Liberal Candidate Takes a Stand

Wearing her trademark pixie haircut, still dressed in her canvassing outfit – bright red sweater, white shirt and jeans - she greets me warmly as I walk in the door of her Bathurst-Eglington home. The dinnerware from the seder is stacked neatly waiting to be put away – “I keep kosher so anyone can eat in my house.” Everything is remarkably orderly for someone who is immersed in politics – she is the Liberal federal candidate in the Thornhill area – and a human rights educator and activist. In fact, she tells me, she is just finishing two weeks of training for all the deputy judges in Ontario in Diversity and Inclusiveness in the justice system.

“I’m one of the lucky ones whose passion and work have coincided. I never apologize for being driven to succeed in the pursuit of social justice...I am not afraid to take a stand,” she said.

Over 35 years ago, Karen Mock was a pioneer, introducing the first course in multicultural teacher education in Canada, and today is regarded by many of every political persuasion to be an icon in the mine fields of anti-racism, multiculturalism and human rights. She has spent years initiating public education campaigns, including Black/Jewish Dialogue, Muslim/Jewish Dialogue and Arab/Jewish dialogue. Olivia Chow of the NDP says about her, “Karen Mock builds the bridges for others to walk on.”

She has received respect and recognition from all the parties. Chair of Mulroney’s Canadian Multiculturalism Advisory Committee, and in the Liberal government, Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Canadian Secretariat for Canada’s preparation for the World Conference Against Racism in Durban. In 2001, she was appointed Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relation Foundation. Prior to that, she served 12 years as National Director of the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada.

A strong Jewish identity has epitomized and driven the life of Karen Mock. She grew up in her grandfather’s house on Markham Street. Her parents were married while her father was in the army. He was in Holland with the Canadian Armed Forces when she was born. “I am an only child,” she said, “but grew up in an extended family with my mom’s younger brothers and cousins nearby.”

Karen’s grandfather was a tremendous influence on her life. An Orthodox Jew from Poland, she was named after his mother, who was a strong, resilient young widow with small children. “He believed women should be self-reliant and encouraged and supported me. He was very pleased when he heard that I was going to complete my PhD, even with his first great-grandchild on the way.” He also gave me my grounding in Jewish identity.”

King Edward school, her first school reflected the postwar multicultural changes that were happening in Toronto. “I had friends of all backgrounds. When we moved up north to North York, I joined BBYO (B’nai Brith Youth Organization) where the emphasis on brotherhood and sisterhood really had a profound impact on me. Alan Borovoy (counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association) was my ADL (Anti-Defamation League) advisor. And my summer in Israel with BBYO in l961 increased my awareness and understanding of the origins of hatred and impact on world Jewry of the creation of the State of Israel. I’ll never forget visiting the courtroom and seeing Adolph Eichmann in that glass booth. That first visit, cemented my lifelong love of Israel.”

Karen is currently president of the Canadian Friends of Haifa University, a city and university noted for its diversity and relationships between Arabs and Jews.

David, her husband was also supportive. They took turns working and going to school until each had achieved their goals - Karen , a PhD in psychology and David, dentistry. She was the only one of the three women in the faculty of education to have a young family. Today, he is Dean of the U of T Dental School – the first Jewish Dean.

While still in high school, they met at BBYO “I was the sweetheart of his chapter,” she says with an impish grin.

On August 25, 2009, she announced her candidacy for nomination of the Liberal Party for Member of Parliament in the riding of Thornhill. This is her first time running for public office. She will face Conservative MP Peter Kent in the next federal election.

Why the LIberals? “I’ve been a lifelong Liberal because of my work in the non-partisan human rights sector,” she responds with vigour. “I believe in the values of the Liberal Party . Trudeau in 1971 brought in with his policies, the concepts of human rights and multiculturalism. Everything I’ve worked for at the federal level has eroded over the last four years. So for me it’s a logical choice.”

On Israel: “It’s sad that there are some making Israel a wedge issue. The support of the Liberal Party for Israel is unequivocal. I like what the Prime Minister says about Israel, but at the same time, it’s important that we regain Canada’s credibility as a peacekeeper and negotiator, to translate words into action for peace and harmony at home and abroad.”

When asked for a final word she responded without an instant’s hesitation: “You can’t want human rights only for yourself and not for the others.”