From Irwin Elman NDP Candidate In Don Valley West
Dear Thorncliffe Park,
For those of you who haven’t met me yet, my name is Irwin Elman. I am running as your NDP candidate for Don Valley West and I want to represent your voice in the Ontario legislature.
I am writing with love and respect to seek your support and your vote for me as your representative at Queen’s Park on June 2, 2022. I vow to amplify your voices to better this community and enhance your quality of life. I am here to support you, to ensure we see positive changes in our community.
This letter is printed in English, Urdu, Pashto and Farci – the top 4 languages in Thorncliffe Park. I know that over 40 languages are used in the neighbourhood. If you speak one of these languages, please help us by reading this letter to others in your community.
For those who celebrate, Ramadan Mubarak! May Allah always guide you throughout your journey in life. I hope this Ramadan infuses you with courage to help you triumph over the adversities of life. May this Ramadan bring peace, security, happiness, prosperity and fulfillment to you, your families, friends and those who are facing atrocities in our world.
Thorncliffe Park has a strong network of grassroots leaders and community members who work to build one another up. But these community efforts can only go so far when the government is not doing its part. Thorncliffe Park is a community that deserves better from provincial leaders.
You may have seen me in your apartment building, at Iqbal, R.V. Burgess, or the Town Centre food court. I am spending a lot of time in Thorncliffe Park because I want to get to know you as a community. I have learned it is one of the most unique neighbourhoods in the world. Home to the largest Muslim population outside of the Muslim world, and home to many more diverse cultures and ethnicities.
I have heard from residents that despite being educated, people in Thorncliffe Park make less money than those in other parts of Toronto but still pay high rents, and that housing quality is an issue. I, too, spent many years of my life renting an apartment in Don Valley West, living from pay cheque to pay cheque, worrying about rent increases every year.
As a partner, father and community advocate, I understand what it is to work so hard to build a good and meaningful life in Canada. I see parents doing whatever they can, living through much trauma to come to Canada to ensure their children have the best education, health care and opportunities
.
- Every child should have a high-quality education and what they need to thrive and flourish.
- Every family should have affordable, high-quality housing.
- Every internationally trained professional should be able to practice their profession here in Canada.
- Every resident should have access to high-quality health care, free of racism.
- Every resident should feel a sense of belonging, inclusion, and contentment, including those who cannot legally vote — you are a part of this community and I want to hear what you have to say.
I’d like to tell you a little bit more about me so you know the journey that has brought me here and why I know I can serve Thorncliffe Park. You can also visit my website at: www.TheElman.com.
In 2009–2019 I was unanimously appointed by the Ontario Legislature as the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth. As an Officer of the Legislature, I was responsible for partnering with the most vulnerable children, youth and families in Ontario to ensure their voices were heard and their rights respected.
I learned to listen and to respectfully make a plan to help the person get to where they needed to be. I learned how to bring diverse peoples together to focus on the issues and find solutions. I honed the skills needed to serve the people of Thorncliffe Park.
I have been working for a better community, a better Province and a better world since I was a teenager. As a child living in a part of Ottawa like Thorncliffe Park, I witnessed my Mom working long hours, trying to pay the rent and put food on the table, all while looking after three children. Her devotion taught us discipline, commitment and determination. Mom also taught us that while it was not our responsibility to try to save the world, we were not exempt from trying.
Thorncliffe Park has never elected an NDP MPP but the time has come. The June 2 provincial election offers you the opportunity to make history and begin a new chapter in provincial government. One where the government is held accountable for every decision that it makes.
I want to be part of a government that centers every decision on the well-being of people. Every decision. The NDP was created for exactly this purpose. It’s time for Change for the Better. Let’s take the journey together.
I want to hear from you. Please feel free to connect with me at Irwin.elman@ontariondp.ca
Irwin