Yasir Naqvi is the Liberal candidate running for re-election in Ottawa Centre. Naqvi is a Carleton alumnus, completing his master’s of arts degree in international trade policy at the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs.
First elected in the 2007 provincial election, Naqvi has been very active in the Carleton community. Naqvi said he’s on campus at least two to three times a month to engage with students and to see the growth on campus. He also played a role in the developpment of new buildings on campus.
There are two buildings that are being constructed at Carleton University, the River Building and the Canal Building. I worked very closely with [university president Roseann Runte] on this and got $25 million from the Ontario government towards these two buildings, creating a better learning environment for our students, Naqvi said.>
He also spoke about the recent announcement to give Carleton $16 million to expand and renovate the MacOdrum Library.
In working with students, Naqvi said he made a point during last year’s situation regarding Carleton administration withholding the Carleton University Students Association’s (CUSA) funding.
In a nutshell, the issue is that in law there is no recognition of student associations. We know student associations are very important on campus in terms of the services that are provided, Naqvi said.I worked very closely with CUSA and drafted a private member’s bill called College and University Student Association Act, or the CUSA Act, which recognizes student associations, makes sure student associations follow the governments rules and that they are accountable to the students.
If re-elected, Naqvi said he plans to reintroduce the bill.
In addition to passing the CUSA bill, Naqvi said his future plans for students include continuing the growth that not only Carleton is seeing, but all post-secondary institutions in Ottawa are seeing.
Naqvi spoke to the Liberal commitment to give both college and university students a 30 per cent tuition grant starting in January 2012. In an election based largely on pocketbook issues, many critics say the policy is an attempt to buy votes from students on election day.
Naqvi said this policy is just the next step in the Liberal party’s overall plan for post-secondary education. He also pointed to improvements in the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) system from the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant to the Repayment Assistance Plan for those who cannot repay their loans.
Naqvi had stern words for the Progressive Conservative plan to cut the $30 million Trillium Scholarship for foreign doctorate students if elected.
I disagree with them. I think what they are suggesting is very dangerous, Naqvi said. That’s just dividing people. We’re telling the best and the brightest to do their research in Ontario, make Ontario your home, so hopefully they will stay here and contribute to our economy from the work they do.
On why Carleton students should vote for the Liberals, Naqvi spoke to the party’s attention to education, the investments we have made in education.
Enrollment keeps going up, there is a reason for that, he said. More students see an opportunity and we have created that opportunity they want to pursue.
