By Ken Herar
As many of us may feel fatigued from election burnout, its an important time to reflect and nurture our democracy. As a councillor with the City of Mission, I know firsthand the demands of the position and applaud all candidates who’ve put their name forth. Reflecting on my campaign bid for a council seat during the fall of 2018, as a South Asian candidate, It was important for me to extend my campaign beyond my skin tone. Whether, I was elected or not, I did not want to leave a lasting impression that public service is restrictive in its ability to exceed cultural boundaries. I’ve always made a consensus effort to campaign against the very notion that creating a scenario that divides our community ethnically or culturally puts us a step backwards in time. We must ask our future leaders who may seek a political seat, how can we inspire the electorate without the impression of dividing individuals according to race. Maybe I’m reading way too much into this but I feel much work is still necessary.
The next fast approaching scheduled election taking place a year from now, being our municipal election. The impression of past elections is that campaigns are very divided on how they want to show their support by keeping our community divided. For example, I rarely see a collective effort of different cultural faces and voices being showcased at any one given time through photographs or other campaign materials capturing the imagination that we’re all one in our diversity. With this information, you could possibly examine this as a race struggle that needs correction. Volunteers should include a variety of races, genders, ages and differing social classes. Campaign offices should be welcoming and not adding further divisions.
If campaigns are mindful of these factors, the very game of politics won’t be allowed to divide us. I’d like to offer my congratulations to councillor elect, Dave Sidhu, in his by election victory.
Dustin Lee Hiles, long-time Mission resident, who served as a special assistant to Canada’s longest serving Speaker, the Hon. Peter Milliken PC, OC. Hiles is currently a senior advisor to Vancouver Mayoral Candidate Mark Marissen and has enjoyed a successful career as an international opera singer. Hiles said, “politics is about bringing people together, fostering and building relationships with businesses, ethniclly diverse communities and the general population. To often wedge issues focused on race, gender, sexuality, or religion are used to divide and confuse the electorate. Having worked first hand on many campaigns across Canada, since 2003, I’ve seen a huge shift in the way we campaign.”
“It’s become meaner, more American and lacking in compassion. People who put their names forward for election, regardless of political strip, most often want to help others. My opinions on how to do that maybe drastically different from yours but at the end of the day we are all human. And each one is deserving of Love and respect.”
“In the words of my teacher Lama Zopa Rinpoche “the purpose of life is to benefit others” and I think these wise words are something all politicians and people in general, should take to heart.” Hiles said.
Ken Herar is a Mission City councilor and columnist.
