Having lived under Middle Eastern dictatorships, Sylvan Lake’s Osny Tawadrous recognizes the signs of oppression creeping in to crush a free society..He isn’t willing to stand by and let it happen in Canada — a country to whom he’s grateful for welcoming him 11 years ago..“I see this culture, I mean the values of these communities, under attack,” said the Egyptian-born and raised Tawadrous who worked in Libya several years..He refers to the erosion of conservative values “Canadian society was built on” including individual freedoms and the traditional family..“I have experienced dictatorship. I know what it is. We can’t allow it to happen in Canada. That’s why I’m willing to stand and fight.”.Tawadrous submitted his application to challenge incumbent MLA Devin Dreeshen for the United Conservative Party (UCP) nomination to represent Innisfail-Sylvan Lake..So far, so good. .No word on the popular Tawadrous, in Sylvan Lake seven years, being disqualified for not passing the Party Candidate Selection Committee’s (PCSC) vetting process..He also needs a nod of approval from the Local Constituency Nomination Committee (LCNC)..Constituency Association (CA) President Charlie Moore is Dreeshen’s uncle. At least one other relative, his cousin Lance Langevin, is a board member..The family ties don’t sit well with many constituency members..“A big fact for me is I don’t have any family members in Canada other than my wife and daughter,” said Tawadrous, who calls his community family..In this case, the UCP would be hard-pressed to resort to its habit of citing alleged racist activities as the main reason used for disqualifying popular challengers to insiders..Sylvan Lake councillor and business owner Kjeryn Dakin was the latest to be disqualified on what some claimed are flimsy grounds..READ MORE Another nomination challenger to UCP insider rejected .If Tawadrous wins the July 19-20 nomination vote, he’ll fight for more than the constituency..“Maybe they will realize I’m beneficial not just to the riding, but to the party and the province. Maybe they’ll let it be fair.”.Tawadrous, an accountant, holds a degree in commerce..He's worked in the oil and gas industry, and in Alberta’s agriculture industry since 2014 with CorNine Commodities Ltd. in Lacombe as a business development manager working on strategic plans for international business..His wife, Rosemary, is a pharmacist at their Sylvan Lake family-owned Pelican Place Pharmasave..He serves in several volunteer positions..“I’m looking at my local community, but I’m looking at the bigger picture,” he said..Whoever replaces outgoing Premier Jason Kenney after the October 6 leadership vote will face ongoing struggles with the federal government to get fair representation for Alberta..“The next premier will need strong voices of MLAs who appreciate Alberta. The fight will not be for the leader only. The leader will need MLAs beside him or her to fight.”.Tawadrous said his agriculture background is an asset..“I could see the struggle we have with just selling our raw commodities, raw materials.”.“We feed the whole world. Instead of this being our main strength and power on the global stage, we have seen other countries bullying us.”.He blames regulations and government mismanagement..“We need strong government behind this. I could see how weak we are when we try to export.”.He believes he could bring newcomers into the UCP tent..“If I win the nomination, I’ll be supporting whoever is running in a riding that has a majority population of newcomers and immigrants. I know how to connect with them.”.“We as conservatives have great values. I’m pretty sure newcomers hold the same values. As conservatives we have done a poor job in communicating our values to newcomers. That’s why lots of them vote NDP or Liberal.”.“I’m worried about the next election, that the NDP will take over the government.”.When he settled in Sylvan Lake, he chose to become part of the community..“We’re Canadians. We’re Albertans. I don’t like the idea of just associating with people who came from the same culture, the same country.”.Instead of merely “making money” and “enjoying the blessings” Canada offered, he vowed to give back..“I can’t describe how much support we received, especially when we opened our own pharmacy. It’s a successful pharmacy only because of the community.”.“I came here, I didn’t take it for granted. I know the value. I cherish this community and this culture and the values this culture has. I’m willing to fight for it to the end.”.He echoes a complaint raised by many throughout Alberta..“When people have concerns, nobody listens. People who have the authority to make decisions say ‘We’re the saviours, so everybody has to listen to what we say.’”.“But you can’t just sit and complain. You need to do something. I say to people, there are other countries where people risk their lives to make change. Here, it’s just $10 for a membership.”.Dreeshen, elected in a 2018 byelection, has had a troubled tenure. He was forced to resign as agriculture minister last November after allegations of heavy drinking surfaced..READ MORE Dreeshen resigns from UCP cabinet after booze allegations
