I didn’t vote for 21 years. Trump’s attacks on my homeland and Canada changed everything
Fernando Ameth Pinzon, a Panama native raised in Montreal, shares his personal journey as an immigrant in Canada and his newfound realization of the importance of voting in a recent article for CBC’s First Person column.
At 41 years old, having been a Canadian citizen since 2004, Pinzon admits that he has never voted before. Growing up as an immigrant from Panama, the idea of voting never seemed necessary to him or his family. Their main focus was on building a new life in Canada after fleeing the unrest caused by the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989.
The memories of the invasion still haunt Pinzon – the helicopters overhead, the destruction, and the loss of lives. His father made the difficult decision to leave Panama to find a safer place for his family, eventually settling in Montreal after a long wait for sponsorship. When the family finally reunited in Canada in 1996, it felt like a triumph.
As immigrants, the Pinzon family worked hard to assimilate and rebuild their lives in Canada. Voting was not a topic of discussion in their household, as they were focused on survival and integration. However, recent events concerning Panama and Canada caught Pinzon’s attention and made him realize the importance of civic duty.
The threats made by former U.S. president Donald Trump against both Panama and Canada stirred something in Pinzon. The trade war launched by the U.S. and the disrespectful comments towards Canada’s sovereignty pushed him to register to vote for the first time. He understood the weight of his responsibility as a Canadian citizen and the importance of standing up for his beliefs.
In the upcoming federal election, Pinzon is looking for a leader who prioritizes protecting Canadian interests and sovereignty. Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s focus on uniting Canadians against external threats resonates with him, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s divisive rhetoric worries him. Having experienced the impact of U.S. tensions on his family’s story, Pinzon hopes that his vote can help safeguard Canada’s autonomy.
Through his personal story, Pinzon highlights the significance of voting and standing up for one’s beliefs in a democratic society. His journey from Panama to Canada has shaped his perspective on civic duty and the importance of participating in the electoral process. As he prepares to cast his first vote, he urges others to consider the impact of their choices on the future of the country.
