Queen's Park Bureau Chief
Their political differences are vast, but the provincial candidates in Etobicoke North can all agree they are making history.
For the first time in Ontario, the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats will field Muslim standard-bearers in the same riding, in the Oct. 10 election.
"All communities are coming of age ... so there's diversity within the diversity," first-term incumbent Liberal MPP Shafiq Qaadri, 44, said yesterday.
Qaadri, born in Chicago to parents of Pakistani origin, said it's important that the Ontario Legislature reflect the broader community.
"In the sort of Trudeau Liberalism spirit, I think multiculturalism – multiplicity, diversity in any way you can parse that – is welcome," he said.
"The only group we might possibly have enough representation from these days are lawyers," joked the physician and author.
"I personally think, for example, we need to have more aboriginal members because these, of course, are very important issues," he said, referring to the fact there has never been a native MPP at Queen's Park.
Mohamed Boudjenane, 45, executive director of the Canadian Arab Federation and a former TFO broadcaster, will officially become the NDP candidate on Monday after an uncontested nomination.
Boudjenane said it is "empowering" for the community because Etobicoke North, which has a large Muslim population, is a swing seat that has been held by the Liberals, Tories and New Democrats since 1990.
"It's a sign of maturity in a way. It's a sign of a community that wants to participate and contribute to public life by having three candidates running," said the former Panorama host. "It's also a good sign for political parties to be open enough to attract ... candidates from religious faiths," said Boudjenane, who was born in Morocco.
"It's also interesting to show through those candidates how diverse Muslims are. You have someone from South Asia, a Pakistani guy, you have someone from the African sub-Sahara, the Somali guy, and me from North Africa, an Arab," he said.
"That's why it's a big mistake to say all Muslims are the same. Islam is the religion, but people come from different countries and backgrounds."
Mohamed Kassim, 50, a professor at Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, will carry the Progressive Conservative banner in the election.
Kassim, who was born in Somalia, said while it's "wonderful" the three main parties will have Muslim candidates, religion shouldn't decide the election.
"People should elect us on our abilities, our experience and whatever platform we put forward. The diversity here is important, but what's more important is that people in Etobicoke North would elect us based on those factors," he said.
While Kassim contested the Liberal nomination in Etobicoke Centre before the 2003 election, he said PC Leader John Tory welcomed him into the fold.
"John Tory has worked very hard in reaching out to all of the diverse communities that make up our province," he said.
"He has already stated in public that if you believe in honest, accountable government, you have a voice and a home in the PC party."
It had all the essential elements of any Canada Day celebration. Lots of Maple Leaf hats, shirts and flags while teams played games and music blared under a blazing summer sun. Well, perhaps there were a few subtle differences.
