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LIBERAL LEADER PROMISES REAL CHANGE,
WANTS IMMIGRATION FOR SIBLINGS
BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION
AWARD WINNER
TORONTO: Wonder why people don’t go out to vote? The
reason is simple and logical: Their votes are wasted because wrong people are
elected, who pose as very good and responsible, commit and promise but fail to come
up to expectations and serve people in reality. People feel being fooled, exploited, cheated and trapped and see
that only vested interests of parties are served and promoted. Seeing this, people
lose trust and confidence in leaders, parties and their workers, are badly
disappointed and prefer remaining at home to avoid wasting their precious votes.
In
order to win trust and confidence and votes, the leaders and parties must prove
their honesty and sincerity and loyalty to people. They must respect the
wishes, values, rights and freedom of people.
Wrong
people and parties are the real enemies of democracy and promoters of
demoncracy. This is why the people and country suffer. So keep watching the
character and contributions of all---parties, leaders, workers, volunteers and
supporters. Remain alert against hypocrites and exploiters in the community.
They are the real enemies and only cause tremendous harms. Don’t ever
entertain, support and promote them.
I
keep watching the happenings and giving clear messages to all including people,
leaders and parties. At the same time, I keep listening to people and leaders
as well in order to build bridges and help restore trust and confidence through
proper understanding and awareness.
Both
Liberals and Conservatives are facing tough times and challenges because some
of their policies are considered controversial and harmful by the people. NDP
is in a position and trying to take full advantage by proving as a healer of
wounds and promising to deliver.
Don Valley West is considered and
reputed as one of the most important localities for elections and remained stronghold
of the Liberal Party. Currently, John Carmichael of Conservative Party is the
current Member of Parliament. In the coming federal elections in October, 2015,
John Carmichael (www.johncarmichael.ca) is trying hard and
hopeful to get re-elected.
Rob
Oliphant, ex-Liberal MP of Don Valley West (www.roboliphant.ca), is doing his
best to make a comeback and is confident of becoming Member of Parliament.
Also,
Syeda Riaz is candidate of NDP and is hopeful of giving tough time to both and
becoming MP. Syeda is daughter of Tasleem Riaz, who was very close to Jack
Layton and a reputed community leader. She is a dynamic young girl and contesting
for the first time (SyedaRiaz.ndp.ca).
ROB OLIPHANT; Rob
Oliphant of Liberal contacted me and said: “Javed: I hope that we can sit down
and you can see in me some of the qualities that you are wanting in a good
leader. It is what I try to be – as a Christian, of course, but still think
that we have way more in common than not in common.”
Rob
Oliphant then invited me at his campaign office, where we including Syed
Muhammad Iqbal, President of Pak Seniors Forum, and Mazhar Shafiq were present.
In the hours-long frank discussion, Rob Oliphant said: “We will bring real
change in Don Valley West. Two important major changes will be in economy and
immigration. We believe in fairness and that’s why we always aimed for fair
economy. People making $25,000 to 30,000 are struggling hard. The major economy
policy changes include improved and effective income tax. Also, we have to find
ways for more jobs in Thorncliffe Park Drive locality. We must help people find
employment and give them satisfaction because they are Canadians and should not
remain outside the mainstream.
Rob Oliphant said; “People must
understand that the municipal, provincial and federal level leaders, roles and
policies are not same and have different impacts. They should not be mixed. I
am a federal candidate and have always remained close to the people of my
locality, listened to them and served them in reality. I know my people well
and they understand me’’
IMMIGRATION:
Rob Oliphant said: “Most of the people contacted in Don Valley West,
particularly in 85 building, were facing immigration issues including long
delays in getting citizenship.”
Rob said: “Grandparents and siblings
are an important part of the family. Siblings will prove a great helping hand
and that’s why we plan to allow sibling immigration. We fully understand the
need to bring and join people who need and love each other.”
