Platform

LINK ETHNIC CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE WITH THE LIBERAL PARTY/ CHANGE HOW THE PARTY FUNDRAISES IN COMMUNITIES

One of the most prominent ways that politically active immigrants network is through local Chambers of Commerce. Most of these Chambers of Commerce is full of supporters of the Liberal Party. Recognizing this, and recognizing the need for Canada to be a place where different communities can exist in harmony, I intend to establish closer ties between the various Chambers. Networking these Ethno cultural chambers will promote strong ethnic business and bring communities into cooperation. I will also link the Chambers through a closer formal association between the Chambers and the Liberal Party. In doing this, I intend to drastically increase the ability of the Liberal Party to fundraise in these communities by using the vast tools and contacts already present in these Chambers of Commerce.

PROMOTE THE ABILITY OF NEW IMMIGRANTS TO INTERGRATE EFFECTIVELY

New Immigrants are a drastically underutilized resource in this great country. Recognizing lost opportunities, and also understanding the need for more professionals in this country, I will pursue a review of the foreign professional's degree accreditation process. The program will quicken the review process to build the number of professionals in key fields and to better facilitate the integration of immigrants into this country. As a follow up to this, I intend to foster the small mentor programs that have emerged in recent years to further assist in the integration of new immigrants to Canada.

CROSS CULTURAL ETHNIC GROUPS

Right after the November Convention the party will switch into a " getting ready election 2004" mode. As Multicultural Chair, I will create a Multicultural elections readiness team. Composed of key Liberals from each major Ethnic group, this team will serve three functions: one, to advise the National election readiness team on policy and platform issues, Two, to build up a volunteer base to support candidates in specific ridings. Three, to identify ridings where ethnic votes will make the difference between winning and losing and then using the community connection to get out the ethnic vote in these ridings. Most of the focus of this elections readiness team will be focused in ridings in Western Canada, where ethnic votes could win a significant number of ridings for the Liberal Party and undermine the alliance core support.With the high level of ethnic Liberals in British Columbia, for example, I know that the Liberal party can breakthrough into Western Canada.

BE A VISIBLE POSITIVE REPRESENTATIVE OF ETHNIC CANADA

One of the most important responsibilities, I will uphold as of the Multicultural Chair of the National Executive will be to be visible to media and to all members of the Liberal Party to demonstrate that ethnic minorities are intelligent, insightful, resourceful, and a useful part of the Liberal Party of Canada. Since September 11th, there has been an increasing fear, born out by recent statistics that show an increase of violence against minorities. This is coupled with a general surge in ignorant views of minorities in some sections of Canada. The role of EVERY Multicultural Chair of the Liberal Party of Canada should be to combat ignorance and intolerance by being a positive and visible role model.