Hussein Abbas Al-Ali, Montreal

Voters of the LaSalle—Émard—Verdun federal electoral district (riding) are going to cast their ballots tomorrow (Monday) morning to elect a representative, following former Justice Minister David Lametti’s resignation. In time of every election, we ask an important question: Whom should we vote for? And on what grounds do we choose who represents us in Ottawa?

Our participation is crucial

Before we discuss what’s better for our community, we emphasise that the participation of every eligible voter in this district is crucial. After all, there’s going to be real change once we actively vote, regardless of the choices we make. That is, when parties review the voter turnout and realise that our community has participated effectively, they’ll keep us in mind in any coming election and won’t overlook that. Otherwise, we won’t be taken seriously. Eventually, those parties need to get the biggest number of votes for their candidates. In fact, there have been community members who balloted without examining the choices they’ve had.

Tomorrow, in the electoral district of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, tens of party candidates and independents are going to compete. However, opinion polls point out that 29% of voters are planning to vote for the Liberals, especially when most of the voters of the district have never voted for any other party. Polls also point out that 28% of voters are going to vote for the Bloc Québécois. The New Democrats are expected to come third, at 24%, then the Conservatives, the Green Party, the minor parties and the independents.

The slight differences between the three parties make it obvious that we need to take part in the elections and make it to the ballot boxes tomorrow so that we can choose the best candidate – the closest to our community. Eventually, the election outcome might change because of a few hundreds of votes, or even tens.

Whom do we choose?

As for the candidate that our community should vote for, we can tell it’s a matter of the candidates’ stances and the parties to which they belong, as well as their election manifestoes for the districts represented. We need to keep in mind the possibility of specific candidates winning the electoral race so that we figure out what to do.

If we consider, at this stage, that the Palestinian cause is a crucial issue, our best choice will be the NDP. After all, the NDP’s stances regarding this cause are clear, just like the opposite stances of the Liberals and Conservatives are known. The stances of the Bloc Québécois, are worrying, too, especially when it comes to Islamophobia-related issues.

While some people are not sure whether they should vote for the Liberals or the New Democrats, it should be enough to recall two particular events that occurred this week. The first was when the Liberal Party’s candidate for LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, Laura Palestini, tried visiting one of the electoral district’s biggest mosques during Friday’s prayers. Faced by the community members’ protests, she was forced to leave through the back door, just like she had come in through it. The second event was the attempt of a very prominent Liberal official to make up with a well-known community leader. The Liberal official asked something, and the answer was, “How can we even talk about any relations when your party has been standing by Israel since the beginning?!”

What we should know about Craig Sauvé

Craig Sauvé has been in good terms with our community for years, not only in time of elections, especially since he started working as Montréal city councillor. He has continuously advocated for the Palestinian cause, and during this electoral campaign, he has endured wide criticism for publishing a photo that’s with the Palestinian flag behind and that mentions “stopping the genocide in Gaza”.

When it comes to Sauvé’s election manifesto, it is the answer to our district’s needs, especially when he’s spent long years working as city councillor.

For years, he has maintained a relationship of respect and understanding with our community. In an interview on August 31^st, he told “Sada Online”: “I think that my record as a city councillor speaks for itself. I’ve been a regular presence at the three mosques in my district throughout my years as a councillor - not just at election time! Being an elected official is a duty that I take seriously, and a big part of that is actively going out into the community to hear people’s stories and concerns so that I can best advocate for them.” 

Let’s be clear here: He who has stood by our side all through his years in public service expects us to support him on such a day. Let’s keep in mind he has made principled stances in good faith rather than for his own interest. But if he doesn’t get our support, we’ll have to ask ourselves: What kind of letter are we sending to him except ungratefulness and letting him down in time of need?

To our dear community

Tomorrow, hurry to cast your ballots, even if they’re going to be blank. Let nothing delay you from doing this national duty. Let’s choose who represents us and speaks in our name, no matter what the results are. The stance we make in these challenging times is essential, and it is our way to show that we are there. I elect, therefore I am.