Why diverse candidates are facing challenges breaking through in Ontario civic elections

Imran Hasan says his run for municipal council is a way to provide newcomers with something his father didn't have when he arrived in Canada in 1973 — someone who looked like him in politics.

But Hasan is the first to say his bid to join Mississauga city council has been a challenge at every turn. The council for the city west of Toronto has only one member from an ethnic community even though more than half of its population is non-white. 

Prior to 2018, it had no diverse members.

Hasan says political representation is important because for newcomers, seeing people from their communities can have an influence on governments. Without it, people feel excluded, he said.

"When my father came to Canada, he didn't have any role models, he didn't have anyone who could help him navigate the system, Hasan told CBC Toronto. 

"He didn't have anybody who could explain to him the different levels of government, let alone the services that each level of government provided," he added.

"And I felt that he was at a disadvantage."

As cities and towns across Ontario prepare to go to the polls on Oct 24., Hasan said he and other diverse candidates like him are trying to overcome the challenges of breaking through on municipal councils. This will be the third time he has run in Mississauga because he believes communities could benefit from electing more diverse politicians. 

"I think that's really what diversity brings to the local level of government, understanding and respect," he said.

"To really put that individual in the other person's shoes and say, 'Yes, I remember that journey. I remember coming to Canada.'"

But Hasan says he's also faced racism and prejudice on the campaign trail. It hasn't discouraged him, but he acknowledges it keeps many people from running.

"I've heard comments like, 'I couldn't possibly vote for someone like you.' So you have to read between those lines and what that really means. And I get it, my name is not a name they're familiar with. My face doesn't look like theirs. But I tell people, 'You know what …I'm not a scary guy.' I'm their neighbour."

Hasan has spent years working in the community, making contributions as the chairperson of Peel Crimestoppers and the former chair of the Mississauga Board of Trade. He has lived and worked in the community for decades but says it is still difficult to overcome the name recognition of a city council incumbent.

He's hopeful that after a second place finish in 2018, he'll break through this year now that the long-time incumbent he faced before has decided to retire.