TORONTO: Nine candidates of South Asian origin have so far been nominated by three political parties to contest the June 8 provincial elections in Ontario, Five of them are the candidates of the ruling New Democratic Party. They are Zenia Wadhwani (Mississauga East Janaki Balakrishnan (Willow dale) and Dan Shekhar (Mississauga West), all of whom are of Indian origin Fatch (Scarborough) of Pakistani descent and Osman Ali (Humber-Etobicoke), of Somalian origin but of Indian extraction. he Liberal Party candidates are Kris Partiban (Don Mills) and Bhagat Tagger (Scarborough), both of Indian and Khalid Usman (Markham) of Pakistani origin. The Progressive Conservative party has nominated Dani Variach (York view), of Indian origin.

The ruling party of Premier Bob Rac is trailing with 21 percent in the opinion poll: One of the most controversial initiatives taken by Rae’s government is the social contract under which workers” have sustained almost 5 percent cut in their income, That apparently caused disaffection among the voters, Racs defense is that either many people would have to lose their jobs or, to cut deficit financing, they have to lose a part of their wages, PC leader Mike Harris, meanwhile, has promised to cut income taxes by 30 percent and also promises to get struggling economy back on track by removing barriers to job creation, starting with the removal of the payroll tax.

NDP candidates are saying the PC leader’s proposal for a 30 percent cut in income tax just not possible. “There’s already a problem of deficit financing,” Wadhwani says, “Where from will Mike Harris raise additional revenue to make up for loses to the Treasury through a 30 percent cut indirect taxes?”

Opinion polls have put the Liberal Party in the lead with a47 percent following. According to sources, their action plan is to target youth between 17 and 25 years creating. 119,00 jobs for them.

Fateh, seeking the provincial seat for Scarborough, is assistant to Rac. Ina recent interview ne Claimed ne worked: closely with Citizenship Minister Elaine Ziemba in writing employment equity legislation that has benefited all targeted groups minorities, women, disabled people, and aboriginal,

Ali DP candidate for the Humber Etobicoke riding, argues in a written statement, “I believe Bob Rae stands Ali, N’ our educational for something all of us care deeply about He and I agree our health care system, our care for seen to opportunities our job creation programs, are vitally important and must be protected, “

The Ontario elections are very significant for South Asians, as well for other minorities and for the country as a whole: Around 60 percent of all South Asians live in Ontario, the most heavily populated province of Canada with around 11 million populations out of a total of 28 million. Forty percent of the country’s economy is generated by Ontario, The NDP, a socialist party, was elected to power in Ontario for the first time in 1990.

Murad Velshi was the first South Asian ever elected to the Ontario legislature, in 1987. He was defeated during the last election.

There are three Indian Canadian sitting members of the national Parliament in Ottawa,

Many Indians also hold offices of political parties. Among them is Sundarshan Berri, an insurance agent, president of the Liberal Party Association in the Scarborough Again court riding. The candidate there is former minister Gerry Phillips, a popular figure among minorities. Murthy Ghandikota, a geologist and community activist, is vice president of the Liberal Association in the riding of Oriole. Another minister in the former Liberal government Eleanor Kaplan is a candidate from that riding. Out of 130 total members, the NDP has 69, Liberals 34, PC 21. There are two independents and four seats are: vacant in the current legislature. Job creation, auto insurance, welfare and education reform and health, care are major issues that concern the provincial voters.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> May 19, 1995