I am a proud Canadian, wife, and mother of two who understands the challenges
and concerns faced by ordinary citizens in their daily lives. I am not
a seasoned politician. I am simply a person with deep values who cares
about her community and the people in it, and who would like to make
this country a safer and more prosperous place for us and for future
generations. I also believe in a government thats accountable
to the people it represents, and not to friends and cronies.
Being an active member of the Reform Party since 1996, and of the Canadian
Alliance and Conservative Party of Canada thereafter has taught me 'the
ropes' of political process and political life. I have been a board
member of the Surrey Central Constituency Association, have helped with
three election campaigns and three leadership races. I have signed-up
memberships, dropped literature at doorsteps, participated in rallies
and townhall meetings, have worked the phones on behalf of Conservative
candidates and have listened to the many concerns of people in our community.
In the last 8 years, Ive attended National Assemblies, AGMs,
Conventions, the United Alternative Assembly and the Official Opposition
Caucuses. Ive also helped to organize BBQs, fundraise, have acted
as a volunteer advocate for constituents.
Although my great-grandfather contributed to the development of this
great country and died here in 1906, my family and I chose Canada to
be our own home. Prior to that, I traveled the world and lived in other
countries such as Japan (where I was born), India (where I was schooled
at the Convent of Jesus and Mary, and later earned my Bachelor of Arts
Degree in History and English Literature), and Africa--where I was a
partner in the family business.
It was in Liberia that I also developed a very deep appreciation of
freedom and democracy. On a daily basis, I witnessed suffering and disaster
first-hand in the bloody civil war that killed 1 in 10 and displaced
6 out of 10 people in that country. You can only imagine how many were
raped, abused or disabled. I have seen young people who wanted to go
to school or get medicines but could not afford to do so. Many people
could not even afford to eat a single meal a day. Not a day goes by
that I'm not incredibly thankful that I am now a Canadian and live in
this great country of ours. But the Liberal government in the drivers
seat has some serious problems with its vision, approach, administration
and direction.
The Liberals have continuously eroded family values and have proposed
legislation that works against families--the most important building-block
of our society. Theyve demonstrated a decade-long dithering on
issues such as the definition of marriage, minimum age of consensual
sex, child porn, child taxes rebates, tax breaks for stay home parents,
religious freedom, and political correctness. All of these issues need
tough lobbying and initiatives in Parliament--and that's exactly the
role that I intend to fulfill, when elected.
Since the day I moved here with my family, I've contributed to making
Canada an even a better country. I've always done that through my community
and volunteer work. But now that my children are grown-up and attending
post-secondary institutions, I feel that the time has come for me--a
passionate mother who has sacrificed her career for the sake of her
children and family--to do even more. That is why I'm asking for your
support to be your voice in Parliament: a principled, strong, caring
voice that reflects your values and priorities, and acts as a strong
advocate on your behalf. That is my promise to you.
Warmest regards,
Narinder (Nina) Grewal