Independent candidate counts his votes

Hafeez Chaudhuri is the only independent candidate in the 2011 Saskatchewan provincial election. Photo by Sarah Ferguson.

by Sarah Ferguson

Voters in the constituency of Regina Qu'appelle Valley had an extra option on their ballots in this year’s provincial election.

As Saskatchewan’s only independent candidate,  Hafeez Chaudhuri "crossed his fingers and hoped for the best” as election night wore down. By the end, he had won close to 50 votes in his district.

"The future looks very bright," Chaudhuri said.

Chauduri decided to run as an independent contender after he lost the nomination with the NDP in Wascana Plains on November 25.

“Of course I was disappointed when I lost, but I decided to run (as an independent candidate) regardless of the circumstances,” Chauduri said. "Now, I am not worried in the least," he said with a smile.

Chaudhuri wants to be the voice for those who aren’t heard in Saskatchewan. “We need a different focus,” Chaudhuri said.  The immigration policies here need to be changed, also seniors need better care and respect, and something needs to be done about poverty,” he said.

Chaudhuri moved to Saskatchewan in 2007. A speech by the late Jack Layton inspired him to pursue his political career. “I saw him speaking on the TV and was impressed by what he had to say…I decided I wanted to be part of the NDP and learned that Saskatchewan had an NDP stronghold in Canada,” he said. “Despite losing the NDP nomination, I still feel my calling is in provincial politics here and I am not going to give up my mission.”

Chaudhuri and his family originally migrated to Montreal from Pakistan sixteen years ago. His background as a Canadian immigrant gives him a unique perspective on the political process, and he is known as a spokesperson for immigration issues in the province.

“Immigration is a big issue here in Saskatchewan,” he said. “The foreign population is growing in Regina, and other politicians are ignoring this fact.”

 “I am dismayed when I see how the Saskatchewan Party has taken the issue of processing immigration files and complicated it; since they came to power a file must pass through eight different people before it can be approved, and this is completely unnecessary,” he said.

Chaudhuri also says that by encouraging investor migration in the province, more jobs could be created in Saskatchewan.

“There are lots of people who want to move here and who have money to create projects, if given the opportunity,” he said.

Chaudhuri says if he is elected, seniors’ issues will be a priority. “Why is it that seniors must pay for their prescriptions or rent and food,” said Chaudhuri. “In Pakistan, seniors remain with their families and they are respected—they aren’t forced into homes where they are separated from their children and get lonely,” he said. “The way we treat the elderly in this society is wrong, and it has to change.”

Chaudhuri also feels education is important. “I feel that anyone with an income of $30,000 or less should have access to educational grants or scholarships; education has become too expensive for those who make less money,” he said.

Chaudhuri hopes that his independent status will appeal to those Regina residents who do not make it out to the polls. “It is said that 30 to 35 per cent of city residents normally cast their votes in the election, and that over 60 per cent will not,” said Chaudhuri. “I wanted to convince those voters who normally do not come to the polls to look into my platform,” he said.

"Tonight was a good start."

And support for Chaudhuri continues to grow. On October 30, Chaudhuri and his campaign managers held a political event at the Conexus Arts Centre, and drew a crowd of over 220 people.

 “Several weeks ago we had close to 35 volunteers ringing bells and knocking on doors, and I was very happy with the effort,” he said.

 “Regardless of the outcome tomorrow, my campaign will have been successful because I am getting my voice heard when it comes to issues that I feel are overlooked in the province”

“If 2011 isn’t my year, then 2015 will be, for sure.”