I voted as a Canadian for the first time
By: Raj Sekhon
Like other immigrant families, we landed Canada, the country of our dreams, in late September 2008. Without any idea of the depth, we just plunged in the ocean of 250,000 new immigrants who land here annually and that too with no acquaintances or relatives. Truly speaking, our views and our perception about this developed country turned out to be just opposite what we thought earlier in our minds. Initial struggle and tiring night schedules made us strong enough to fight back. Both of us realized very soon that our education, background and our experience will certainly pave the way towards success eventually.
Proven as well as hidden talents in me certainly made me quite popular among different communities. My magical voice, openness and humble nature were my strengths. With every new dawn in Canada, we started feeling firmer on ground which felt like quicksand before. By now I started accepting challenges and I came to understand clearly that Canada was the only real land of opportunities. Soon I was accepted me as a television host, insurance broker, Hindi/ Punjabi singer and above all someone who was trusted by all communities. I am a better person today because of it.
It would be an injustice to my wife if I don’t mention her. A botany professor by trade, she stood by me through thick and thin. She is no less than me and has already proven herself in the insurance field, where she has already achieved distinctions to her credit on this foreign land.
In March 2013, I became a Canadian citizen. I now had the right to vote in the country of my dreams. As an artist by nature, I never had any interest in politics in India, but here I identified with multiculturalism and bilingualism, which helped me and my family here. I had a decision to make in 2015. As the days progressed, I found myself leaning and tilting towards the Liberal Party, which always came out in the support of new immigrants. When I came to understand that multiculturalism, liberalism and bilingualism are the basics of the party, my inclination towards this them became stronger day by day. To my knowledge, the Liberal Party is known as one of the largest parties in Canada and it has dominated federal policies from time to time. Justin Trudeau emerged as the winner with a thumping majority.
I voted for the Liberals and I wish Justin Trudeau would certainly show us a new change as promised in the agenda before elections.
Above all, I appreciate this right to decide my country’s future.
