Alberta premier, reveals cabinet"
  4. James Wood, "Calgary MLA Irfan Sabir is new Human Services Minister". Calgary Herald, May 24, 2015.