Despite the Gates divisive and inflammatory comments, NDP leader Marit Stiles campaigned alongside Gates in Niagara on Wednesday. Pictured: NDP Candidate Wayne Gates and PC Candidate Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
. Photo Credit: Facebook/Ontario Legislature
Niagara Falls Progressive Conservative provincial candidate Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg has received major endorsements from respected leaders in the local Muslim and Jewish communities.
The endorsements came after incumbent NDP MPP Wayne Gates made remarks regarding Gaza which have received widespread condemnation for being ‘inflammatory’ and ‘divisive’ during his recent visit to a local Mosque.
Gates’ comments were promptly condemned by Imam Asad Mahmood and Muslim community leader Ziad Hajifazul, who have been adamant that their community does not support any form of hatred.
“For a very long time, Mr. Gates has been making these types of statements and it is not at all representative of our community,” Ziad Hajifazul told The Niagara Independent. “Our community is about peace and unity, not about inciting conflict.”
Hajifazul and Imam Mahmood have called on Wayne Gates, as well as the Ontario NDP to publicly apologize for what Hajifazul says was a “misleading, divisive and false statement.”
Imam Mahmood and Ziad Hajifazul joined Veronica and Mike Balaj of the Jewish community, as well as Nieuwesteeg, to “publicly reject divisive rhetoric and call for peace.”
“I am requesting every single one of you to come out on Thursday and vote for Ruth-Ann,” Imam Mahmood said in remarks while endorsing Nieuwesteeg for MPP. “I believe she is going to work for every single community,” he continued.
“She knows everything about the city and she is going to do a better job and a good job of bringing us together, keeping us together, make us love each other, not hate each other.”
Community leaders are also calling upon provincial candidates to refrain from focusing on international conflicts in their electoral platform.
“I’ve been a member of the Muslim community for 26 years,” said Hajifazul. “The Gaza issue is a federal issue, not provincial.”
It remains unclear how Gates or the provincial NDP will handle this matter. However, Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles campaigned alongside Gates in Niagara on Wednesday.
Polls continue to indicate a neck and neck race between Gates and Nieuwesteeg on the eve of Election Day (Thursday, Feb. 27).
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
