Newly-elected Mississauga-Erindale MP Omar Alghabra loves a challenge.

He was late in joining the campaign trail and then became embroiled in a battle with the Canadian Coalition of Democracies (CCD), which erroneously reported that Alghabra had made pro-Islam statements during his nomination acceptance speech in December.

 The CCD eventually issued an apology to him.

 Additionally, the 36-year-old was a first-time candidate and not exactly a household name in the riding.

 Armed with a degree in mechanical engineering, a Masters in business, a strong track record of community involvement and an entrepreneurial spirit, Alghabra found himself in a position of having to define himself and his values for tens of thousands of voters.

 “Every textbook challenge there is for a first-time campaign, I faced it,” Alghabra said.  “We got a late start, a lot of people didn’t know me, we dealt with a smear campaign, we had to build our campaign team and my opponent had run before and had (significant) resources.

 “We focused on our message and I spent five to six hours a day knocking on doors, meeting people.  That was my favourite part (of campaign), meeting people.  You can become buried in the difficult tasks and challenges (of a campaign) and that is stressful.  When I was out meeting people, that was where I really enjoyed being.” 

Now, a little over two months after claiming victory over Dechert,  Alghabra is still meeting people.  In fact, introducing himself to constituents and trying to immerse himself in their concerns sits atop the political neophyte’s priority list.

 “I’m a new face to Mississauga-Erindale, so I want to get to know as many people as I can and have them get to know me.  And, I want to further understand the various challenges and aspirations of the people in my riding,” said Alghabra, who has hired his staff and is in the final stages of securing a constituency office.

 Once his political infrastructure is in place, Alghabra said he will turn his attention to longer-term objectives. 

In addition to sitting in Ottawa as an MP, Alghabra will also serve as the Liberal associate critic of social development.

 “Part of that is the daycare file and that is a big issue.  It resonates for a lot of people here,” he said.  “I want to make a difference and have a positive impact on the people of Mississauga-Erindale, the people of Mississauga and the country.

 (Being elected) is a very humbling experience and it is also a huge responsibility.  The magnitude of that responsibility motivates me and pushes me to work hard. 

Alghabra, who came to Canada in 1989 from his native Saudi Arabia, believes his ability to relate to people from all walks of life will serve him and his constituents well.

 “I put myself in the other person’s shoes to try and understand them and their concerns,” said Alghabra, who shared a two-bedroom Scarborough apartment with three others upon arriving in Canada 17 years ago.

 “I’ve had a lot of different experiences in my lifetime, so I believe I can relate to people and their issues.  I have lived as part of the majority and as a minority.  I think that allows me to be sensitive to and cognizant of both sides.  It heightens your sense of awareness.”