News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

---

WAJID KHAN JOINS CONSERVATIVE CAUCUS

January 5, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today welcomed Wajid Khan, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville, as a Conservative member of Canada’s New Government.

“Despite our past partisan differences, I have always been impressed with Wajid Khan’s intelligence, inspiring life story and his obvious love of our country,” said Mr. Harper. “I would like to formally welcome him to the Conservative Caucus.”

The former Liberal MP volunteered to serve as the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor for Middle Eastern and Central Asian Affairs last June. As they worked together, the Prime Minister said, “both of us began to realize that politically, we have a lot in common.”

“I have come to admire the Prime Minister and his government over the last year,” said Mr. Khan. “Eventually I came to the conclusion that my ideals and priorities, and the interests of my constituents, would be better served if I sat as a Conservative MP.”

Prior to entering public life, Mr. Khan was a successful entrepreneur and community leader in the Peel Region. Born in Pakistan, he served as a fighter pilot with Pakistan’s Air Force before immigrating to Canada in 1974.

Prime Minister Harper said Mr. Khan would continue to advise him on the Middle East and Central Asia, and assist the government on outreach to new Canadians.

Biographical notes follow.


* * * * * * * * * *

Wajid Khan


Wajid Khan was elected as the Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006.

Mr. Khan has served on the House of Commons Standing Committees on Canadian Heritage and National Defence and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He has also chaired the Canada-Croatia Parliamentary Group and served on the executive of Parliamentary Groups for Poland, India and Pakistan.

In June 2006 Mr. Khan became Special Advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Middle Eastern and Central Asian affairs.

Mr. Khan embodies Canada’s potential through his entrepreneurial success and commitment to community involvement. Before immigrating to Canada, Mr. Khan served for eight years as an officer and pilot in Pakistan’s air force. He and his wife settled in Toronto in 1974, where he established himself as a successful businessman. By 1990, Mr. Khan was president and CEO of one of the largest automobile showrooms in Canada.

Mr. Khan has also played an active leadership role amongst the city’s cultural communities. He has been a strong supporter of community charities and a sponsor of several children’s hockey teams.

Mr. Khan lives with his wife Tasnim, a medical doctor, and his son Omar.

---

The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
[Note: You are receiving this e-mail for information only, and because you have subscribed to our distribution list. To modify your subscription or to have your name removed from the list, go to: (http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/subscribe.asp?login)]