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| NEWS - September 23, 2008 |
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| Canada should focus on the next generation |
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By Manizha Wodud
Leader Staff
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Liberal candidate for Yellowhead, Mohamed El-Rafih, is concentrating on three major issues for the upcoming election: youth, environment and high fuel prices. He is a political science and business graduate from the University of Calgary and feels that politicians have a right to speak their minds.
"With the political situation right now, politicians are afraid to speak their mind because of party discipline. A lot of members are kicked out or banned from the party because of speaking their mind. A member of parliament, before being a liberal, before being a conservative, should be able to be a voice for its constituency."
Most of El-Rafih’s political experience has been youth related. Even before his political career began, he volunteered with various youth organizations. While still in high school, a friend of his was murdered due to a drug-related incident. As a result of this experience, he began speaking at various high schools about the dangers of drugs and gang involvement.
"I graduated high school and opened up a committee that solely dealt with the rehabilitation of youth that were in trouble," said El-Rafih, adding that he also developed several programs to help kids avoid becoming re-offenders.
He is convinced that the government should try to improve the environment for the next generation.
Because natural forestry is part of Jasper’s economy, it would be disastrous should anything happen to the environment, he stressed.
He also feels that the government should do more to stop the price of fuel from rising.
"We have more oil than the Middle East, we have our own refineries…why are we so dependent on the world economy?"
Before a hurricane even hits Canada, gas prices shoot through the roof, he noted.
"Stephan Dion’s green shift wants to reinstate the national community that protects the prices of fuel and the petroleum prices," he said.
El-Rafih believes the Liberal Party has a solid plan for long-term solutions to the challenges of high fuel prices and climate change. |
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