He was elected in 2004 and relected last year’s election to the Parliment as MP for famous Mississauga-Streetsville constituency where there is a large number of professional and educated Pakistanis live.
Wajid was an ex-pilot in Pakistan Air Force, who moved to Canada in early 70s. He has been very active with the community for a long time and has been a successful businessman, owns larget Mazda car dealership of Ontario which employs 50+ workers. His wife is a doctor who also has been very active in breat cancer awareness movement. He has been with Liberal party for quiet sometimes and was a close friend of ex-finance minster and PM Paul Martin during his conflict with great Jean Cretien.
In current Tory (conservative) government, PM Harper appointed Wajid Khan in last July, as special advisor to PM on Middle-East and Afghanistan (where Canadian forces are getting thrashed everyday), even being from opposition benches. The Liberals were never been comfortable with him assisting PM, specially when Harper wants to continue Afghanistan mission, contrary to majority of Candadians, specially those of from Ontario and Mississauga.
I, along with majority of Pakistanis in our riding supported Wajid from day one, during his first nomination till re-election last January. But what a looser he is. He left the Liberal caucus and joined government benches to stregthen Tory’s fragile minority government. Now with his vote in Harper’s pocket, Liberals can’t topple this government to call a new election, in which they are likely to get more votes then Tories.
Not to mention how daunting this floor crossing is for Pakistani Candian’s reputation and dignity.
The one positive sign in this is that the press has made virtually no focus of his Pakistani origin or background; rather he's being treated like every born-Canadian floor-crosser in the past.
The Toronto Star mentioned an advocacy group wanting him to explain the advice he's giving Harper; but the group was headed by a guy who given his name I presume is Hindu, and who seemed to be particularly worried that the Honourable Mr Khan is giving Harper pro-Pakistani advice.
He had the vote of a large number of south asian people because he was with the Liberals. People didnt really want to vote Wajid Khan, they wanted to vote Liberals. Now Wajid Khan is no longer with the liberals and all those votes that were meant for the Liberals are a waste. A major breach of trust. I'm willing to bet this guy is not going to make it in the next elections.
Voting for a Pakistani guy in Canada is a big mistake. You lot should vote based on the candidate's credentials and not just because he has a desi ass.
I would never vote for a desi. I don't want my country to turn into a Pakistan. Then I have to migrate again.
I, along with majority of Pakistanis in our riding supported Wajid from day one, during his first nomination till re-election last January. But what a looser he is. He left the Liberal caucus and joined government benches to stregthen Tory's fragile minority government. Now with his vote in Harper's pocket, Liberals can't topple this government to call a new election, in which they are likely to get more votes then Tories.
Not to mention how daunting this floor crossing is for Pakistani Candian's reputation and dignity.
First of all never ever ridicule Pakistan's name (floor crossing), we have our own flaws and we love it and hate it as much too. Either you are canadian or pakistani, make up your mind. You are in multi-ethnic country (Canada) and when you say "in our riding" you are in Canada and not Pakistan.
You, like many others adhere and follow the cultural traditions and customs only in your country (Canada), Belinda and few others have done the same, if there is no reform of any kind and all the parties are ready to take advantages of slippery slope then vote for some other party in your country (Canada)
Here is a thought for you; choose one Red and white OR Green and white?
actually on with Wajid Khan on this one....i was reading that if he stayed with the liberals, then he wouldn't be the mid-east/afghan advisor...and instead be one of those back benchers mps....im glad that he took a stand and decided to cross over and actually serve canada rather than do nothing at all.....
look at those indian mps...ruby dhalia and such...never see them do anything for canada....all they do is attend indian events and go to india with more important mps...
Even though I’d never vote for the Conservatives… it just seems to me that the Liberals tend to work in a closed silo… and act like dictators. That Dion guy comes off as a smug who thinks that he’s running the show. Good for Mr. Khan for having a sense of duty towards Canada and trying to help the government…
That being said, I’d rather have had him resign his seat and contest it in a by-election. His constituents deserve their say…
To Fungy. Who voted a desi? I voted Liberal Party (lefty same as Dems). If Wajid Khan was nominated by the conservatives, he would have got 5% votes. Since this is a Liberal dominated constituency and almost all of desis vote for Liberals regardless of the skin color of the candidate. In Canada, like US we vote on issues and agenda, and anyone can guess Liberals (despite of their internal problems) are the clear choice of whites and minorities here in this region.
Acro, this answers your objections as well. Pakistani professional society and many other organizations have supported Liberal candidates before as well, even when we had white liberal and a Pakistani NDP candidate. So its not about electing a Pakistani. What I am trying to say, being a candidate from Liberal dominated area this might note leave a very good prospect for future Liberal candidates of Pakistani origin. Specially when Indians are at your neck.
I would never vote for a desi. I don't want my country to turn into a Pakistan. Then I have to migrate again.
You shouldn't avoid voting a candidate just because he is a paki. What if he does have credentials. All in all, you are contradicting yourself in your post.
Canadians politics make me laugh! One party or the other, does the world really know the difference or care. You all should migrate south and help us impeach Bush.
^ We’re not seeking any endorsements… I’m sure smooth_guy’s post was meant to solicit opinions from the Canadians and moreover the affected constituents... but aadat se majboor AmreekioN ne taang tow araani hai na.
I think as a rule, any person who changes his/her party affiliation in the parliament, should be forced to vacate his/her seat right away and then asked to re-run on whichever party's ticket s/he wants.
If the person thinks they are so popular that their party affiliation bore no relevance to their winning the election then they have a chance to prove it.
i love u sometimes