Maj.-Gen. (ret’d) Lewis W. MacKenzie, CM, OOnt, MSC and Bar, CD:

“ I can think of no finer choice to represent you in Parliament than Beryl Wajsman. The term, “shaker and mover” was coined to describe Beryl’s role in Quebec’s important causes and challenges. Never content to take on one challenge at a time Beryl possesses the uncanny ability to operate simultaneously on multiple fronts and to capture the imagination and support of a cross section of Quebeckers while doing so. 

If you desire a strong, articulate and passionate voice from Quebec representing the government’s values and priorities in that province you need look no further than Beryl Wajsman, a proven patriot.”

 

The Hon. David Kilgour, JD

(in picture he is speaking at our Institute for Public Affairs conference on Darfur; Maj.-Gen.Lewis MacKenzie is to my left.

“I’m very pleased to endorse Beryl Wajsman for nomination as the Conservative candidate for Mount Royal in the upcoming federal election. We live in difficult times on many domestic and international issues. Beryl is someone who knows the values of those who live in the riding, and can represent effectively constituents of all ages, walks of life, and backgrounds. He knows too that the first and last loyalty of a representative is to be a voice for the concerns of electors.In short, he would be an excellent Member of Parliament,”

 

Jonathan Wener, C.M.

“Please join me in supporting the candidacy of our friend Beryl Wajsman for the federal Conservative nomination in Mount Royal riding. I’m sure you know of his extraordinary record as President of the Institute for Public Affairs and Editor-in-Chief of The Suburban Newspaper Group. Among other achievements he is a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for community service, the Martin Luther King, Jr. award for the “promotion of human dignity”, a Parliamentary Certificate of Recognition for “contributions to Canadian democracy” and the Charles Hawkins Memorial Trophy for best national editorial writing.

“I want you to do what so many of our friends have done who live in Mount Royal riding and take out a membership in the Conservative Party of Canada so you can vote for Beryl at the nominating convention when it is held. We could not have a better advocate – the primary role of a Member of Parliament – than Beryl Wajsman. This is important to all of us who want to live in a just society and a prosperous Canada.”

International human rights advocate Nazanin Afshin-Jam
(in picture at left I am with the Hon. Irwin Cotler, Nazanin and the Hon. David Kilgour as we spoke in the Parliamentary Press Gallery prior to a demonstration we had organized outside the Chinese Embassy on human rights in that country)

“I’ve know Beryl for many years to be a passionate and dedicated advocate for human rights. He has been key in initiating many important, discussions , actions and articles against egredgious violations of human rights around the world. I am thrilled he is putting his name forward as a candidate for election and proud to support him. We need more bright , compassionate people like Beryl elected to office. He represents a strong voice for the voiceless.”

 

The Rev. Darryl G. Gray
(in picture receiving a Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award for the promotion of human dignity from Rev. Gray and Yolande James, then Quebec Minister for Cultural Communities at the Salle d’Honneu of Montreal City Hall)

“Beryl Wajsman has done a unique service to this community in merging the assets of social action and media power to raise conscience and consciousness on the challenges that befall our citizens. His work is not theory. It is roll up your sleeves, get on the streets and get down and dirty to help folks in trouble. Along the way he has achieved many firsts.

When he was warned that there was no precedent for combining social action and media, his response was “Then we’ll create one” and we have. 

“I say we because I have been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Beryl as he has with me. Beryl’s work extends beyond Quebec. His Institute for Public Affairs insured a flow of resources to the “Lawyers Feed the Homeless” program in Toronto which serves 1500 people a week. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina I was privileged to work with him to establish the first partnership between the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a Canadian NGO which saw his network organize dozens of para-medics – more than many nations – to help in the SCLC’s Delta Relief Project in the wake of that tragedy’s devastation. 

“Paramount on his agenda is the fight against racism and prejudice. In whatever form it takes. Beryl has continued to defend with vigour and resolve all the victims of this soul-deadening killer. He has successfully confronted authorities. He has spoken truth to power. Victims of nullification and interposition could have no better champion. But perhaps as important as all that is that Beryl has been able to teach all those he has touched, and who have been touched by him, some very important lessons: to view the world through the eyes of its victims; that the vulnerable are no less human and that the unempowered no less worthy of our compassion.These have been his greatest gifts. And as much as anything, that is why we stand with him today. 

“My politics are personal. I am proud to say that Mount Royal could have no better Member of Parliament than Beryl Wajsman.”

John F. Angus, former Tory strategist:
(in picture at left at Institute conference on trade and security in the post 9/11 era I am with the Hon. Perrin Beatty; Thomas d’Aquino, then Chair of the Conference Board of Canada; former CIA Director R. James Woolsey and John F. Angus)

“This is the news I have been waiting for, for a long, long time. 

I know that Beryl would make a wonderful MP and likely much sooner than later, a great Minister.  Beryl would tackle both the moral and practical issues of the day with his customary wisdom, courage and logic.  He has been heard and thoroughly appreciated by all estates in Quebec and if he wins, he will be heard across country. 

Beryl’s firm grasp of issues both local and international, his prodigious memory, linguistic abilities, moral compass and his courage will be enormously important in the House. Canadians need Beryl as these are complex and stressful times. 

All Canadians would benefit and so electing Beryl is something that I support wholeheartedly.”

 

Peter I.K. Fletcher, President, Lac St.Louis Federal Conservative Association

 “Beryl, you are the logical choice to represent Mount Royal !! 

Let’s spread the word !! I know you will do great things for all Montrealers.”