Jim Karygiannis MP celebrates 25 Big Ones

“I will call you back” Scarborough-Agincourt MP’s Mantra

By William Doyle-Marshall

Jim Karygiannis was approached to run provincially in 1987 and that was an unsuccessful attempt. Today he remarks ‘thank God I lost!’. That experience introduced the young Greek-Canadian to the political bug which still bites today.

   He won his first election by a close 800 votes. The thought of running twice to qualify for a pension soon disappeared after realizing that there were many unfinished matters that had to be addressed. Up to today and Jim would like to complete those chores. He is thankful to constituents, members of his family and members of the Ethnic press who have been supporting his efforts along the way. “There were times when I was the only Liberal member endorsed by the ethnic press,” he reflects proudly. As an honourary member of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC), Karygiannis admits being comfortable around ethnic media practitioners.

  The Scarborough-Agincourt Member of Parliament considers himself a politician who stands out in the crowd because he does not only do the talk but makes sure that he does the walk as well. “It’s a good ride. I’ve got my goals as to when I will retire. I have my ambitions and God willing that my constituents will keep returning me and as long as I am in good health and as long as my family is in good health and I have the support of my family, I will be there,” Jim promises. A 25^th anniversary dinner in his honour takes place November 22. Bob Rae, Former M.P. and Former Interim Leader of The Liberal Party of Canada will be the Special Guest at the function. It will be at the Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall, 60 McDowell Gate, Markham, Ontario.
   Having lost his father recently, that set him back a bit as he had to take some time to get his affairs on track. “It’s interesting to note that when you lose your family how badly it hurts and how it can set you back. So with the grace of God and his will, I hope to fulfill my goals and I hope at the end of the day the only legacy I want to leave behind is serving my constituency and making a difference for them and seeing a smiling faces after we help them, that’s enough for me to say okay, one more term. Let’s keep on here.”

  “I will call you back” is the only promise he makes to constituents. While admitting he may not have the right answer for them, or they might not like what he tells them, Karygiannis admits “if you can make just a small, little change in somebody’s life, then you are worth to be returned and if the people that you serve find that you are worthwhile then they will return you or else they will fire you en masse and there is nothing worse than to lose the election and get fired en masse.” Karygiannis’ 25 years in the political arena provides him with the knowledge that when there is a wave against you, there is nothing you can do to escape as the Liberal Party found out within recent times. There are situations where politicians fail and they get turfed out by constituents. “Thank God I am not at that stage and my constituents are supportive of me,” Karygiannis concludes. Up to now he still has the same core area with which he began his political career. He has lost a bit of territory south of Highway 401 and he expects losing a bit of ground east of Midland.

   Proud of not being an absentee politician Karygiannis recounts that members of his family still reside in the neighbourhood. His children went to school there and now live and work as teachers in the same community. Even while door knocking during political campaign children whom his daughters teach recognize him. Jim is very proud to be an integral part of his Scarborough-Agincourt Riding. That is illustrated through his staff who includes His Executive Assistant Kathy Gooch who has been working with him for over 20 years. The parliamentarian is aware that some politicians get elected and they move to Ottawa and they bring Ottawa to the constituency office. He prefers to bring the constituency to Ottawa. Jim has been accused of being absent from Ottawa and there have even been threats by opposing political aspirants to have him removed from office. But having the last laugh Karygiannis states those people found out the hard way that that he has his constituents support.