Black Ottawa Scene conducted a search of the websites of the various political parties participating in the 19 October 2015 federal election in Canada and identified the following candidates of African, Caribbean and Black heritage. Below are their profiles.
Editor
Celina Caesar-Chavannes
Celina Caesar-Chavannes
Liberal Party

Celina Caesar-Chavannes

Whitby

http://celina.liberal.ca/

Celina Caesar-Chavannes represented the Liberal Party of Canada in the 2014 federal by-election in Whitby-Oshawa and her commitment to the community led to a substantial increase in the Liberal vote – nearly three times that of the 2011 election. She continues to commit herself to the local community as she works diligently towards becoming a strong voice for all Whitby residents.

Celina has deep roots in Whitby, where she lives with her husband and three children. She is a successful entrepreneur and the recipient of the Toronto Board of Trade’s Business Entrepreneur of the Year for 2012, as well as the 2007 Black Business and Professional Association’s Harry Jerome Young Entrepreneur Award recipient. Celina is a celebrated research consultant working with a variety of private, government and non-government organizations.

Celina is an international lecturer on the inclusion of marginalized populations in clinical research and has a Bachelor of Science, an MBA in Healthcare Management and is an Executive MBA candidate. She is a past member of the Governing Council at the University of Toronto, and past Vice Chair of Campus Council at University of Toronto Scarborough. She also served as member of the Institutional Advisory Board with CIHR’s Institute of Neuroscience Mental Health and Addiction, and is a member of the Congress of Black Women.

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Emmanuel Dubourg
Emmanuel Dubourg

Liberal Party

Emmanuel Dubourg

Bourassa

http://emmanueldubourg.liberal.ca/

Emmanuel Dubourg is the Liberal candidate and current Member of Parliament for Bourassa, the riding he has represented since 2013. He was previously involved in Quebec provincial politics as a Liberal Member of the National Assembly for six years.

Before entering politics, Emmanuel worked in the federal public service for nearly 20 years. He also taught at the college and university levels and was a successful public speaker. Internationally, he worked as a tax auditing consultant in West Africa. Emmanuel is the co founder of CPA Without Borders, a non profit organization that offers professional accounting services internationally on a volunteer basis.

Emmanuel has earned both a Bachelor of Accounting and an MBA, and was named a ‘grand ambassadeur’ by the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec in May 2014 (Fellow). Other honours he has received include the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Governor General of Canada Medal, a performance award from Université du Québec à Montréal, the CA Émérite award, and the Innovation and Excellence Award from the Canada Revenue Agency. He was also named one of the Top 20 Diversity Personalities in 2013 and was the recipient of a Black History Month award.

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Greg Fergus
Greg Fergus

Liberal Party

Greg Fergus

Hull-Aylmer

http://gregfergus.liberal.ca/

Greg Fergus has solid experience in the political field. He has worked as a policy advisor and senior policy advisor in a number of ministerial offices. He has also worked at all levels of the Liberal Party of Canada, including as National Director, where he introduced change and innovation that made the Party more efficient, restoring it to today’s modern appeal.

Greg readily gets involved in his community. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Aylmer Arms Residence and a member of the parish council for a parish within his riding. In the past, he has been vice president of a neighbourhood association, amongst other contributions. He has also been involved with elementary and secondary school committees and sports teams and with organizations defending regional interests.

Greg holds two Bachelor’s Degrees – one in Social Science and one in International Relations. He has also undertaken studies at the master’s level in international relations. Over the past 25 years, he has worked in both the private and public sectors, with not for profit organizations and in the academic sector.

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Ahmed Hussen
Ahmed Hussen
Liberal Party

Ahmed Hussen

York South–Weston

https://ahmedhussen.liberal.ca/

A lawyer and social activist, Ahmed Hussen has the proven track record of leadership and community empowerment to be the voice in Ottawa that is effective at getting results for York South—Weston.

Born and raised in Somalia, Ahmed immigrated to Canada in 1993 where he settled in Regent Park and quickly gravitated towards public service. In 2002 he co-founded the Regent Park Community Council and was able to secure the $500 million revitalization project of Regent Park, all while ensuring the interests of the area’s nearly 15,000 residents were protected. Ahmed currently serves as the National President of the Canadian Somali Congress – a Somali community organization that works with national and regional authorities to advocate on issues of importance to Canadians of Somali heritage and strengthen civic engagement and integration. His results-driven reputation led to an invitation to join the task force for modernizing income security for adults in the Toronto City Summit Alliance.