Rob Oliphant said: “In my election
campaign, there are Christians, Muslims, Jews and others. I work comfortably with
all because we are all Canadians. I have no problem with Muslim woman wearing
Hijab because I understand that what is on the head is not in the head. I
respect them. Canada is a very diverse country and Canadians believe in
diversity. Canada and Canadians are reputed for generosity. The Conservatives
don’t like Muslims and Harper is creating two classes of citizens and does not
like diversity,”
SEX EDUCATION: Rob Oliphant said: “People must understand
that sex education is a provincial issue. I have nothing to do with this issue.
It is indeed a complex issue. Those who disagree with a part of it can opt out.
Most of those who are opposing sex education are politicizing the issue, not
telling the truth and using this issue for their vested interests including to
make sure that Rob Oliphant is defeated. The important thing is that children
need to learn and that’s why we have to teach children. The parents opposing
this issue must find a way to teach their children in their own interests.”
Mazhar Shafiq, who was also part of
the meeting, said: “Please see below. Opt out option still available. Forward
it to all the concerned parents as lot of misinformation is being spread and it
is all politically motivated due to Federal election this year. Few people are
taking advantage of innocent people who are not aware about the whole thing”:
http://www.canadianasiannews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Asian-News-April-15-30-2015.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whNDYU7r-PM&list=PL6rYLKhjP5Ehe7CWL-6iNBcJpX1IgDNQX&index=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whNDYU7r-PM&list=PL6rYLKhjP5Ehe7CWL-6iNBcJpX1IgDNQX&index=1
https://youtu.be/bFZEh4Eqqgs
EQUALIZATION:
When Syed Muhammad Iqbal, President of PSF, raised the important question of
maintaining equalization standard, Rob Oliphant said: “There are many ways we
can recognize people. We are all Canadians and deserve to be treated equally.
Professionals qualify to migrate to Canada. They only need help for settlement.
Policy changes are needed to recognize them and allow them to join their
professions and mainstream. They are an asset and Canada will benefit from
their services.”
Rob Oliphant, while answering my
questions, said: “Javed: It was a great pleasure to meet with you. It is a
great privilege to be a Member of Parliament. I enjoyed that privilege from
2008 until 2011 as the M.P. for Don Valley West. I chose to run again this time
because I feel that my work as the M.P. for Thorncliffe Park and for the whole
of Don Valley West was not finished yet.
“During
the time I was M.P. for Don Valley West, I came to know the people of
Thorncliffe Park (and at that time Flemingdon Park) very well. I came to know them
through their stories and their struggles, through their events and
celebrations, and through the work I did with them and for them.
“This
work focused largely on immigration and citizenship issues, but it extended
beyond that to employment, housing, pension, employment insurance issues, human
rights and also community development.
“If
elected again, I will serve the community ensuring that people are treated
fairly and openly in every process that they engage in with the federal
government. I will help them secure Temporary Resident Visas for their family
members or for scholars visiting the Mosque, I will ensure timely responses
regarding sponsorship of family members to join them in Canada (spouses,
children and parents) and I will work to ensure that Canada finds new ways to
help newcomers to Canada settle in effectively, find meaningful and better-paid
employment and contribute to both the economic and social life of Canada.
“While
financial security doesn't guarantee happiness, financial insecurity certainly
promotes unhappiness. It also brings about family and personal stress, illness
and other social problems. As a Member of Parliament, part of a Justin Trudeau
government, we will ensure fairness for both the middle class and those trying
to get into the middle class. I am certain that the lives of people in
Thorncliffe Park will be better with a Trudeau government.
“Just
as the first Trudeau government (that of Pierre Elliott Trudeau) opened Canada
up to the world and the world up to Canada and created a more just society, a
Justin Trudeau government will ensure that all Canadians and prospective
Canadians are treated fairly. That will make a real and tangible difference in
the lives of Canadians.
