Harwinder Sandhu was first elected as the MLA for Vernon-Monashee (now called Vernon-Lumby) in 2020. Harwinder made history winning the seat for the B.C. NDP for the first time in general election after decades, and she was the first person of colour to win this seat.

She was re-elected in 2024 helping the BC NDP to win this seat for a second consecutive term.

Harwinder was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture in November 2024. She previously served as Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care.

Prior to being elected, Harwinder was a registered nurse at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, community nursing and worked as a patient care coordinator. She served this sector for more than two decades.

An active member of the BC Nurses’ Union, she served as Provincial Chair of the Mosaic of Colour caucus and as a lobby coordinator. As part of the BC Nurses’ Union and as an individual she worked on many charitable initiatives.

Harwinder is a community advocate, and a longtime Vernon resident. Born to a farm family, and having lived in rural communities across B.C., she understands the needs of those communities.

Harwinder’s commitment to public service is inspired by her own personal experience of overcoming hardship. She knows how hard it can be to make ends meet and get by from her own lived experiences and from her two decades of work helping patients from various backgrounds.

Harwinder worked with Northern Health at Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace for over seven years before moving to Vernon with her two young daughters, after losing her first husband, Sammy, to cancer.

Harwinder overcame many hardships, faced barriers and difficulties, but she kept working hard to advocate for her community and patients she provided care for. Harwinder is now proudly serving people in Vernon-Lumby and raising her three children.