Inspired by CCLA
In my final year of high school I needed five Ontario Academic Credits (OAC) to graduate, and complete the requirements to enter Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Needing a social science credit, I added OAC Politics only because it fit my schedule and gave me a first period spare. One day, the teacher told me about a one-day conference on civil liberties that she’d heard about [CCLET holds annual Fundamental Freedom conferences for high school students with the Toronto District School Board.] She had heard great things about this organization, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and thought we would get a lot out of the event. I only remember the chance to skip class for a day and head downtown!
I had no idea what was in store. The speakers, the discussions, and the wonderful speech by Mr. Alan Borovoy at the end of event are with me still. At that moment, the CCLA seriously worsened the confusion I felt about my future. But it was a good kind of confusion, one that excited me about a completely new set of possibilities.
Two degrees in political science later, I recall that semester as a tipping point in my life. That course allowed me to step back and really think about what I wanted out of life. Last year I had the fortune of running into Mr. Borovoy again, and I told him how much the CCLA event and his speech affected me. “How did it change me”, he asked. I recounted for him that I was heading into engineering after high school, but decided, in part because of that day, to pursue a career in politics instead. With his characteristic charm he jokingly apologised for ruining my life. I told him whatever the opposite of “ruining” was, that’s what he did for me.
Waqas Iqbal was a senior intern at the Ontario legislature in 2008-2009. He has applied to law school for the Fall 2010 term.
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“This program effectively engages students in critical thinking and allows them to explore controversial issues and viewpoints in a safe and respectful environment.” – Christina Rajabalan, Teacher, East York Collegiate Institute, Toronto, Ontario
“Thought-provoking questions were presented and kept the students engaged and thinking. A great supplement to the curriculum!” – Teacher, Riverside Secondary School, Windsor, Ontario