“One
of my passions has always been protecting and ensuring minority rights. I was
chair of the Yukon Human Rights Commission and it was very important work
helping address injustices and discrimination. I am proud to be part of the
Liberal Party which not only introduced the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the
work of Pierre Elliott Trudeau) but continues to have it as our cornerstone
(under Justin Trudeau). Just as I fought for rights of Muslims while I was in
the House of Commons the last time, I will do that again.
“But
it is just as important to make sure that people have food on the table and are
able to pay their rent. Our new Canada Child Benefit will be of huge value to
people with children in Thorncliffe Park. Under our plan, 9 out of every 10
families in Canada (and virtually everyone with children in Thorncliffe) will
receive TAX-FREE cheques every month - up to $6400 per child each year. Yes,
people earning $200,000 or more won't receive this but that means that we can
give more to lower income families. That is what fairness means.
“When
I was the Member of Parliament, my Constituency Office was a welcoming place
for every resident of Don Valley West. We helped long-time citizens with their
problems and cared equally for newcomers who had just arrived and were only
dreaming of citizenship. In the last four years, it has become more difficult
to come to Canada, more difficult to find work, more difficult to become a
citizen and more difficult to pay the rent. Canada is better than that. I will
work to ensure that no one is left behind.
“A
Canadian citizen is a Canadian citizen. The Conservative government promotes
two-levels of citizenship. This is not acceptable. Of course, if someone
commits a crime they should be punished. But they should not lose their
citizenship just because they chose Canada rather than having been born here.
Canada is better than that. Again, I will work to ensure no one is left behind.
“My
faith is important to me. As a Christian Minister I have served my faith
community for over 30 years. But I have also served other faith communities and
value people of all religions equally. I have learned great lessons from my
Muslim brothers and sisters about charity, peace, spiritual discipline,
friendship and the importance of family. It has been a wonderful benefit to me
to come to know Muslims not only as constituents but as friends, colleagues and
companions. I will stand with the Muslim community in the future just as I have
in the past reminding everyone that a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian.
“Recently
I attended events for Pakistan, India and Afghanistan Independence Days. I also
attended several Filipino events. It was wonderful to attend these occasions
with so many friends. I chose to wear "traditional" clothes at many
of these events.
“I
was thanked a number of times for wearing Shalwar Kameez, thanked for wearing
"Pakistani dress." I reminded them that, in Canada, Shalwar Kameez is
also Canadian dress. It may be made in Pakistan, or India, or Afghanistan, but
it is now Canadian. And that is the same for so many people in Thorncliffe
Park: they may be made in Pakistan, or India, or Afghanistan, or Bangladesh, or
the Philippines, or Latin America, but they are Canadian and need to live, grow
up, and grow old happily in Canada. My job as the Member of Parliament for Don
Valley West is to do everything in my power to make sure that happens.”
Like
I always say, people are the best judge. They must use their rights and votes
honestly, sensibly and in the best interest of the people and country. Before election,
leaders pose as prophets and saints and after being elected they change colours
and become strangers.
JZ’S
PROFILE: Declared by
Judges as one of 75 Finalist Best Canadian Immigrants, an Honour for the
Pakistani Community. Joined Journalism Profession in 1974 (Daily `SUN’,
Karachi) and still serving as a professional journalist (2014). Javed Zaheer,
Free Expression Award Winner (Awarded by National Ethnic Press & Media
Council of Canada—NEPMCC. Award presented by Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario,
Canada), Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner (Presented by North American Desi
Idol), Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of
Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club,
Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor
(Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor
(Honorary) of English Weekly `DAWN', Canada, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English
Daily DAWN, Pakistan (From 1986-1999), Chairman, CANOPI, Director of Children
Dignity Foundation (CDF---Canada & Pakistan) and Honorary Director, Canpak,
Chamber of Commerce, and Honorary Director Information, Pak Seniors Forum
(PSF), is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve
all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com To
read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and
nationalethnicpress.com (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004). Visit
www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com for latest exclusive articles.
JZ'S MOTTO: SERVE HUMANITY IN
REALITY
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