Larry Shaben

Lawrence "Larry" Ralph Shaben (March 20, 1935 – September 6, 2008) was a Canadian politician of Lebanese descent and the first Muslim Cabinet Minister in Canada. He was also one of the first Muslims to be elected to higher office in North America. He held a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1975 to 1989 sitting with the governing Progressive Conservative Caucus. During his time in office he served as a cabinet minister in the governments of Premier Peter Lougheed and Don Getty occupying various portfolios from 1979 to 1989.

Early life Lawrence Ralph Shaben was born on March 20, 1935, in Hanna, Alberta With his win Shaben was the first Arab elected in Alberta and among the first Muslims elected to higher political office in North America.

Shaben ran for a second term in office in the 1979 Alberta general election. He faced a tougher race, losing a little bit of his popular vote from the previous election against three other candidates including future MLA Dan Backs. Shaben held his district and was returned to the Legislature.

After the election Premier Peter Lougheed appointed Shaben to the Executive Council of Alberta. He became Minister of Utilities and Telephones. His appointment would make him the first Muslim cabinet minister in Canada.

Lougheed shuffled his cabinet after the election. Shaben became the Minister of Housing. In 1984, Shaben survived a plane crash near High Prairie, Alberta that killed fellow MLA and Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley and five other passengers.

He held that portfolio after Don Getty became Premier in 1985. Shaben would run a fourth term in office in the 1986 general election. He would face a hotly contested fight against New Democrat candidate Bert Dube. Despite his popular vote dropping Shaben was able to hang onto his seat.

Getty made his first cabinet shuffle after the election and appointed Shaben to his final portfolio as Minister of Economic Development and Trade. He held that portfolio until he retired at dissolution of the Assembly in 1989.

Late life Shaben was severely beaten by a hitchhiker and wound up hospitalized in 1986. Following 9/11, Shaben became active in promoting greater tolerance and understanding of Muslims in Canada. He was later instrumental in establishing the Edmonton Islamic Academy and a Chair In Islamic Studies at the University of Alberta.

In 2005 he was appointed a federal citizenship judge. His funeral was attended by more than 1,000 people and numerous politicians including three provincial Premiers.