Pakistan-born Hai, who’s running in Mount Pearl-Southlands in the May 16 election, said he hopes more diversity in politics will encourage others
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing diversity is not yet reflected in its overwhelmingly white slate of elected officials — something Hasan Hai, a Liberal candidate in the upcoming provincial election, hopes will change.
He said it was a special moment to see the pride in his own children’s faces when he stood with Liberal party incumbents and candidates as premier Dwight Ball dropped the election writ last month. But Bittner said Newfoundland and Labrador does have to contend with the “Come From Away” factor, which she describes as “the notion that folks who are not ‘from here’ don’t get a say in how things work.”
Hai said campaigning and meeting with voters has been an overwhelmingly positive experience, but he hasn’t been spared from — mostly anonymous — racist vitriol online. “You single me out in this election just because you want to cast that fear and doubt, I guess it reveals the motive behind it,” he said by phone.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Liberal candidate hopes he'll reflect more diversity among N.L. politiciansNewfoundland and Labrador's growing diversity is not yet reflected in its overwhelmingly white slate of elected officials -- something Hasan Hai, a Liberal candidate in the upcoming provincial election, hopes will change.
Read more »
Former Star Liberal Candidate Won’t Run For Re-Election This FallThe retired lieutenant-general was recruited by the Grits four years ago.
Read more »
Conservatives break fundraising record, outpace Liberals on candidate recruitment as election loomsThe party hauled in just over $8 million from the beginning of the year to the end of March
Read more »
Trudeau taps veteran Jeremy Broadhurst to run Liberal re-election campaignBroadhurst, who is currently serving as chief of staff to Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, is to take on new duties as national campaign director by May 13
Read more »
Trudeau taps veteran Jeremy Broadhurst to run Liberal re-election campaignBroadhurst, who is currently serving as chief of staff to Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, is to take on new duties as national campaign director by May 13
Read more »
N.L. grad student produces plastic alternative from fish gutsA chemistry student at Newfoundland’s Memorial University may have discovered an alternative to plastic using oil extracted from fish heads, intestines and other such waste products.
Read more »
N.L. fire chief hopes to replace rusted, aging pickup used as fire truckA Newfoundland volunteer fire department is asking for provincial funds to replace the rusted, ramshackle pickup truck it's used as a fire truck for decades.
Read more »
Liberal candidate challenges 'Come From Away' bias in Newfoundland politicsPolitical scientist Amanda Bittner says Newfoundland and Labrador does have to contend with the “Come From Away” factor, or “the notion that folks who are not ‘from here’ don’t get a say in how thi…
Read more »
Liberals, Trudeau have hit new low, but election poll suggests there’s still hope for themThe Tories led in every region except Quebec, where the Liberals enjoyed an eight-point lead with 31 per cent support; the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois were tied at 23 per cent
Read more »
Liberal MP, retired general, Andrew Leslie says he won't seek re-electionA first-time Liberal MP and longtime military man says he won't run for re-election this fall.
Read more »