Before politics, worked as a teacher at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute
Was first elected as a Peel School Board Trustee in 1985 to 1990 and was a chairperson from 1988-1990
Later, was elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal in 1993 and was re-elected in three subsequent elections before ending her time in federal politics as an independent MP
Carolyn was expulsed from caucus due to her criticism of US President George W. Bush, Prime Minister Paul Martin, and the Liberal Party
Entered municipal politics in 2006 when Carolyn was elected to represent Ward 6 where she held and lost her seat over the years
How will you strengthen relationships and trust between police services and Muslim communities?
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I have had a Muslim Advisory panel with approximately 30 participants. Have had police advise them on reporting Islamophobia interactions and how to report them. Also education sessions to take back to their mosques.
How will you work with mosques, Islamic schools, and Muslim organizations to improve community safety and emergency preparedness?
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Have been doing so. Need to expand the Mayor’s Advisory panel to include a broader spectrum from the community.
What steps will you take to address Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination?
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Have had our City communications department prepare public action plans and publicized them in public buildings and in information blitzes.
How will you ensure Muslim residents and community organizations have a meaningful voice in municipal decision-making?
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Expand my muslim Advisory Council to a broader base including significant organizations, leaders and age groups from our vast muslim population.
How will you support Muslim organizations that provide community services, settlement support, youth programming, food assistance, and other essential services?
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As we do all such organizations that operate in our city, by recognizing them officially, assisting with funding and connecting with like-minded groups in the broader population with the experience required to operate to a maximum efficiency.
How can the city provide a more nuanced approach to zoning for religious institutions (such as mosques) given their practices, cultures and needs differ?
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Need to be realistic with parking regulations geared to maximum prayer times so we don’t penalize mosques with Community centres when they operate effectively with less parking restrictions on days other than Fridays. Honour Eid with relaxed overnight parking restrictions in neighbourhoods as we do now.
What do you think is the greatest problem the ward is facing, and how do you plan to address it?
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Parking on Fridays and holidays and public understanding of the significance of those days requires acceptance of exceptions to daily regulations like extended parking regulations for Eid as we do now in Mississauga.
