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Ahmed Yousef For Maple Ridge City Council
9-19-2018
Who am I?
Husband. Father. Business professional. Consensus builder. Volunteer. Car enthusiast. Democracy lover. Optimist.
Education
Master of Arts – International Relations – Bircham International University
Bachelor of Arts – Political Science – The American University in Cairo
Volunteering
Since arriving in Maple Ridge in 2010, I have been an active volunteer in the community. Among the groups I have been affiliated with are Scout Canada, Hope for Freedom Mat Program and Operation Red Nose.
Why I chose Maple Ridge
With the ability to live and raise our children anywhere, my wife and I chose Maple Ridge and have never looked back. Having visited more than 30 counties and lived, for extended periods of time in Canada, the USA, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, when it came time to choose the best place to raise our children, Canada won hands down. Spending most of my life under a dictatorship and majoring in Political Science I came to know Canada as a beacon of freedom and democracy. However, no studies, books, or theories come close to capturing the essence of this great country. During our first visit to Maple Ridge, I fell in love with the natural beauty and spirit of the friendly people we found here. I was smitten by the majesty of the Golden Ears Mountains and the cool dampness of the rain forests. To have rivers, waterfalls, lakes and streams adds to the attraction. I’m fascinated by the First Nations’ history and Billy Miner’s legacy proudly on display in Port Haney. I wrote home about Maple Ridge, sharing the poetic description on the city’s website: “rivers of bounty and peaks of gold.”
Ultimately, it was the people of Maple Ridge that won us over;—they were warm, down to earth and welcoming— attributes that spilled over into the business community. It was here that I found my inspiration to get involved in the community, to be a part of giving back and working alongside others to make things better. My wife and I feel honored to be part of this community and are very proud to call Maple Ridge home.
Why Politics?
Last year, a friend approached me with great frustration and fear. The business he built to provide for his family was under threat. Customers of his car repair shop, located within meters of Tent City, were being accosted and harassed. Cars were being vandalized and broken into and anything not bolted down was stolen. I stepped up and built a coalition of downtown businesses suffering from similar issues. We approached the municipal government and presented our delegation to Mayor and Council. For over a year, I regularly attended council meetings and workshops and took a keen interest in educating myself on the workings of local government. With a degree in Political Science and a resume that includes postings with several governments, I felt at home. Seeing this as the government level that most directly affects the lives of residents, it was easy to picture myself adapting my skill set, knowledge and experience to the decision-making process at city hall. I also knew my way around the city from an earlier contract assignment with the Economic Development office. Quickly I became consumed with how I could contribute. I did a lot of listening and learned that the issues that matter to people are those that impact them right here at home: homelessness, crime, no jobs, lack of shopping, poor transit. I was ready to go to work.
Campaign Office:
(604) 715-5627
https://www.voteyousef.com/
Email: voteyousef@gmail.com
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