John Nuraney
Former Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, Businessman
About John Nuraney
John Nuraney (October 31, 1937, Mombasa, Kenya – November 21, 2016, Surrey, British Columbia) was a Canadian politician and businessman.
He was the first Muslim elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, representing Burnaby-Willingdon from 2001 to 2009 for the BC Liberal Party. Nuraney immigrated to Canada from Zaire in 1974 after his business assets were nationalized. In Canada, he owned five A&W Restaurant franchises.
He was a respected leader in the Ismaili community, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. His volunteer work included serving as a director and past president of the Burnaby Rotary Club, director of the Michael J. Fox Theatre, and member of the Metrotown Community Policing Advisory Group. He instigated the 'Penny Harvest' project to feed hungry children in Burnaby.
Nuraney was multilingual, speaking six languages: English, French, Swahili, Lingala, Hindi, and Gujarati.
References & Credits
Image Credits
Pioneering Achievement
First Muslim elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
Key Roles
MLA for Burnaby-Willingdon (2001-2009), owner of A&W Restaurants, director and past president of Burnaby Rotary Club, instigator of 'Penny Harvest' project.