Mr. Bhardwaj was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Edmonton-Ellerslie on March 3, 2008. In addition to his duties as an MLA, Mr. Bhardwaj serves as chair of the Standing Committee on the Economy, and as a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills.

In the past he has also served on the standing committees on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing, Community Services and Public Accounts.

Mr. Bhardwaj currently chairs the Setting the Direction for Special Education in Alberta Steering Committee, the capital region caucus and the Alberta Innovates Government Liaison Committee. He is also a member of the board of directors for Northlands.

Naresh moved to Alberta with his family in 1976. He became a journeyman automotive mechanic in 1983 before going back to school and graduating at the U of A with a double major. Naresh then spent the next 18 years working as a teacher in Pincher Creek, Whitecourt, Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton, teaching predominantly automotives, mathematics and physical education.

Active in Edmonton communities for over 30 years, Mr. Bhardwaj has served on many committees and associations, establishing Youth Link, a youth employment training program, and coaching soccer at the community league level and for Juventus U18.

Mr. Bhardwaj was married in 1982 to his wife, Sunita, and has three children: Sarah, Stephen and Neeraj.

March 15, 2010