Lieutenant Colonel Harjit Sajjan – Liberal Party Candidate South Vancouver
Q : How would you describe your journey through politics, your role in the current position and its essential responsibilities?
A : The role as a Liberal Candidate is a new frontier for me but what I want to do in life doesn’t change. I have been in uniform since I graduated, joined the Military Reserves and served in Afghanistan. When I was 29 years old I was hired with the Vancouver Police Department.
My International experience and everything I have done has been to serve the community. My role therefore remains the same; I will not be wearing a uniform but will continue to serve the community.
Q: As we observe our multicultural diversity in Canada continuing to grow, what observations have you made in this regard and how are you planning to work with the vital role this growth plays in our society’s overall development?
A: Multiculturalism is the cornerstone of our country – people from all over the world can come here and equally succeed.
The goal of diversity in Canada is every one is equal. There is still room for more development in Canada when you represent all the nations this sends a positive message to all the world. We need to foster this approach so that we understand each others culture and term and accept ourselves as Canadian.
Q: What do you wish to accomplish and most succeed at in your appointment mandate if elected ?
A: Our reputation on the International stage has been damaged and I want to fix that. We need to pay more attention to our veterans forces and support them pre, during and after a crisis. I want to help prevent the problems not solve the problems.
Q: The challenge we face as society today is on issue of human right equality ,refugee and immigration, Social disadvantage ,senior protection, growing worry about economy and corruption your comment approached on this issue ?
A: Next generation focus is of utmost importance to me — more mentorship needs to be introduced to High School students they need it as education alone is not enough. Mentorship programs are needed for our next generation to help raise world changers, peacemakers, scientists, etc. if we all can inspire 10 next generation youth then what a great society we will have.
If you want to achieve something and the economy is not doing well there will not be money to spend on any improvements. Our economic state plays a pivotal role in any changes we want to see. We have to manage our security and secure our human rights. We have to treat each other with respect human rights is not negotiable.
Q: What has inspired you most in your life and if you were in your youth starting over again is there anything you might do differently?
A: What inspired me were my mentors with my Dad being the biggest influence on me. The little success that I reached led to another. Any challenges that I had, I had to go through so that it could shape me into the person I have become. If someone said you can’t or if I was criticized because of my race I was mentored to prove them wrong. Your success will ultimately be your best revenge.
Q: What is your message for the Votes in this coming election .
A: I don’t want people to vote for me – in a true democracy people should learn about me. Learn who we are as leaders for your community and country — look at their accomplishments and how they will best represent you.
Biography : Harjit Sajjan has served Canada and his community as both a soldier and a police officer. Now he wants to continue his service as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Vancouver South.
Harjit is a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces and a combat veteran. He has deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina and served three separate deployments to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Harjit has received numerous recognition for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal for reducing the Taliban’s influence in Kandahar Province. He is also a recipient of the Order of Military Merit – one of the military’s highest recognitions. Harjit also served as an Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
Harjit was a police officer with the Vancouver Police Department for 11 years. He completed his last assignment as a Detective-Constable with the Gang Crime Unit specializing in organized crime. He proudly tackled gang violence and drug crimes in Vancouver. Harjit is also a Human Security specialist, lecturing to a wide audience in both Canada and the US.
