Reza Moridi optimistic on the future of Iranian Canadian immigrants
As we arrived for an informal chat with Dr. Moridi in his Richmond Hill office, two Persian-speaking women, one elderly, wearing a head scarf, and one younger, wearing a low cut dress, were separately being helped by Chris (Khashayar), Reza Moridi's smiley and cordial Constituency Assistant, on their hardships caused, respectively, by a landlord and an employer.
Like Khashayar, Reza Moridi also welcomed us with a smile. He is a member of the Ontario Liberal Party and the first politician of Iranian ancestry elected to a provincial or federal legislature in North America. Richmond Hill, a northern suburb of Toronto, is home to a large portion of the 120,000 Torontonians of Iranian ancestry, who, in 2014, helped elect Dr. Reza Moridi, for a third term, to Ontario Parliament. He is also serving as Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and Minister of Research and Innovation.
Born in Urumia, Azarbaijan, Reza Moridi attended Alborz High School in Tehran and after graduating from Tehran University, received his PhD from Brunel University in London. In 1986, for his original contribution to physics, Moridi was elected Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP) of the UK. Before leaving Iran for Canada, Dr. Moridi was Dean of the School of Sciences at Alzahra University. After immigrating to Canada, he had a 17-year career at the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada where he was the Vice-President and Chief Scientist. But what got him into politics?
Kodoom.com: What got you into politics?
Reza Moridi: Before 2006 when I first decided to run for an elected office, the immigrant Iranian community was mainly disengaged from politics. I am glad that my participation was welcome and productive. In 2008, Ontario Legislation, and in 2009 Canada Parliament, passed my Motion proclaiming the first day of spring as Nowruz. In fact, we host a Nowruz (Persian new year, Spring day) celebration in the Parliament every year, to introduce several hundred dignitaries to the Iranian culture.
I also introduced a Motions to recognize February 21 as International Mother Language Day in Ontario. As you know, besides Persian and Azarbaijani, about 200 other languages and dialects are spoken in Toronto, making it the most multi-cultural city in the world. You also just witnessed Tirgan (event link), which introduced some 100,000 visitors to the Iranian culture. So I am proud to see that unlike 10 years ago, now the Iranian Canadian community is well known, and well represented in Canada.
Kodoom.com: Are you helping or advising other Iranian immigrants to enter politics?
Reza Moridi: Absolutely. My example and contacts have been helpful. Recently we had seven Iranian Canadian candidates who tried mayoral elections. I also have four Iranian Canadians working among my staff of 17, comprising also of Canadians with Italian, Chinese, Jewish, Serbian, Ukrainian, British, German, Irish and French ancestries! So as you see in this multicultural city and country, it is natural and necessary for Iranian immigrants, like others, to actively engage in politics. There are now Canadians of Iranian heritage in the following offices: Minster of Finance, Premier's Office, Minister of Health, Minister of Transportation, Ontario Liberal Party (Niloofar Rezaei Boroun) and Ontario Young Liberals (Najva Amin).
At the Federal level in Canada Parliament, there are now 4 candidates with Iranian ancestry, from both parties, who have been endorsed by their parties as official nominees. From my Party, we have Mr. Majid Jowhari (official link) representing the Liberal Party in the riding of Richmond Hill, and Mr. Ali Ehsassi (official link) representing the Liberal Party in the riding of Willowdale, in next month's election. They will appreciate support by the community. I can see a day that the Governor General of Canada could be an immigrant of Iranian descent.
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- Max Amini Unplugged: Success with comical improvisation
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- Andy: Expect my most entertaining concert of the year (Part 2)
- INFORMAL: Maz Jobrani talks about intercultural marriage, Mercedes and "status"!
- INFORMAL with Andy Madadian: News of Wedding (Part 1)
- INFORMAL with Mohamad Mohebian "Between Iran and America!"
- "Informal" with Dr. Firouz Naderi
- Maz Jobrani Informal Video: Interview in Persian with world renowned stand up comedian
- Part 5 of An Informal interview with Houshang Touzie and Shohreh Aghdashloo (Bedun e Taarof ) Kodoom.com Exclusive
- Part 3 of "Informal" with Maz Jobrani at Kodoom.com
- Part 2: Informal Chat with Maz Jobrani about Tiger Woods, His View on the World, Cultures, etc. Kodoom.com Exclusive
- Part 1: An Informal interview with Maz Jobrani (Bedun e Taarof ) Kodoom.com Exclusive
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