1. Candidate Bio:
Harnek Rai has been involved in community affairs and issues for over 40 years. Harnek is a successful self-employed businessman, and holds degrees from India, B.A. and from the United Kingdom, B.A. in Social Sciences. Harnek was a member of the Glasgow Caledonian University Student Council as the Overseas Students Officer. Harnek held voluntary advisor roles in Social Work with the Woodlands Advice Centre in Glasgow, Scotland. Harnek has held a voluntary advisor position with the Citizens Advice Bureau (Scotland) as well as providing translation and interpreting services for the Asian Interpreting Services for British Immigration. Harnek also served the community by volunteering as a part-time Punjabi teacher in Glasgow.
Harnek was the founder and General Secretary of the District Judo Association in Punjab, India. Harnek was an Executive Member of the Scottish Powerlifting Association and was their official voluntary photographer.
Harnek has been involved in sports and community service for over four decades as a world-renowned Powerlifter, Coach and Referee, winner of many championships, locally, nationally and internationally. Harnek has been honored many times for his contributions in Powerlifting and for his dedication to the sport, including Ontario and Canadian Powerlifting Hall of Fame. He has been honored with the prestigious Syl Apps Award (Ontario Government), as well being inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame. Harnek is an Executive Member of the Ontario Powerlifting Association and a member of the Canadian Powerlifting Anti-Doping Committee. Harnek is known for his powerlifting photography and has taken over 250,000 pictures worldwide and has generously given these pictures away free of charge, many of which have been published in different publications. Harnek is proud to donate these pictures to help promote the sport.
Harnek is a radio broadcaster and TV presenter, speaking on various issues that affects society and the residents of Brampton.
Harnek is running for Regional Councillor in Wards 1 and 5 to be able to give back to the community by working with City Council on issues that are important to him, his family and the residents of Brampton.
2. What are your three top priorities for Brampton?
One of my top priorities is to involve residents, police representatives and the city council to reduce the crime rate and address drug and gang-related violence in our community.
Accountability and transparency are important issues. I will work towards freezing property taxes by capping council salaries, as the majority of property taxes goes towards paying these salaries.
Creating local jobs is important which will help to reduce commuting time, people will be able to work locally, which will also result in less cars on the road, and reduced gridlock. Local businesses will contribute by paying taxes thus reducing the burden on residents paying residential property tax.
3. What is one major council decision from the previous (2014-2018) term that you agree with?
I agreed with Council’s decision to have a University in Brampton, but my goal would be to move it to a larger location where there is an opportunity for growth, add campuses, programs in the future.
4. What is one major council decision from the previous (2014-2018) term that you disagree with?
To buy a golf course that was making a financial loss…and to bail out the “for profit” hockey team.
5. Are there any other ideas from other cities that you would like to see replicated in Brampton?
Many cities have developed a towing system that prevents and reduces false or fraudulent claims against insurance companies. I would like to develop a similar program in Brampton which will help to bring insurance premiums down.
6. What are your top transportation priorities to ease congestion and gridlock in the city of Brampton and connections to other communities?
We need to attract more businesses to Brampton to keep residents working in the city rather than travelling outside the city, this will ease traffic congestion. We need better and faster road repair by providing companies with specific timelines to complete the work in a timely manner.
7. What are your thoughts on the Brampton 2040 Vision and how should the city proceed with the vision?
The vision is exciting and will move the city forward with lots of opportunities to make Brampton a vibrant hub for families to live and work in. Some issues will need to be addressed specifically with transportation.
8. What is your position on the city’s finances and how would you tackle demands for services and infrastructure renewal?
We need to establish a detailed budget that is realistic to the needs of the City. An annual independent audit would enforce accountability and transparency. Job creation is very important, encouraging investment from the private sector. Receiving provincial and federal funding is a key component to the success of our city.
9. What are your thoughts on how the city/region should handle the alleged uptick of spontaneous youth violence and crime in the city?
I have been and will continue to host seminars on drugs and gang-related activities to educate youth on the dangers to health and the society. I will work alongside police services on community programs for youth and also promote sport and other activities to occupy youth in a healthy, productive and meaningful way to keep them on a good path. We will need to create better jobs, higher paying jobs in our city as well as community programs to keep our youth engaged and away from crime and violence.
10. Why should voters vote for you?
I will be the voice of the residents of Brampton, I will listen to concerns and address them to the best of my ability. I want to make a difference. I will work with my fellow council members to make Brampton a city where residents are proud to work and live. I have worked behind the scenes as a volunteer for many years and now I want to be where I can make a difference…at city hall.
Candidate contact info:
Phone: 416-569-1488
Email: raiharnek@hotmail.com
Website: Link here
Social Media: Facebook