VANCOUVER- Mable Elmore formally launched her bid to seek the NDP nomination for the federal riding of Vancouver-East at the Philippine Diamonds Society of B.C. Clubhouse on Powell Street last December 21. Elmore is currently a member of the B.C. Legislative Assembly, representing Vancouver-Kensington for the provincial NDP.
Elmore’s declaration brings to at least three the number of Filipino politicians gearing up for the 2015 federal election. After a long-fought campaign, Filipino Canadian community organizer and advocate Jojo Quimpo has won the right to be the candidate of the Conservative Party of Canada in Vancouver Kingsway in the election next year Quimpo’s candidacy for a seat in the House of Commons was officially launched on Oc tober 24 with a celebration and fundraising event at the Polish Community Centre in Vancouver.
Jason Kenney, Calgary Southeast MP and Canada’s Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, attended Quimpo’s campaign launch. Banker Mike Calingo is also preparing for the election. Calingo is seeking the nomination of the Conservative Party of Canada for the Burnaby South riding. Conservative Party members in Burnaby South are expected to choose their candidate in early 2015.
The federal election will be held in the fall.
Elmore told supporters during her event: “I came to this decision after being encouraged by many people, including ones from this riding, to stand for nomination. I recognize it is a very diverse riding with many urgent issues. I am passionate to advocate for these issues on the national level.”
Avelina Vasquez, a labour activist from the Hospital Employees Union, local Aramark, endorsed the nomination bid of Mable. Vasquez said, “I have known Mable for a long time. She is a solid supporter of the Living Wage campaign, an issue that I am involved in with the HEU, and of the hospital workers.”
Jane Ordinario, a women’s shelter support worker i n the downtown east side and a long-time community activist involved with caregivers and temporary foreign workers, also added her endorsement and strong support for Elmore. Ordinario said, “As a community organizer, I have worked with Mable in helping and supporting Migrant workers especially the Caregivers and the low skilled Temporary Foreign workers. Mable Elmore has made strong positions on issues that affect us. She has never let us down.”
Before her election as an MLA, Elmore was active as a long-time union and community organizer and leader for many years. She worked in the Downtown Eastside advocating for caregivers, immigrant rights, and women’s rights. She joined the many marches for the missing indigenous women, as well as peace marches in Vancouver. Elmore co-chaired the Women’s Committee of the Vancouver District and Labour Council and also did organizing work out of the Maritime Labour Centre. Elmore is active in the Queer community and has participated in many Dyke marches on Commercial Drive. She continues to work and advocate for caregivers and low-skilled temporary foreign workers and firmly believes that Canada needs to return to the model of permanent immigration, not temporary migration. She made history as the first MLA of Filipino descent when she was elected to represent Vancouver- Kensington in 2009 and when she was re-elected in 2013. Elmore had run for the federal riding of Vancouver-Kingsway in 2005.
“Vancouver-East is a richly diverse and vibrant riding that faces many important issues. Libby Davies has done excellent work here over the years. She is an icon and an excellent model of a dedicated public servant that gave voice to the voiceless in her riding,” said Elmore.