Vonny Sweetland will likely run in the 2022 Provincial Election

BY SELINA McCALLUM

Voices from marginalized communities are stronger and louder than ever before demanding change and refusing to be silent.

One of those passionate and fearless voices here in Toronto belongs to Vonny Sweetland. He was born in Scarborough, Ontario and is a community advocate and radio and television personality.

In 2011 he gained National recognition for his blog. Now, Sweetland covers topics surrounding social justice and equality.

“Throughout that journey, I found community advocacy to be very important to me. I’ve always ensured that it was a part of my platform, whether that be lending myself to charitable efforts, or joining various charitable organizations, or sometimes just as simple as using my voice,” said Sweetland.

He has been a regular guest on various Radio and TV programs discussing the millennial demographic and social issues. As of 2018, Sweetland has mainly appeared in the media as a political pundit and advocate for various social issues in Canada and the US.

Sweetland is also an entrepreneur who founded a furniture and décor company. However, when he isn’t managing his business, his full attention is on community advocacy and politics.

“People have said to me, ‘you’ve had a lot of success in media, and now you found success in entrepreneurship, so why politics?’” said Sweetland. “What I tell people is, right now, we are in the fight of our lives. It may sound dramatic to some, but it’s really not when you look at some of the things that have been taking place.”

In Canada the pandemic has caused millions of Canadians to lose their jobs, their businesses and their financial stability. Across the United States, not only are they dealing with more than over one million coronavirus cases, but due to the recent tragic and inhumane deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, riots and protests have emerged across the country.

Then on Wednesday evening, a young black woman from Toronto fell to her death from the 24^th floor of a building. The family had called the police to help her with a mental health crisis.

“We are currently seeing unrest across most of the globe (particularly in North-America) due to race relations with police and racial tensions in general. I had the honour of speaking with the father of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, who tragically passed away in the Parkdale-High Park area during a routine 911 call very recently. Her family, her friends, and her community need answers,” said Sweetland.

The young advocate is eager to seek and make changes, and may be running in the 2022 provincial election. He criticizes the Ford government and all that they have done in the last several months regarding the cuts to education, rent control and affordable housing.

“The two areas that are really important to me are the fight for our elderly, to make sure that they’re protected and to make sure that they get to live and die with dignity and that touches on everything from healthcare to housing. And then of course, students, making sure that the education system is not going to be destroyed, which is clearly the aim of this government,” said Sweetland.

Ontario may have pockets of multicultural cities, but when it comes to the government, representation is extremely low.

“I can’t stress how important it is to ensure our elected officials represent the cultural and ethnic diversity of our communities here in Ontario. The current Doug Ford cabinet of ministers has not one African-Canadian in it, and outside of MPP Raymond Cho has not one person of colour serving. This is alarming,” said Sweetland.

Sweetland stresses that when governments are creating policies that affect the lives of black Ontarians, the black community needs to be involved too.

“This is the only way we can feel confident our voices will be heard and reflected at the highest levels. As an openly gay, interracial, half black man, I know that my presence and voice will be appreciated by the many constituents I seek to serve. I believe in an Ontario that can do better, and under the right leadership we will do better,” said Sweetland.