Navdeep Singh Bains is an example of the potential
that young Canadians possess when they mix a dynamic
personality with hard work, dedication and a passion
for civic improvement. Born and raised by enterprising
immigrant parents, Navdeep has seen first hand what
hard work and a relentless spirit can achieve, and
is now poised to take this experience to a whole new
level.
Navdeep was born in the city of Toronto and raised
for the majority of his life in this riding. Navdeeps
parents immigrated to Canada in the mid 1970s, and
like most immigrants from enterprising back-grounds,
they worked long, hard hours in order to establish
themselves in a new country. The Bains family
history will sound familiar to most Canadians. The
family immigrated to an unknown land with very little
resources and acquaintances and set out to build a
strong foundation for their childrens future.
Navdeeps father began a small business in this
riding manufacturing kitchen cabinets in the early
1990s which he was able to grow into a now thriving
enterprise. Having seen first hand the struggles and
successes of his family and those of other immigrants
to this country, Navdeep is very well positioned to
understand the motivations of the first generation
of Canadians, like his parents, as well as the needs
and aspirations of those who will represent the future.
Navdeep is well acquainted with this riding and it's
residents as he has been a contributing member in
it for most of his life. Navdeep attended W.G. Davis
Secondary School and then went on to graduate from
Turner-Fenton Senior Secondary School. While maintaining
a successful academic record, Navdeep has never shied
away from his civic responsibilities. Even as a high
school student Navdeep was in the forefront participating
in community activities in order to give back to his
community. Whether it was representing his heritage
though participating in South Asian Heritage Week
or visiting the homeless shelter regularly with his
friends to help feed the homeless, Navdeep has taken
every opportunity to fulfill his responsibilities
as a contributing citizen.
Being a young Canadian, Navdeep knows first hand
the trials and tribulations faced by children of immigrant
parents, who are sometimes caught between the culture
that their parents represent and their own aspirations.
Even as a youngster Navdeep has been a role model
for young Canadians. He has helped to organize a weekly
drop-in basketball program to help channel the energy
of youngsters into positive endeavors by getting them
off the streets as well as volunteer for an after-school
homework and mentoring club aimed at providing positive
role models for grade school children. After graduating
from Turner-Fenton Navdeep went on to pursue a business
degree from York University. While at York, Navdeep
was elected the president of the Sikh Students Association
and helped to organize heritage language classes and
regular seminars and lectures for youth. A large part
of Navdeeps summers have also been spent organizing
and running youth retreats aimed at building leadership
and self-confidence in youth. While maintain a busy
extra-curricular life, Navdeep obtained an MBA from
the University of Windsor and began a successful career
with Ford.
Along with maintaining a demanding career, Navdeep
has continued to participate in community activities
such as volunteering at the Daily Bread Food Bank
and Habitat for Humanity as well as being a member
on the Diversity Council at Ford. He has also continued
his efforts to help youth and young children through
organizations such as the Sunshine Walk for Dreams,
a charity which supports terminally ill children,
and the Guru Gobind Singh Childrens Foundation,
a Canadian organization which helps to support and
educate underprivileged children from around the world.
Knowing first-hand the benefits that community support
and programs can foster, Navdeep has taken every opportunity
to give back to his community through different avenues.
Due to his passion and ability to effectively communicate
ideas, Navdeep has been a spokesperson for the community
and is often asked to speak on diverse issues on radio
and television programs. So why now has Navdeep taken
the plunge into politics?
For all people with political aspirations there is
usually one fundamental truth that drives them into
public life. As a constituent and a voter it is important
for each one of us to ask, what is it that drives
this person to run? Why does this person want to be
my representative in Ottawa? One look at Navdeeps
albeit young but full life gives one a sense of what
drives this ambitious young man. Navdeep knows what
it is like to be a struggling immigrant family. He
also knows what it is like to be a young Canadian,
armed with a degree and ambition. Navdeep is in a
unique position as he represents tradition as well
as the potential of the future and aspires to combine
the needs of both in order to ensure the continued
success and growth of this riding and the country.
Navdeeps family represents the immigrant experience
that is shared by so many different people from different
parts of the globe who have chosen to make Canada
their home. Having built a successful life in Canada
it is now time for the South Asian community to come
forward and take the next step as Canadians by electing
effective representation to the federal parliament.
We have become well established in social and
civic life, says Navdeep. We must now
become part of the political dialogue at a whole new
level by electing educated, capable and articulate
representatives who will work with integrity and enthusiasm
on behalf of all Canadians.
These are the types of aspirations that drive Navdeep
to leave a successful career and comfortable family
life to enter into the realm of politics. Navdeep
knows he has been fortunate, and thanks to the hard
work of first generation immigrants like his parents,
he has been able to enjoy the opportunities of a post-secondary
education and a professional career. Navdeep now wants
to give back to his community in a powerful and meaningful
way. By entering into politics at such a young age
Navdeep serves as an inspiration and a role model
for all young Canadians.
We often hear the rhetoric that the first generation
has done more than its fare share and it is now time
for the second generation to step forward and accept
its responsibilities. Navdeep is doing exactly that
he represents the hard work and dedication
of the pioneer generations as well as all of the potential
and energy of the future. Navdeep understands the
people his riding and the issues facing them, whether
they be university students, entrepreneurs or seniors.
By entering into politics at such an early age, Navdeeps
message is loud and clear - it is now time to make
the Canadian dream a reality by passing on the torch
to a new generation of Canadians.