Sheeba Singh

© Panjabi Beat, May-June, 2009, Vol. 1. .No. 4

What was initially a move out of Liberia at the time of an outbreak of war in 1991 to Canada, soon transformed the Grewal couple to be the first South Asian couple elected to the House of Commons in 2004. With Gurmant Grewal elected to office in 1996, his wife, Nina Grewal’s interest in politics was invigorated even further. Perhaps it was the impetus she was waiting for- and with her 2 sons raised, her election into office in 2004 has fueled her desire since- with no looking back.

“These (conservative parties) have a tradition of encouraging grass roots participation by members, so when I attended party meetings and conventions I was given ample opportunity to help shape policy and direction,” claims Mrs. Grewal.

Nina Grewal, now Member of Parliament, Fleetwood- Port Kells, British Columbia, Canada with the conservative party was confronted with some tough questions on her stand on minority groups as second class citizens, gang crimes and a the new presidency of Barack Obama.

Q: Being on the standing committee for the status of women at the House of commons, what is your say on the current status of women in Canada- especially those of visible minority groups- who are still considered second class citizens?

A: I’m actually now a former member of the Standing House Committee for the Status of Women. After four years on that committee I was moved to Canadian Heritage this year.

Women are not “second class citizens,” nor should they be considered as such. Today women are world leaders, so how can they be viewed as second class? The citizens of those countries certainly do not see them that way.

There was a time, not too long ago, when women were seen as homemakers, wives, and mothers – nothing else. Those days are past. Today there are record numbers of women in the labour force, especially in Canada. There are now more women than men in our universities, and far more women than men in graduate and professional programs. This bodes well for the future.

Q: How do you think the issue of domestic violence can be addressed and tackled- do you think legislation provides appropriate solutions, or should we begin to turn to civil society for answers?

A: Tackling domestic violence requires tough laws that are enforced. Violence against women – especially when committed by a husband – should not be seen as some lesser crime. But more importantly, and I think this is especially true for ethnic communities, are programs that tell women that they do not have to put up with abuse.

Q: Do you think the construction of the women and minority groups as second class citizens limits their ability to grow professionally and personally? Especially given that in even the most developed countries, very few women occupy a higher position in any hierarchical structure.

A: I do not believe in quota systems. Women – and other groups who have not traditionally participated in the political system – should be encouraged to take part and seek elected office, but there should not be any law forcing their participation.

Q: India has been debating for almost two decades now of passing Women’s’ Bill that guarantees 33 per cent seats in Parliament for women. But it has not been passed as yet. What are your opinions on this?

A: From my own experience I know that a woman can win a party nomination and win an election without special treatment. People will vote for you, but that can only happen if you first agree to stand for office. For whatever reason, women are less likely than men to do so. Maybe with more encouragement that will change. Organizations like Equal Voice are doing good work in this respect.

Q: With Barack Obama brought into office in the Unites States, people’s hopes of change and a better future are being brought to the fore. With Canada sitting at USA’s shadow, and a recent visit to Ottawa by President Obama himself, what kind of future can you gauge for Canada, United States and the world?

A: I suspect Canada and the United States are about to embark on closer relations. Under previous governments relations between our two countries were, shall I say, frosty. Many Liberal MPs engaged in American bashing. Those days are now gone. Especially with the new president, whom Canadians – like people around the world – have embraced. I hope we can work together with the Americans to navigate through the current economic crisis and do more to address environmental issues. Preliminary discussions between President Obama and Prime Minister Harper suggest we can move forward on these files and bring about positive change for citizens of both countries.

Q:Were you able to meet with him?

A: Parliament was not in session the week Obama visited so I was in my riding and unable to meet him. I certainly would have liked to have had the opportunity.

Q: Immigrants community in general and Punjabis in particular are worried about the gang war that has wreaking havoc in British Columbia. Unofficial figures suggest that more than one hundred youth have been killed in this unabating gang war since 1994-95. People are expressing their growing concern at this gang war. What do you think how this problem can be handled and youngsters, especially Punjabis?

A: But, of course, over the last decade there have been over 100 South Asians killed in gang violence in BC’s Lower Mainland. This has been a real tragedy. We’ve seen kids from good families become caught up in gangs and crime. Their parents don’t know what to do. I think government needs to clamp down on the drug trade which fuels these gangs. The Harper government is already doing this with a new National Drug Strategy, more police officers, and better border security. Also we need programs that reach out to kids in school before they become involved in gangs. We need to educated them and offer them better alternatives to crime. It is, however, a complicated problem with no easy solutions.