As MPP For Carleton, I Am Proud Of This Community For Large Remembrance Day Turn Out

By Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton

It’s important to engage our youth in the full spectrum of politics

Last week, I was invited to speak to Civics class students at two local high schools.

The teachers reached out and asked me to talk to their classes about what it means to be a Member of Provincial Parliament, and the different ways in which a local politician and his or her constituency office serve the people in the community.

Speaking to young people about politics is something that is very important and often overlooked in what the role of a politician is.

I don’t mean politicians should talk to students to try to persuade them or influence them politically. We need to talk to students to engage them and to be interested in the political process. Many of these students are getting ready to vote for the first time in their lives. Maybe in some households, this is seen as insignificant and unnecessary. But to others, the right to vote means everything. Some people in the community have fled oppression and have risked their lives for the right to live in a country where you can vote and have a voice. That was the situation my family was in when they escaped the tyranny of the IRGC in Iran and landed in Canada when I was just a year old.

My political journey began as a way to give back and to show my appreciation to a wonderful country that has given my family and other refugee families opportunity and a life that we could never have dreamed of under a terrorist regime.

My message to students is bipartisan. It would be irresponsible and unethical for me or any other politician to try to influence students in any direction or impose my beliefs upon them.

It is important that teachers who have politics as part of their course material take the same approach. Teachers should not try to sway their students in a political direction. We have seen too much of this going on at schools and universities in the past few years. There are always at least two viewpoints, and if a teacher imposes his of her views on students, they can drown out the voice of the conflicting side. Students withdraw and feel uncomfortable, especially if, as an example, there is a very left-leaning teacher preaching their viewpoints to students who come from right-leaning families, or vice versa. The student is then caught in a situation where discussions in the classroom conflict with discussions at the dinner table.

In a classroom, students will also be afraid or intimidated to express a viewpoint in a classroom not in line with their teacher. Students are encouraged to feel free about their sexuality or gender identity. They should also feel free to express their political opinions in a Civics class.

But if students can be exposed to politics in an unbiased manner, they can formulate their own opinions without being influenced by the views of others, be it their peers, their teachers, or guest speakers like I had the opportunity to be. Unbiased discussions on politics in appropriate classroom settings and learning about all viewpoints, from liberal to conservate to the extremes on each side, will give students a greater awareness of what is happening in the world, why it is happening, and also create a political baseline for them to develop their own political belief system.

I want to offer my sincere thanks to the teachers and students at both schools for inviting me to speak to them about why it is so important to become engaged in politics.

My objective in these scenarios is not to turn young people into conservate or liberal thinkers.

My objective is to turn them into voters.

Remembrance Day

There are a number of Remembrance Day services in the area coming up before and on November 11^th. On Sat., Nov. 9, Vernon (9 a.m.) and Kenmore (1 p.m.)  will hold their Remembrance Day ceremonies, while on Sun., Nov. 10, Metcalfe (11 a.m.), Kars (11:30 a.m.) and North Gower (1 p.m.) hold their ceremonies. On Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, ceremonies will take place in Greely (10:45 a.m.), Manotick (11 a.m.), Richmond (11 a.m.), and Stittsville (2 p.m.).

One of the things I am most proud of in Carleton is the strong turnouts that Remembrance Day services draw. People I talk to throughout the province are always surprised to learn that a village the size of Manotick attracts approximately 1500 people each year to Dickinson Square for their ceremony.

Richmond also packs the square at Perth and McBean Streets with the crowd spilling out of the park and across the street.

Poppy Protocol

Throughout the Remembrance Period, Poppies are worn as a symbol of respect to honour our veterans. While wearing a poppy is a personal expression and how to wear it is an individual choice, the Legion has provided us with some guidelines on poppy protocol.

• The Poppy should be worn with respect on the left side, over the heart. Also available through some Branches is the Legion’s reusable black centre Poppy pin to affix your lapel Poppy.
• The lapel Poppy should be worn during the Remembrance period, from the last Friday in October until November 11. The Legion encourages the wearing of poppies at funerals of veterans, and for any commemorative event such as a memorial service, or the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
• Poppies may be worn throughout the Remembrance period, including in the evening after Remembrance Day Ceremony. Some choose to remove their Poppy at the end of the day on November 11. Some choose to remove their Poppy at the conclusion of the ceremony and place their Poppy on the cenotaph or on a wreath as a sign of respect. This has become a poignant tradition each year at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa as thousands of Poppies are placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• When a Poppy is removed, it should be stored appropriately or it may be disposed of respectfully. We encourage anyone who finds a Poppy that has fallen to the ground to pick it up and brush it off so that it can be kept or disposed of respectfully.
• While Poppies are always free, The Royal Canadian Legion gratefully accepts donations to the Poppy Fund, which directly supports Canada’s Veterans and their families in need.

Ontario Strengthening Supports to Combat Hate and Create Safer Communities

The Ontario government is addressing the rise of hate incidents and keeping communities safe across the province through the new Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant. This program was developed to help faith-based and cultural organizations implement measures to ensure their community spaces remain safe and secure.

The grant provides up to $10,000 to eligible community organizations to help them protect their spaces from hate-motivated incidents, graffiti, vandalism or other damage. Grant funding can be used for measures such as hiring security staff, surveillance cameras, security assessments, cybersecurity and building repairs.

The Anti-Hate Security Prevention Grant application portal opens on October 31, 2024, and closes on December 2, 2024. Previous grant recipients are encouraged to apply again for 2024-25. Organizations can review eligibility and learn more at Ontario.ca/AHSP.

Eligible organizations include:

• Religious and spiritual communities (e.g., mosques, synagogues, temples, churches, etc.)
• First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Indigenous organizations
• Cultural groups (e.g., 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups, Black, Asian and other diverse organizations offering programs, workshops and ceremonies that promote their communities’ cultures)

A complete list can be found at Ontario.ca/AHSP

Quick Facts

• Indigenous, Black, Muslim, Jewish and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities have been among the most targeted groups of hate crimes in recent years. There were more than 2,400 police-reported hate crimes incidents in Ontario in 2023.
• The 2022-2024 Safer and Vital Communities Grant program will help 17 community-based, not-for-profit organizations and First Nations Chiefs and Band Councils, support projects that prevent online hate crime, human trafficking and fraud.

Inspiration for the week

“When you have a dream, you have to grab it and never let go.”

• Carol Burnett

Office Notice:

My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

Goldie

Your voice at Queen’s Park