Horizon Weekly Interview with Norair Serengulian, candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada nomination contest in Ahuntsic-Cartierville

Horizon Weekly Interview with Norair Serengulian, candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada nomination contest in Ahuntsic-Cartierville –

Recently, Horizon Weekly editor Vahakn Karakashian interviewed Norair Serengulian, candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada nomination contest in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, in order to develop a better understanding of Mr. Serengulian and what he is about. We should remember here that the Armenian National Committee of Montreal and the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada have endorsed Norair Serengulian. Here are some excerpts of that interview:

Vahakn Karakashian: How has your campaign been coming along?

 Norair Serengulian: The response to the campaign has been phenomenal. People have welcomed my positive campaign that is based on integrity, respect, and dialogue. Some have even been surprised that I have promised to listen more than I speak. The residents of Ahuntsic-Cartierville have had plenty to say, and I have been listening closely to their hopes, challenges, and concerns. As the campaign unfolds, I will share some of the comments and aspirations that people have shared with me. For now, however, I would just like to say that the warmth and support that people have shown to me is truly an inspiration.

V.K.: What made you decide to become a candidate for the Liberal nomination contest? What was your decision process like?

 N.S.: There are a number of reasons why I decided to become a candidate, but at the heart of all those reasons is my desire to offer my passion, my dedication, and my years of experience to serving my fellow citizens, our riding, our province, and Canada

 Although the final decision to become a candidate was mine, it was not taken alone. I consulted my wife and daughter, as well as close friends, senior community leaders, and experienced senior Liberal party members. I feel very fortunate to have the support and advice of my family and friends.

V.K.: Tell us more about your experience?

N.S.: When I speak of experience, I am referring not only to my professional and political experience. My experience is so much more than that. I am a husband, a father, a son, an active community worker, and a dedicated member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

 Professionally, I am a strategy and marketing consultant, having worked for billion-dollar corporations, and for the last ten years as a consultant to small and medium sized businesses.

 At a young age, I was taught the importance of contributing to the well-being of the community. While at Concordia University, I was the President of the Armenian Students’ Association. For the last 21 years, I have served the community as a member of the Armenian National Committees. I have been president of the ANC of Laval for 5 of those years, president of the ANC of Montreal for two years, Armenian Community Centre of Montreal Board member, and a member of the ANC of Canada executive committee for the last three years.

 Alongside my involvement in the community, for twenty years, I have worked hard for the Liberal Party in whose principles I strongly believe. From young member to director, to Policy Officer, to serving as Liberal riding association president, I have gained the political and organizational experience required to contribute to the success of the LPC in Ahuntsic-Cartierville.

 Our campaign website ( www.Norair2015.ca ) or our campaign Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/Norair2015 ) has more information for those of your readers who wish a more detailed look at my experience. Or, they may wish to contact the campaign directly by emailing us at Norair2015@gmail.com .

V.K.: Why is it important for you to run a positive campaign that is based on integrity, respect, and dialogue?

 N.S.: The last ten years in Canadian politics has seen a rise in negative campaigns and a drop in Canadians’ interest in politics. I’m a political party member and I’m tired of seeing it. I was never fond of such negative politics, and was fortunate enough to have served candidates who never took part in that type of politics. It divides rather than unites. It destroys rather than builds. When I decided to run, I decided to remain true to my principles and values, and run a positive campaign. When you run for office, you run for your principles and to serve the people, you have to stand for something and just being against something is not enough.

 And so my positive campaign is based on integrity, action, and real experience. It is about listening and serving. It is about bringing together people and their ideas, rather than creating divisions and negativity.

 I want my family, friends, supporters, and all the residents of Ahuntsic-Cartierville to be proud of the type of campaign that we are running.

V.K. What is the status of your campaign?

 I would like to start off by saying that I have a really great team of volunteers and supporters. Young and old, experienced and not experienced, our team of volunteers has shown world-class dedication and efforts. I am so grateful and proud of this constantly growing team.

 As to the status of the campaign, I mentioned earlier that I have had a great outpouring of support from many areas in the riding. We are on track for a successful nomination win, but we still have work to do and we still need people to join our campaign. In any election, nothing can be taken for granted. Let me provide you with an example. In a recent nomination contest, one candidate was said to have signed up 1500 members. Yet this candidate lost to another candidate who is said to have signed up only 900 members. There is a very important lesson to be learned here, which is never to take a win for granted, and that is why we have to recruit as many members as possible. It is also why we have to make sure that as many of them as possible come out to vote.