Little Ethiopia Welcomes The First Canadian-Somali MP
Newly minted Liberal Member of Parliament, Ahmed Hussen, was feted by the Ethiopian-Canadian community atRandezVous restaurant on Danforth Avenue. His win, which was the very first time a Canadian-Somali was ever elected to the House of Commons, was the highlight of the 2015 federal election for Toronto’s diverse African-Canadian communities.
Hussen, who was born in Somalia and moved to Toronto just over two decades ago. He started his activism career, within the Regent Park area, and soon became a household name, as he advocated for employment and jobs, for his neighbors. In time, he was recruited to work for the local Member of Provincial Parliament, George Smitherman, to work for the leader of the then opposition, Dalton McGuinty. Upon the Ontario Liberal winning the provincial election in 2013, and McGuinty becoming Premier, he would follow him in the office, as his trusted adviser and assistant.
He completed his education from York, and on the recommendation of Premier Dalton McGuinty, he was accepted to Law School, at the University of Ottawa. The father of two, completed his bar exam in 2012 and he was called the bar in 2013. The now 39 year old, had been practicing criminal law while fulfilling his role with the Canadian Somali Congress. He has addressed the House of Commons and the United States Congress and has travelled throughout the country.
At the event organized by community activist Samuel Getachew at Ethiopian restaurant, Randez Vous, guests were treated with Ethiopian cuisine as well as a coffee ceremony.
In an exclusive interview with ethiofidel.com, Ahmed thanked the guests and reminded them, that politics should be a force for good and he encouraged the community to be involved. The guests expressed to him, how much they would want to see him, rise to become cabinet minister, in the Justin Trudeau majority government.