Ahmed is fluent in English, Somali, and Swahili, and earned his B.A (History) from York University and his Law Degree from the University of Ottawa. In 2004, the Toronto Star recognized him as one of ten individuals in Toronto to have made substantial contributions to our community.

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Hedy Fry
Hedy Fry

Liberal Party

Hon. Hedy Fry

Vancouver Centre

http://hedyfry.liberal.ca/

Dr. Hedy Fry is the Liberal candidate and current MP for the riding of Vancouver Centre. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Hedy received her medical training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, before immigrating to Canada and embarking on a career in family medicine that spanned 20 years at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver’s West End.

During this time, she served as president of the Vancouver Medical Association, the BC Medical Association, and the Federation of Medical Women, earning her a reputation as a leader in medical politics on the local, provincial, and federal levels.

In 1993, Hedy was elected as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre, defeating then-Prime Minister Kim Campbell. Throughout her 21 years of service, Hedy has served in a variety of Parliamentary leadership roles, as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, Liberal Critic for Sports and the 2010 Olympics, as well as Liberal Critic for Canadian Heritage. Hedy served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration with a special emphasis on foreign credentials. She has also served on committees pertaining to citizenship, health, justice and human rights, as well as social development. Hedy is currently the Liberal Critic for Health.

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Beatrice Ghettuba Nominated as Liberal Candidate in St. Albert – Edmonton

Election Photo - Beatrice
September 6, 2015
Beatrice Ghettuba Nominated as Liberal Candidate in St. Albert – Edmonton
EDMONTON, AB – Members of the St. Albert – Edmonton Federal Liberal Association met Sunday, September 6 for a contested nomination meeting, and nominated Beatrice Ghettuba as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate in St. Albert – Edmonton for the October 19th federal election.Beatrice is a both a businesswoman and a community organizer. She is a Chartered Professional Account, who runs her own accounting firm. She also serves as the Board Chair for Edmonton’s Africa Centre, the hub of Edmonton’s African-Canadian community, and took part in the founding of Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton (WAVE). Beatrice is a proud mother of four, and grandmother of two wonderful grandchildren.Welcoming her nomination, Beatrice stated, “I am excited to represent Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada in St. Albert – Edmonton. As a community organizer, I am passionate about bringing fairness to the middle class, and those struggling to join it. I look forward to spending the next two months on the campaign trail, standing up for residents of St. Albert – Edmonton, and earning the opportunity to be their voice in Ottawa.”-30-
Contact:
Michel Breau
Liberal Party of Canada (Alberta)
587-334-0546

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Conservative candidate Abdul Abdi
Conservative candidate Abdul Abdi

Conservative

ABDUL ABDI

Ottawa West Nepean

Source: http://abdulabdi.conservative.ca/en/

Abdul Abdi is a proud Canadian, devoted husband and father of three who has served as a local police officer for the past eleven years. He has taken a leave of absence from his job as a constable to run as the Conservative candidate in Ottawa West-Nepean.

Abdul has supported the Ottawa West-Nepean community his entire life. As a teenager he worked as a student running after-school programs; and he continued his community service at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa where he worked with youth to develop social skills, problem solving techniques and strong leadership. Abdul was also recruited by the RCMP to work on the National Security and Community Outreach initiatives team where he actively worked with various communities across Canada to address the very real threat of terrorism.

He has been recognized for his strong work ethic and leadership having received the United Way’s Community Builder Award for making a positive difference in the lives of others in the community. Abdul is also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, recognized by former Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird for his work with the Muslim community in building bridges with mainstream Canadian society and law enforcement.

TEL: (613) 226-2234
[email protected]

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James Robinson
James Robinson

James Robinson

Conservative
York South-Weston
James is a long time advocate for all the people of York South-Weston, tirelessly working for all citizens no matter what concerns them or what effects York South-Weston. James has worked intensely with youth and has counseled many residents on a broad range of subjects and problems, always treating people with the respect they deserve.
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Constance Barnes
Constance Barnes
NDP

Constance is a popular municipal leader and tourism professional with the experience and determination to deliver results as Vancouver Centre’s next MP.

