TORONTO – First time ever a record 8 (eight) Bangladeshi-born candidates are contesting in the 44th general election in Canada to be held on September 20. They have been nominated by Canada’s mainstream political parties, such as, Liberal, Conservative, NDP and Green Party. 

Among them, Syed Mohsin and Mohsin Bhuiyan from the Conservative in the constituency of Surrey-Newton and Scarborough Southwest respectively, Gulshan Akter from NDP in Calgary Confederation and Sonny Mir from Green in Oshawa for the first time as well as Afroza Hossain from Liberal in Oshawa and Faiz Kamal from NDP in Scarborough Centre as their second time, while both Nameer Rahman in Niagara West and Khalis Ahmed in Calgary Nose Hill constituency from NDP put themselves for the third time, although none have ever been elected before as an MP.

Yet, they are ambitious, motivated, and entrusted to their party platforms, including individual capabilities, ideas and smartly responded to the interview questions about public programs and services, thus expected luck and support.

As questioned to each of these candidate separately about what they think are some of the main issues voters find important and relevant and if elected, how they would deal with these issues as well as why people should elect them as best candidate, they gave following responses.

Syed Mohsin (Conservative – Surrey-Newton): Canadians deserve an economic recovery plan that will help us take care of everyone in our community. A conservative government will adopt a responsible and measured approach to balance the budget over the next decade. We need to rein in deficits to address inflation and the rising cost of necessities like groceries and gas. By tackling our economic priorities, we can ensure we can continue to invest in things like childcare, mental health services and social programs, for which I am an enthusiast.

Mohsin Bhuiyan (Conservative – Scarborough Southwest): The residents of Scarborough Southwest have been complaining about the lack of representation from the current MP. I will be responsive to everyone that contacts my office if elected. I live here, work here, and active here. I share your values and concerns and am ready to serve the diverse needs of all residents.

Gulshan Akter (NDP – Calgary Confederation): Working with numerous non-profit organizations, I helped the underprivileged and provided opportunities for professional development. I am an advocate for environment and feel the urgency in this time of extreme heat, massive wildfires, and flooding. Thus, I pledge to continue this work at the federal level, for working people and marginalized communities in Calgary Confederation. I am passionate about ensuring families have the support systems to effectively balance their children’s needs with the demands created by being in the workforce.

Sonny Mir (Green – Oshawa): If elected I would work towards achieving Net-zero emissions; Investment in housing guaranteed livable income; Post-secondary education and childcare; Universal pharmacare; Drugs & addiction; Mental health support; Seniors; Health; Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; Tackling identity-based hate; Immigration and refugee issues; Democratic reform; Criminal justice reform; Arts, Culture and Heritage. Because, coming from a middle-class family in Ontario, I have worked with students, youth, immigrants, community members, and local leaders. I am compassionate and enthusiastic.

Afroza Hossain (Liberal – Oshawa): Affordable housing and childcare, as well as ending chronic homelessness and the opioid crisis are key issues in Oshawa. The Liberal Party is going to build more houses, create a rent-to-own program, stop renovictions, implement $10/day childcare and invest in mental health for all Canadians. I am fighting to build a better Oshawa. I know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet. And I believe no one, whether a new immigrant or a fifth generation Canadian, should struggle so hard to succeed.

(NDP – Scarborough Centre): If elected, I pledge to diligently improve housing, transportation, and health care in Scarborough Centre, where increased cost of living is causing people to struggle with rent and young people are giving up on trying owning a home in their own communities. I will introduce and work to pass bills that will improve the affordability crisis in Scarborough. My focus will be on housing, healthcare, jobs and making sure Scarborough gets the support the diverse community needs during a pandemic recovery.

Nameer Rahman (NDP – Niagara West): What I’m hearing at the door, and what I’m hearing as a consistent theme, is affordability. Affordability for seniors, and for our agricultural sector. We’re at the stage where we’ve seen families in our middle class give more than they’ve given before, and they’re not necessarily getting more back. One of the reasons I wanted to step forward as a candidate is to say, we can do better. We don’t have to pit members of different communities against each other.

Khalis Ahmed (NDP – Calgary Nose Hill): I want to build a country where people have good jobs and can make ends meet. And no one is left behind. I am fighting to make life more affordable for families and seniors, improve access to healthcare, including pharmacare, more housing and better home care services. I will be a strong voice for you in Ottawa.