MP Kamal Khera hosted a forum for Black Canadian Leaders in Brampton

BY: SHAUNA-KAY CASSELL

In closing out Black History Month, Member of Parliament (MP) for Brampton West, Kamal Khera hosted the Black In Brampton: A Forum for Black Canadian Leaders on Saturday, February 23^rd, 2019, at Loafers Lake Recreation Centre in Brampton, Ontario. Over 60 participants and community leaders gathered together to voice their concerns, thoughts, and ideas to their MP on three focus areas: mental health, youth empowerment, and access to employment opportunities for black Canadians.

Khera offered her introductory remarks, paused for the audience to listen to both the Canadian and Black National Anthem, then paused again for a short video of the Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to give his remarks in his absence. “Black History is Canadian History,” said Khera, “it is an important time to reflect on the contributions made by black Canadians to our nation.” The MP highlighted one such achievement, that of Ms Viola Desmond who is now featured on our Canadian $10 note. 

Subsequent to all the preliminaries, Khera gave the audience an outline of the afternoon agenda. Then discussions ensued. The first topic was youth empowerment. Members from each table stood up to address the pre-populated questions and announced their unified responses having talked amongst themselves initially. For one thing, we were able to connect with each other, and each individual got a real opportunity to vocalize their concerns in an intimidating setting.

The forum featured MP for Whitby, Celina Caesar-Chevannes who interacted with the participants, discussing a range of issues, including mental health, the second topic on the agenda. “The more we talk about mental health in the black-Canadian community,” says Caesar-Chevannes, “the better we are able to overcome the stigma.” As someone who personally dealt with a mental health condition, Caesar-Chevannes says, “owning my depression is my therapy, and talking about it gives others permission to talk…as well.” But mental health isn’t the only hurdle black Canadians face, another barrier to fight is the system. “We have got to get a better handle on how to navigate a system that is designed to keep us out,” expressed Caesar-Chevannes, “we need to be strategic.”

While the day’s agenda was circumvented a little, the key issues were still being addressed. Honest discussions about the urgent need for change were heard. “We should be making demands. Why do we sit here, year after year?” one participant voiced. Both MPs responded with sensitivity, letting the participants know that their concerns were being heard. That, the forum was an opportunity to further the dialogue and facilitate the needs of the black Community in Canada. Both MPs Khera and Caesar-Chevannes highlighted in their discussion the government’s various funding initiatives available to black communities in Canada: (1) $19 million over five years to address the significant and unique challenges faced by black Canadians in mental health, (2) $9 million over three years to enhance community support for black Canadian youth, and (3) $23 million for multiculturalism, anti-racism strategy.

Khera, who was elected as Member of Parliament in 2015 in Brampton West, was only 26 years old. She has been elected MP for the largest Caribbean population in Canada. As such, the forum which brings members of the community together is necessary. The goal of such event is “to understand the gaps, and to come up with sustainable solutions”, says Khera. “But we can’t do it just with the Federal government. We need the city and stakeholders as well.” 

The forum was informative; bringing together community leaders of Brampton West on a Saturday afternoon, to share their views with their MPs. With a final serving of dessert and fresh fruits from Gems House of Jerk, a Caribbean restaurant in Brampton, which also catered lunch for the participants; the event wrapped up with everyone blending for a group photo, and final goodbyes.

Now, the expectation is, the community and MP Khera will work together to strategically obtain funding in the three focus areas in order to implement sustainable initiatives that will make a difference in the lives of the Brampton West Community.