She’s ready to get to work with Tom Mulcair’s NDP team to:

  • take back our coast by stopping environmentally-hazardous oil pipeline development projects;
  • tackle household debt with plans for affordable childcare and housing; and
  • defend public health care and reverse Harper’s $36-billion funding cut.

Constance was elected to the Park Board in 2008 and 2011 as part of the Vision Vancouver team, topping the polls each time with more than 62,000 votes. She became Board Chair in her second term. Under her leadership and six years in office, the Board managed over $600 million in balanced budgets, investing in community, green space, recreational and health infrastructure.

Constance and Tom

Constance passionately advocated for the Breakfast & Backpack Program at Strathcona Community Center. In her first term, as the liaison to the City of Vancouver’s LGBTQ Committee, her diligent advocacy resulted in the Board unanimously approving 77 recommendations to address the needs of  the LGBTQ community.

Constance championed the creation of the city’s first new urban park, Emery Barnes Park, in Vancouver Centre. And she was never afraid to take on powerful interests. In her first year elected to the Park Board, she opposed fee hikes that made parks less affordable for families and subsequently helped to pass a motion opposing new pipeline development projects that could pose great risk to Vancouver’s natural environment.

Today, Constance is a leader in the province’s tourism industry. She is a senior executive at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden—named “World’s Top City Garden” by National Geographic and “Garden of the Year” by the Garden Tourism Council of Canada.

Constance has a well-earned reputation as a principled fighter for social justice and responsible economic development. She is a member of the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC and is a past Trustee of the Vancouver Public Library Board. She actively lobbies for better mental health support, early care and learning, and the environment.

Born and raised in Vancouver in a multi-cultural family, Constance has dedicated her life to making our city a more liveable place. Having raised a son and a daughter as a single mother, she also knows first-hand the struggles many families face and has advocated for affordable rental and social housing. Now she’s committed to building a better Vancouver in a Canada where no one is left behind.

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Sadia Groguhé
Sadia Groguhé

NDP

Sadia Groguhé
QCLongueuil–Charles-Lemoyne
Sadia Groguhé has worked hard for the people of Saint-Lambert since May 2011—and she’s ready to get even more done as MP for the redrawn riding of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne.

In August 2013, she was appointed the NDP’s Deputy Whip and Deputy Critic for Employment and Social Development. Earlier, she served as Deputy House Leader and Deputy Critic for Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism. She is also Vice-Chair of the NDP Women’s Caucus.

As part of Tom Mulcair’s NDP team, you can count on Sadia to fight for our communities in Parliament. Her priorities include standing up for the middle class and for seniors, supporting small businesses, and leaving a cleaner environment for future generations.

Born in Istres, France, and growing up in a large family, Sadia learned the value of political engagement and cooperation early in life. Thanks to affordable public education, she went on to earn a Master’s degree in Psychology.

When she arrived in Quebec with her husband in 2005, she worked in the area of social and occupational integration for youth and adults in distress. In France, she was president of the Istres Equality Association and a municipal councillor responsible for integration (1995–2000). When she arrived in Canada, she continued her career path as a trainer and guidance counsellor for the community organization Objectif Emploiin Montreal.

Sadia is a proud mother of four. Her commitment to build a better world for the next generation motivated Sadia to join the NDP in 2011. Today, alongside Tom Mulcair, she’s ready to get the job done for the people of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne.

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Faisal Hassan
Faisal Hassan

NDP

Faisal Hassan

Etobicoke North

Building on his track-record as a community leader, Faisal Hassan is ready to deliver the change we need asEtobicoke North’s next Member of Parliament.

After a decade of Conservative government, Faisal will work with Tom Mulcair to get results on your  priorities, including:

  • launching Tom’s plan for affordable childcare—where parents pay no more than $15/day;
  • creating good, middle-class jobs with solutions for manufacturing and small business;
  • securing your retirement by protecting workplace pensions and growing the CPP.

Faisal has been a champion for affordable housing, especially through his work with Housing Connections and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation. He has also been a member of the Immigrant and Refugee Housing Task Group and a board member for the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation and Brampton’s Habitat for Humanity. Faisal’s proposal to adopt the Red Cross First Contact Project has improved access to housing and other services for refugees.

