Jamaican Groups Optimistic About Canada's Election Outcome

By Neil Armstrong

Photo contributed    Yvette Blackburn, a member of the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board

The Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board and the Jamaican Canadian Association are optimistic about the prospects of Canada’s recently elected Liberal-led minority government.

On October 21, the Liberals won 157 seats -- just 13 short of gaining the majority they had – and will need the support of at least one other party to pass legislation. The Conservatives won 121 seats, Bloc Quebecois 32, New Democrats 24, Greens 3, Independent 1, and People’s Party none.

Yvette Blackburn, a member of the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board in Canada, says having the Liberals working with the New Democrats in a balance of power situation will actually aid the organization because they are two parties that, for the most part, put issues regarding Jamaica and the diaspora at the forefront.

“We know that [Justin] Trudeau has formally sent his immigration minister out to Jamaica to have discussions with regard to better ways to expedite aspects of the visa process and travel, etc., -- some pieces I’ve been working on so I can see that continuing.

“We know that Jagmeet [Singh] and the NDP are also primed to our issues and concerns when we think about aspects of investment, the economy, environment -- with what’s going on even with the Cockpit issues in Jamaica. I think we have ears that will be far more readily attuned to be able to assist us in being able to bridge the divides and being able to provide greater assistance in areas.”

Blackburn says the Jamaican community is in a unique position because Trudeau was very reliant on the immigrant population, especially the Black immigrant population coming from the Caribbean, “so I do believe that we can bend his ear a little bit more readily in the sense of listening to our issues and concerns.”

She says her group will have to “take advantage with all that took place and played out prior to the election to be able to show the value and be able to ensure that the Canadian government is also ready to look at one of its larger constituents who were there and support it.”

Photo contributed   Adaoma Patterson, president of the Jamaican Canadian Association

Meanwhile, the Jamaican Canadian Association has congratulated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for winning a second mandate.

“We also salute all candidates who put their name forward in this election, especially those from our community. JCA looks forward to working with the government and all parties to address issues affecting our community,” says Adaoma Patterson, president of the JCA.

She noted that as a commitment to the International Decade of People of African Descent the Jamaican Canadian Association anticipates further investments that “mitigate the impact of systemic racism, improve or expand our cultural centres, and support our youth.”

In January 2018, the prime minister announced that Canada officially recognized the UN International Decade for People of African Descent spanning from 2015 to 2024.

On July 23, 2019, an engagement session was held with almost 40 stakeholder organizations representing a diverse range of Black communities and interests across Canada. Participants signaled support for the creation of a national institute dedicated to looking at issues that affect Black communities.

The government noted that the establishment of a Canadian Institute for People of African Descent would support Canada’s commitment to the Decade by advancing initiatives to address issues that affect Black communities.

The Jamaican Canadian Association sees this election outcome of a minority government as an opportunity for all parties work together to make life better for all Canadians.

“We hope to see significant progress on increasing the number of affordable housing units available to low-income families, funding for culturally appropriate mental health initiatives and support for start ups and small businesses including access to federal contracts,” says Patterson.

 She noted that the JCA is interested in greater supports for international students.

“Recent reports and our consultations identify the struggle many international students are facing and the difficulty in gaining permanent residency once they complete their studies. Funding specific services that address mental health, settlement and integration while removing onerous rules for temporary and permanent residence are important investments.”

On election night, Operation Black Vote Canada, a nonprofit and multi-partisan organization that supports the election of Black people to public office, congratulated the five Black or Caribbean candidates that were elected.

Photo contributed   Ahmed Hussen of York South-Weston and Greg Fergus of Hull-Aylmer in conversation with Justin Trudeau

Four were re-elected from the Liberal Party: Greg Fergus of Hull-Aylmer, Ahmed Hussen of York South-Weston, Dr. Hedy Fry of Vancouver Centre, and Emmanuel Dubourg of Bourassa. Matthew Green of Hamilton Centre was the only Black candidate who won from the New Democratic Party.

Fergus, who was first elected in the 2015 federal election and whose grandfather immigrated to Canada from Montserrat, was also president of the federal Black Caucus. Somalia-born Hussen served as Canada’s minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship since 2017. 

Photo credit: Eddie Grant     Dr. Hedy Fry of Vancouver Centre

Dr. Fry, who was born in Trinidad and is the longest serving female MP in Canadian history, has now won nine consecutive mandates since 1993. Haiti-born Dubourg has been a member of parliament for Bourassa in Quebec since 2013.

Photo contributed    Emmanuel Dubourg of Bourassa

In 2014, Green was elected the city councillor for Ward 3 in Hamilton – the first Black person to be elected to the council -- and after serving four years decided to seek election as Member of Parliament for Hamilton-Centre for the NDP.

“Let’s create a world where no one is left behind. Together, we can: save our environment and tackle catastrophic climate change, restore dignified affordable housing, and fight for fair economies,” said Green in his campaign platform.

Green follows in the footsteps of veteran politician David Christopherson, who has represented the riding of Hamilton Centre for the NDP in the House of Commons since 2004. 

Photo contributed     Matthew Green of Hamilton-Centre

In July 2018, Christopherson announced his plan to retire at the end of the 42nd Canadian Parliament and to not seek re-election in the 2019 federal election.

Christopherson and Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath attended Green’s victory celebration on the night of the election.

[An edited version of this story has been published in the North American Weekly Gleaner, Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2019.]