Hossain, Asif

Ontario, Trinity - Spadina, Progressive Canadian Party

Biography

Asif Hossain came to Canada in 1989 at the age of 8. His family had first resided in Montreal before permanently moving to Toronto in 1990. Originally residing in the Beaches-East York area of the city, Asif moved to Trinity-Spadina in 2001 and has lived in the neighbourhood ever since while attending the University of Toronto. Asif will be earning an honours degree in Political Science from UofT in June of 2006, after which he plans to continue to live and work in Trinity-Spadina.

Political history

Asif joined the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2000 while it was under the leadership of The Right Honourable Joe Clark. Committed to reviving the party of Confederation, Asif volunteered to help the PC Party candidate in the Windsor-West riding in the 2000 Federal Election, while attending the University of Windsor that year. In 2001 Asif moved back to Toronto and became active in PC Party politics again in its 2003 leadership race. Asif volunteered at the leadership convention, as well he provided billeting for delegates at his home.

After then PC Party leader Peter MacKay betrayed his word and initiated the 2003 merger with the Canadian Alliance, Asif refused to join the new extreme right-wing Conservative Party. Instead of compromising his principles as the likes of MacKay had done, Asif came together with other moderate conservatives in 2004 who are often referred to as 'red-Tories' and the founding of the Progressive Canadian Party followed. The new PC Party ran 16 candidates in the 2004 General Election, including Asif in Trinity-Spadina, where he finished fifth in a field of eight candidates.

Asif accepted his nomination to stand as PC Party candidate in Trinity-Spadina a second time for the 23 January 2006 General Election.

majority seats = 155