Faisal works for York South—Weston NDP MP Mike Sullivan. Regarded as one of Canada’s leading Somali-to-English literary translators, Faisal has also written a novel and previously hosted a popular Somali-Canadian radio program.

A proud resident of Etobicoke North, Faisal has deep roots in our community. He immigrated to Canada in 1990 as a teenager with nothing but the clothes on his back. After graduating from the University of Winnipeg, he moved to Etobicoke and earned a certificate in project management from Humber College.

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Gregory Hines
Gregory Hines
NDP
Gregory Hines
ONMarkham–Stouffville

Gregory Hines is a successful small business owner and community support worker who will fight for hardworking families in Markham—Stouffville as our next Member of Parliament.

Gregory is a proud husband and father of four with deep roots in Markham—Stouffville. A passionate supporter of the arts, Gregory has operated the DOAHL Academy of dance in Markham for the past decade, serving as director, choreographer and CEO.

For the past six years, Gregory has also worked as a community support worker. Currently, he provides support to adults with intellectual disabilities through Community Living York South. Earlier, he worked with children with mental health challenges as well as at-risk youth.

Gregory is a strong believer in the resilience of his clients—and the enormous potential of our wider community. After decades of Conservative and Liberal mismanagement, he’s is committed to delivering the change we need as part of Tom Mulcair’s NDP team. With Tom, Gregory is ready to:

  • launch Tom Mulcair’s plan for affordable childcare—pay no more than $15 a day;
  • create good, middle-class jobs through hiring incentives for small businesses;
  • secure your retirement by protecting workplace pensions and growing the CPP.

Gregory understands the challenges facing hardworking families and vulnerable individuals in our community. As our next MP, he’s committed to fighting for our needs—and to building a fairer, more prosperous Canada where no one is left behind.

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Dolmine Laguerre
Dolmine Laguerre

NDP

Dolmine Laguerre
QCBourassa

Solide leader qui connaît les intérêts des citoyens de sa communauté, Dolmine Laguerre est fière d’avoir la chance de pouvoir représenter la circonscription de Bourassa au sein de l’équipe de Tom Mulcair.

À ses côtés, elle souhaite rendre la vie plus abordable pour les familles de la classe moyenne et favoriser la création d’emploi dans les PME.

Diplômée en techniques juridiques, elle travaille au sein du ministère de la Justice depuis 2009. Établie au Canada depuis plus de 20 ans, elle est prête à amener son expérience et sa détermination au Parlement afin de réparer les erreurs de Stephen Harper auprès du NPD.

Elle entend continuer à lutter contre les compressions conservatrices de 36 milliards de dollars en santé et dans l’assurance-emploi auprès du NPD. Elle appuie également la proposition du NPD d’investir dans des services de garderie abordable partout au pays.

Mère de trois enfants, elle est déterminée à livrer la marchandise pour les familles de Bourassa et à continuer le travail entamé  par le NPD.

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Kedina Fleury-Samson
Kedina Fleury-Samson

Block Quebecois

Source: http://www.blocquebecois.org/equipe-2015/candidats/

AVIGNON–LA MITIS–MATANE–MATAPÉDIA

Kédina Fleury-Samson

Kédina Fleury-Samson poursuit actuellement une maîtrise en psychosociologie à l’Université du Québec à Rimouski. La population de Mont-Joli la connaît pour son travail de reporter à la télévision et comme conseillère municipale. Récemment, Mme Fleury-Samson fut représentante Jeune entrepreneure au CLD de La Mitis et depuis l’an dernier, elle occupe le poste de directrice générale de la compagnie de divertissement MitisHD.

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Don Woodstock
Don Woodstock

Green Party

Source: https://www.greenparty.ca

Don Woodstock

Winnipeg Centre

[email protected]

Don Woodstock was born and raised on a farm in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. He attended the University of Technology, Jamaica, where he obtained certification in real estate law. He also received a diploma in Business Studies from the Institute of Management and Production in Kingston, Jamaica.

Don immigrated to Canada in 1995, and has lived in Winnipeg since 1999. In 2001, Don received a Homebuilders Certificate program for new home sales in Winnipeg. Don presently works as a Winnipeg Transit operator and runs his own home automation and security business.

