Where are they now: Black Pearls win major elections

Congratulations to Dr. Leslyn Lewis and Arielle Kayabaga for their elections on 20 September 2021 to the Canada House of Commons. We are so proud of you!

Leslyn is excited and humbled by the prospect of representing the great riding of Haldimand-Norfolk. She is no stranger to hard work, and watched her parents work long hours to give their children a better life. She too has dedicated her life to excelling in school, employment and serving fellow Canadians. Leslyn, and her family, are proud residents of the town of Dunnville.

Before seeking office of Member of Parliament Leslyn was a business owner, having left the practice of law on Bay Street to start her own law firm. She understands the challenges of meeting a payroll, of sacrificing by not drawing a salary at the early stages of her business and working long hours to provide employment for fellow Canadians. Small business owners employ over 80% of all Canadians and governments should adopt policies that encourage and reward their sacrifice and investment.

Leslyn graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Toronto, Trinity College graduating Magna Cum Laude, a Master’s in Environmental Studies from York University, with a Concentration in Business and Environment from the Schulich School of Business and a Juris Doctorate from Osgoode Hall Law School and a PhD in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Leslyn often says, “to whom much is given much is required.” She pledges to serve the people of our communities by being a strong voice and advocate for Haldimand-Norfolk in Ottawa.

In particular, Leslyn wants to serve the next generation of Canadians by making sure they have the same opportunities that she had as a young woman. She believes strongly that Canada must remain a country where people can earn a living and not depend on government for our basic subsistence, pay our bills without worry, and leave our children better off tomorrow than they are today. Canadians want to see competence from their leaders in their approach to the economy, the environment, and our agriculture and resource sectors. We must also be a nation of compassion towards our seniors, the disabled, and veterans.

Leslyn believes that government should exist to serve the citizens and not the other way around. We must be a country where the freedom of religion, conscience and expression, and the rule of law are upheld.

Leslyn is not a career politician. She feels that she has been given much by this great country, and by her hardworking parents before her. She wants her children to inherit an even better Canada than the one that has given her so much. That’s why Leslyn is seeking to represent Haldimand-Norfolk in Parliament and speak for Canada.

Seeking a more stable environment and ample; opportunity, Arielle’s family left her home country, Burundi, in the midst of a civil war. After arriving in Canada, Arielle faced many of the challenges inherent in most new Canadian stories; insecure housing, precarious employment, and unfamiliar systems to navigate. She’s become a champion for other newcomers and all London residents, striving to realize equitable and stable futures for their families.

After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Carleton University, Arielle gained initial experience in government supporting Members of Parliament through her work in caucus services on Parliament Hill. Arielle was one of 29 young Canadians selected to represent the nation’s youth at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16). She entered local government as part of the mentorship program at London’s City Hall and then ran a successful campaign to become a City Councilor.

Arielle is an active public speaker, having worked with London Black History Committee and Regional HIV Aids Connection. She has served on and is a member of various local boards, including the Black History Month committee, the Urban League of London, Réseau-femmes du sud-ouest de l’Ontario, Association culturelle burundo-canadienne de London, and the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition.

Balancing her roles as a single mother, City Councilor, community activist and passionate city builder, Arielle’s story is one of breaking barriers, overcoming adversity, and defying expectations. She is a shining example of a new type of political and community leader; progressive, unapologetic, and committed to representing marginalized voices in her community.

Sources: https://ariellekayabaga.com/aboutarielle/ and https://leslynlewis.ca/about/