Harmit (Harry) Manocha announced this week that he will run for Abbotsford city council in this fall’s municipal election.
Manocha immigrated to Canada 24 years ago and has resided in Abbotsford with his wife and their three children.
He has been employed with Purolator as an owner/operator for the past 12 years.
He has also worked for The International Punjabi Tribune Newspaper, where his main involvement is to cover Abbotsford events.
Prior to this, Manocha owned and operated three local businesses.
He has also been involved in charitable ventures, helping to raise money and awareness for BC Children’s Hospital and Team Miracle Maya, fundraising for two local high school sports programs for the last six years, and volunteering with various faith organizations for the past 15 years.
Manocha has also volunteered on five different political campaigns.
He said he has chosen to run for a council seat because he believes there are areas where he can help make a difference and there is more to Abbotsford than building its businesses.
“While I agree that making our businesses grow is vital to our city, I also feel that the quality of family life is just as important,” he said in a press release.
“Therefore, I want to make it my priority that the needs of the everyday person are heard and brought to the table. I want to be that councillor who will respond to the needs of the working class of Abbotsford.”
Manocha said he would also like to focus on the issue of homelessness and work with school trustees to resolve violence in the school system.
Manocha joins two other non-incumbents in the race for council. Dave Sidhu announced as a candidate under the AbbotsfordFirst banner in April, and Aird Flavelle announced his candidacy last week.
Seven of the eight current councillors have announced their intention to retain their seat, while Coun. Moe Gill is in running for mayor.
Check out other stories on the municipal election here.