Olivia Chow, a Mayor for the people

Olivia Chow, a Mayor for the people

By Veronica Javier

I was a Master of Social Work (MSW) student when I completed my internship, (also known as practicum) at then Member of Parliament Olivia Chow’s constituency office in 2010.

It was important for me to involve myself with people and work that linked to my personal and research interest around what advocacy for immigration issues can look like, particularly as it relates to immigration issues for the Filipino-Canadian community like the Live-in Caregiver Program and the Temporary Workers Program. At the time of my internship, Olivia was the Critic for Citizenship and Immigration.

As an Asian woman seeing another Asian woman doing this work, I was awed and inspired by her. As an immigrant woman herself, she understood the experiences of migrating to Canada with her family. I watched her bring together workers, agencies and organizations and discuss the issues affecting immigrants.

I watched her rally folks to come together, build consensus, negotiate and speak up for folks being discriminated against.

This was what I witnessed in person. It was also amazing to see her bring to bear her full experiences in public office as a School Board Trustee starting in 1985; as a City Council starting in 1991 taking up issues around homeless, public transit, sustainable development; and as Member of Parliament starting in 2006 which included also being the Critic for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

It’s these experiences with her, and what I know about her that gets me very excited at the news of Olivia running for Mayor of Toronto.

Olivia Chow is a Mayor for the people. A Mayor from an immigrant background leading the city and pushing hard for exceptional services. A Mayor that will push-back against cuts to public transit and TTC fares increasing; and speak up for accessible housing and public transit.

Imagine a Mayor like us and for us. That is something to get excited about! I can hardly wait!