Rebuilding, renewal and empowerment: these were the three themes emphasized by the national co-chair for Michael Igantieff’s Liberal leadership campaign on her recent tour stop in British Columbia.
and lawyer, Amandeep Singh
For Dr. Ruby Dhalla, the MP for Ontario’s Brampton-Springdale, the Liberal party’s upcoming convention in Montreal in November is an opportunity for the party to redefine itself for her own and for upcoming generations.
“Young Canadians care about health care, about environmental preservation, and about access to education – these are all areas in which Micheal [Ignatieff] has shown tremendous leadership,” said Dhalla, who at 31 is the second youngest member in the House of Commons.
“Michael has that sense of vision which can elevate the party and give Canadians a vision for the future,” she said in an interview with The Asian Pacific Post. “He is a man with tremendous passion, international experience, and intellectual depth.”
A two-time election winner in 2004 and 2006, Dhalla has risen quickly in the Liberal Party ranks. Her current co-chair position, which she is sharing with fellow long-term Liberal caucus members the Hon. Denis Coderre and the Hon. Senator David Smith, has also given her an opportunity to raise awareness for a matter close to her heart: foreign credential recognition for new immigrants.
“I would like to see immigrants have their credentials evaluated and validated before they make the commitment of uprooting and coming to an entirely new country,” she explained.
“I would also like to see a 1-800 number for new Canadians to help them get a running start when they come to the country.”
As a private member, Dhalla recently put forward a bill in the House of Commons on
foreign credential recognition.
On her swing through BC, Dhalla made stops in Kelowna, Kamloops and the Lower Mainland.
For more information on the Micheal Ignatieff campaign, see www.michaelignatieff.ca.