In 2002, Don was moved by Dr. David Suzuki’s “If I were Prime Minister” tour, which led him to become an environmental activist, lobbying Winnipeg City Hall to ban plastic bags and promote reusable bags, change Garbage Day to Recycle Day, and advocate for the larger recyclable bins that are currently used today. He has produced and written his own environmental documentaries, and was featured as a Community Leader in the Finding Solutions magazine.

Don is an active member in his community: he organizes the “Lipton Street Block Party,” sings carols to Seniors in care homes at Christmas time, and is an Urban Knights’ Captain. Along with former Winnipeg Blue Bomber James Murphy, Don established a free football clinic for inner city kids, and with the assistance of The Winnipeg Foundation has created an Educational Scholarship Fund to help inner city kids to reach their full potential.

Don has been a resident of the West End community in Winnipeg for over four years, where he lives with the love of his life, Kathy. Don has two children: Julian, thirteen and Aspyn, ten.

Don is a strong advocate for environmental issues, and supports the Green Party of Canada because of their strong stands on issues including climate change, pollution reduction and transitioning to sustainable energy.

The Green Party of Canada is excited to have Don Woodstock as our candidate in the riding of Winnipeg Centre.

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Fodé Kerfalla Yansanée
Fodé Kerfalla Yansanée

Green Party

[email protected]

When Fodé Kerfalla Yansané arrived in Canada in 1995, penniless, he faced the harsh realities of immigration. Determined to complete advanced studies, he worked nights to finance his education.

After he graduated, he worked for the Quebec Ministry of Municipal Affairs, at the “Sous-ministériat aux politiques et à la concertation métropolitaine”, where he was responsible for file analysis on land-use planning of the Regional County Municipalities (MRC). As a volunteer, he served on the Planning Advisory Committee for the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough in Montreal.

In November 2013, he participated as an independent candidate in the municipal election in Chambly, with the particular objective to find the most respectful and sustainable behaviors for urban management and, in general, for the environment.

Fodé is very proud to be part of the Green Party of Canada team in 2015, and looks forward to working with constituents to build a more equal, sustainable and innovative economy and society.

The Green Party of Canada is excited to have Fodé Kerfalla Yansané as our candidate in the riding of Beloeil-Chambly.

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Raheem Aman

Raheem Aman

Green Party

Hamilton Mountain

Raheem is a fourth year undergraduate student at McMaster University, enrolled in honors Justice, Political Philosophy and Law in the Faculty of Humanities. Raheem’s dream is to become an Environmental Lawyer and to become the first elected Green Member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain.

Raheem was born in Mississauga, Ontario, to Barbadian and Jamaican parents. He is an avid environmentalist, cyclist, and vegetarian.

Raheem Aman has received a number of academic scholarships and bursaries, including the Berlingieri, Barrafato, Fortino, Barristers & Solicitors Award, the Law Award from the Ontario Justice Education Network, the Ontario Scholar Award, and the Director’s Award of Excellence. At McMaster University, he was a member of the McMaster Pre-Law Society, the McMaster JPPL Society, and the McMaster Debate Society. He also served as Editor-at-Large for the McMaster Undergraduate Journal of Law and Politics and was a finalist in a Corporate Law Competition held by CLAUSE. Most recently, he has been elected to the position of third-year representative of the Justice, Political Philosophy and Law Society and now as the Vice President of Finance for that same club.

The Green Party of Canada is excited to have Raheem Aman as our candidate in the riding of Hamilton Mountain.

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John Akpata is one Ottawa-area candidate running his campaign on a shoestring budget.

Source: Ottawa Metro News

Marijuana Party

John Akpata is one Ottawa-area candidate running his campaign on a shoestring budget.

John Akpata is going to film his campaign ads in his kitchen and release them on Facebook.

It’s part of the Ottawa Centre Marijuana Party candidate’s strategy to spend a grand total of zero, zip, nada on his campaign.

This is Akpata’s fifth barebones race. In 2011, he won 326 votes in Ottawa Centre – all without spending a dime.

“Vote per vote, the Conservatives, the Liberals, the NDP wish they had that return,” he boasted.

Akpata is under no illusion he can defeat incumbent NDP MP Paul Dewar but wants to prove you don’t need cash to participate in politics.

“Everyone who wants to run should be able to run and it shouldn’t cost them anything,” he said.