Wednesday 23 May 2018

Ontario Liberal Party Candidate for Whitby Says She Knows How to Ask the Right Questions


By Francine Buchner

[I am sharing this story written earlier this year by my colleague, Francine Buchner, about Ontario Liberal Party candidate in Whitby, Leisa Washington. It was written for the North American Weekly Gleaner.]

Photo contributed     Leisa Washington, Liberal, Whitby
 
Whitby candidate, Leisa Washington, was born in Canada to Jamaican parents - her mother is from St. Elizabeth and father from Spanish Town. 

From being the first female agent for Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and agent for the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2014, Washington is hoping to find success in the June 7 elections. 

Washington, who is a newcomer in the political arena, says overcoming challenges is something that she is used to. 

Her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. As a six year old, she had a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders. 

Washington said she knows how to negotiate and she knows how to advocate. "I know how to ask the right questions," she said. 

She said that she negotiated and advocated for the rights and worth of her players, and plans to do the same for her constituents, if she gets elected. 

"You're dealing with sports and athletes and money - dollars, endorsement deals, marketing deals and now, I'm going to be advocating and leading a community for fairness and opportunity to build an inclusive and just society," said Washington. 

Washington's campaign is centred on "more effective change," "equality, fairness and opportunity" for everyone. 

She said that she would be focusing on better transportation, creating jobs and an employment hub and social housing, make life more affordable - an inclusive and just society. 

Washington spent five years working with Abilities Centre, a charitable organisation. 

She said that she wants to be heard so that the communities that she has served can be heard. 

She established Camda Sports Foundation, which focuses to provide opportunities for struggling youth helping them to achieve their goals and dreams in sport, education, arts or music, as well as helping to relieve poverty by providing financial assistance. 

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