My immigrant experience taught me resourcefulness: Nil Köksal

Istanbul, Turkey-born immigrant Nil Köksal is a host and correspondent at CBC, where she started as an intern in 2001. Köksal, who also hosts the ongoing series Canadian Dream, was raised in Ontario and B.C. She says all of this has all played a huge role in shaping the journalist she has become.
How was your experience as a young immigrant growing up in Canada?

Nil Köksal

“Coming here at the age of four, I was very well taken care of and young enough to adjust quickly. Losing our huge extended family was a loss I felt and mourned for a long time, even as a young child. While learning English came relatively easily, as I got older adjusting in general, trying to be true to my family’s values and still trying to fit in wasn’t easy.”
How did you get interested in journalism?
“I was always a storyteller. Always talking too much, reading and watching television growing up. TV taught me English. Talking to my dolls allowed me to practise it before I was comfortable enough to venture into the real world. When I was in university and debating where to take my degree, one day watching the news as we always did as a family … something clicked. I thought — I can do that! From then on, I had a singular focus and tried to find out as much as I could about what I needed to do to get into the field.”
How did you get a break in the competitive field of broadcast journalism?
“My immigrant experience taught me resourcefulness. Even after the big move to Canada, we made several more moves within Canada before I was a teen. That gave me the ability to adjust to different places, situations and people very quickly. I also learned from my parents’ example — they are incredibly hard working. Their decision to move here said to me — you can do anything. And though the road was rocky a lot of the time, I always believed in that.”
Aside from being an on-air host, you are also active at various multicultural events as an emcee. How do you like that? 
“I feel most Canadian when I’m out in the community. I really do. Hosting those kinds of events allows me to meet people who are from different countries but share my experience in many ways. It makes me feel deeply connected to them and to Canada. Beyond that — it is fun! Breaking out of the studio to get to talk to people and give them a chance to get to know me a bit better is very rewarding.”
What is your advice to immigrants with young children?
“My biggest advice to parents is to integrate and be involved in your new Canadian community. You can still keep who you are and your values, but it is essential that your children feel they can be part of their new country.”
What was your Canadian dream? Have you achieved it?
“I never stop dreaming or working toward a bigger, better goal. So I’m not finished yet by a long shot! Stay tuned!”

Time for yet another federal election

Canada’s 41st general election was kicked off when Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked Governor-General David Johnston to dissolve Parliament after the Conservatives were defeated in the Commons on a vote of non-confidence recently.

So Canadians will cast a vote on May 2. This could lead to the first majority government Canada has seen in seven years.

The Conservatives are leading in polls by a significant margin. But the opposition parties believe Canadians can be persuaded Harper can no longer be trusted with power.

This general election could cost more than $300 million – the government’s House leader John Baird said this week it would cost $400 million, but it’s impossible to say at this point.

Elections Canada says the 2008 election cost $288.2 million which included $57.9 million that was reimbursed to candidates and parties for expenses.

This time around, parties are also trying hard to bank ethnic vote. While Harper was wielding a cricket bat on the day of the semifinal match between India and Pakistan at the 2011 World Cup, while CIC minister Jason Kenney was at a restaurant watching the match with a bunch of South Asians!