About Rahim

Rahim Jaffer is an entrepreneur from the Old Strathcona district of Edmonton. The Jaffer family came to Canada to escape persecution in Uganda when Rahim was only a child. The government of Idi Amin confiscated their business and their home and sent them as penniless refugees to a new country.

Rahim’s experience has given him a unique appreciation for Canada. He deeply values Canada's tradition of freedom of expression, liberal democracy and individual rights.

Rahim completed his Bachelor of Social Sciences degree at the University of Ottawa in Political Science and Economics. He took his degree in French and also served as a legislative assistant in the House of Commons. After completing his degree, Rahim returned to Edmonton where he operated a highly successful coffee shop in the heart of Old Strathcona.

It was Rahim's experience as a small business owner and his time spent working on Parliament Hill in Ottawa that drove him to make a difference by running for office.

Some of the issues which drove Rahim to run for office where:

• Strengthening Canadian democracy
• Reducing the tax burden on average Canadians
• Promoting human rights throughout the globe;
• Building a strong federalist alternative in Quebec;
• Bringing in a more fair and open immigration system;

Rahim was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona on June 2nd, 1997 at the tender age of 25.

In addition to serving his constituents on a daily basis, Rahim has held a wide range of parliamentary responsibilities. Since his election in 1997 Rahim has served as an Opposition critic in the following portfolios:

• Intergovernmental Affairs,
• Industry,
• Environment,
• Deputy Leader,
• Foreign Affairs (Middle East & Europe)
• Customs and National Revenue, and
• Infrastructure and Communities

As a fluently bilingual speaker, Rahim has also worked extensively in Quebec to promote the Conservative Party message for Canadian Unity.

On January 23rd, 2006, Rahim was re-elected to serve a fourth term as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona. He looks forward to serving his constituency through the 39th session of Parliament as Chair of the National Conservative Caucus.

On February 8th, 2006, Rahim was honoured to be named Chair of the National Conservative Caucus by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Rahim is excited to begin serving in this new capacity. Some of the duties associated with this role include:

• Chairing weekly meetings of the national Conservative team in Ottawa,
• Serving as a link between Conservative M.P.s from across Canada and the Prime Minister,
• Consulting with leading members of the government and communicating with caucus
• Meeting with various business and non-governmental stakeholders to ensure major issues are addressed before Caucus