37th Parliament Members
at dissolution on April 19, 2005

MLA: Karn Manhas  Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain Elected:  2001 BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBERAL PARTY

Karn was first elected in the riding of Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain in the 2001 provincial general election. He is the youngest member ever elected to the BC Legislature. Karn currently serves on the Legislative Assembly's Special Committee of Selection, the Government Caucus Committee on Education and Multicultural Committee. Karn is also currently Chair of the Tri-City Caucus. He previously served on the Legislative Assembly's Select Standing Committee on Education. 

Before becoming an MLA, Karn was the Director of Business Development and Operations Planning for a local commercial/residential property management firm with holdings throughout the Tri-Cities, the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. He was also President of a start-up application software programming company, which he founded and operated in Port Coquitlam as a young entrepreneur. Karn has also conducted public consultation work on regional transportation issues, which continues to be a passion of his.

A third-generation British Columbian, Karn was raised in the Tri-Cities and lives in Port Coquitlam. After graduating from the International Baccalaureate program at Port Moody Senior Secondary, Karn was recognized with the community's Citizenship Award. Karn has volunteered at schools and hospitals, including Eagle Ridge Hospital. He has been active in raising funds for overseas volunteers.

Karn helped manage a $4.7 million non-profit organization, was a founding member of an inner-city tutoring club for kids, and produced a live cultural show aimed at raising money for charity which drew 2200 people and had a cast of over 200. In 1995, he volunteered in northern India for a non-governmental organization providing free rural and remote health care, building access to running water, and teaching skills development and literacy.

Karn graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, specializing in the genetics of inherited diseases. He minored in Biotechnology, examining the use of scientific knowledge in biology to commerce, technology and environmental applications. After graduation in 1997, he completed a further year's study in Arts, Economics and Commerce at the University of British Columbia.

Karn speaks English and French and is conversant in Punjabi and Hindi. In his spare time he enjoys amateur photography, adventure travel, reading, hiking, and exploring BC's unique natural wilderness.