Food for the soul

Residents gather to share food, ideas with provincial, municipal candidates

Respect isn’t a word that comes to mind right away, when we consider the raucous muckraking that has been a feature of this provincial election.

So when I heard about an upcoming candidates’ meeting that called itself “Namaste,” which is a Sanskrit word meaning “I bow to you,” I was intrigued.

Organized by Mani Nair of Kitchener, it was an invitation to the local Indo-Canadian community to join in, whether as a candidate for elected office, or as an informed voter.

On Friday evening, about 70 people came to Victoria Park Pavilion in downtown Kitchener to hear from candidates for provincial and municipal office. Everyone was welcome, and many in the audience were of Indo-Canadian background.

“A lot of people don’t vote,” said Nair.

“I thought this would (bring) a good awareness. We can hear what the candidates have to say.”

The meeting started with provincial election candidates and then turned to a discussion for municipal election candidates, whose election is in October.

In between, guests were offered samosas and water.

So there was food for the body as well as the mind.

And what a mouthful of sanity it was to hear about things like the need to bring high-speed internet to rural communities, instead of accusations about which party may have accepted illegally purchased memberships, or which candidate had a picture of Hitler on her Facebook account.

Those things are important, of course. But when the shouting is all over, we’re going to be left with some big problems, and there has been precious little discussion of them.

Liberal candidate Joe Gowing, who is running in the urbanrural riding of Kitchener-Conestoga, said he’s learned that rural students need fast internet, and farmers need natural gas to make their operations more efficient.

“We take that (access to natural gas) for granted” in the cities, he said.

Stacey Danckert, running for the Green party in Kitchener Centre, reminded us that environment and economy go handin-hand. “We need healthy people in order to have a strong economy,” she said.

Narine Sookram, an independent candidate in Kitchener-South Hespeler, advocates for easier access to jobs for skilled immigrants and older workers, and making it easier to start a business.

“You do not have to join any party to be a successful person and do what’s right,” he said.

Laura Mae Lindo, the New Democratic Party candidate for

Kitchener Centre, shared her experience working with Wilfrid Laurier University students “on the margins,” including those who are disabled.

Progressive Conservative candidates did not attend.

And Daiene Vernile, the incumbent Liberal MPP for Kitchener Centre, perhaps offered the broadest view as voters seem to be preparing for a major shift in leadership at Queen’s Park.

“Every long-serving government has a record to answer for,” she said, as she described the province’s low unemployment rate, higher minimum wage, and other reforms.

“I really do believe actions speak louder than words,” she said. “I’m urging you to choose a strong local voice, someone you know and trust.”

Audience members were glad to have the opportunity to learn.

“I work in Toronto,” said Reva Devendran of Kitchener, a management consultant who heard about Friday’s meeting from the Hindu temple she attends.

She makes a “very long” trip to and from Toronto each day on the Greyhound bus.

So when she discovered the province plans for all-day twoway GO trains, she was pleased. “I’m looking forward to that.” Food for thought was generously provided on that warm Friday night.

And it’s what so many of us are really hungry for, as we prepare to make our decision.