Preyma runs for Parliament in Etobicoke Center riding (06/20/04)

Preyma runs for Parliament in Etobicoke Center riding

TORONTO - During the June 28 federal election in Canada, 30-year-old Ukrainian Canadian Lida Preyma is the Conservative Party's candidate in the Etobicoke Center riding (district) in the west-end of Toronto.

A first-time candidate, she represents a new generation of younger Canadians whose commitment to their country and concerns about its future well-being are attracting them to public service.

The honorary co-chairs of Ms. Preyma's campaign are Michael Wilson, former minister of finance in Canada; Con Di Nino, member of the Canadian Senate; and Andrew Witer, a former Member of Parliament who now is actively involved in business in both Canada and Ukraine.

Since the election was called on May 23, Ms. Preyma's campaign has progressed well; her election signs are up all over the riding and she has been very well-received as she has spoken to voters.

She has been interviewed on CBC-TV, on TV Ontario and CTV Newsnet, and was featured twice in the Toronto Star, Canada's largest circulation daily newspaper. She has been interviewed and featured on Ukrainian television in Toronto. An Open House on June 3 attracted an overflow audience and a wine and cheese reception scheduled for June 21 looks like another sold-out event.

A Catherwood Scholar who majored in international relations at the University of Toronto, Ms. Preyma was a research analyst for the international media at the G-8 Summit in Evian, France, and works in the securities industry with BMO Nesbitt Burns and Guardian Capital.

She was hired by the program sponsor, Magna International, to manage the prestigious As Prime Minister Awards program - an essay-writing competition for university students with innovative ideas about how Canada could be better governed - after being a program finalist herself.

Ms. Preyma is a member of the Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce, Toronto Board of Trade and the International Young Democrat Union. Her volunteer activities include working with the Women in Transition shelter, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Out of the Cold program and the Ukrainian Canadian Care Center nursing home.

She noted that she is running for Parliament because "Decision-making in government must include economic, social and environmental considerations at every step. This can only come from ethical leadership - making thoughtful decisions and not settling for quick, easy or politically-expedient solutions."

She added, "It's time to change politics - we need fresh ideas and fresh faces in Ottawa. I have been an ardent Conservative for many years and want to demonstrate this in public office. Etobicoke Center deserves a member who lives in the riding, cares about our community, and can make it proud."

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