Zed Chebib
Zed Chebib | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ziad Chebib 1955 (Age 68 or 69) |
| Citizenship | Canadian |
| Political party | Independent |
| Children | 4 |
Zed Chebib (Born Ziad Chebib, 1955[1]) is a Lebanese-born Canadian limousine driver and police reform advocate who is most known for being deported from Australia despite having resided in the country with his family for over a decade.[2] He was a candidate in the 2022 Ottawa mayoral election, finishing in last place with 0.08% or 264 votes.[3]
Biography[edit]
Born in Lebanon, Chebib emigrated to Canada in 1976.[2] He resided in Calgary where he operated a limousine business and became a naturalized citizen.[4] He emigrated to Australia alongside his wife and four children in 1999 due to two of his siblings already living there.[5][6] According to Chebib, 85 members of his extended family live in Australia.[7] He attempted to seek permanent residency in Australia but was rejected because he was unable to meet income requirements of a business visa.[6]
In 2006, immigration authorities informed Chebib that his initial visa had expired, however, he was granted a temporary reprieve from the Australian government.[5] He tried to appeal to Canadian diplomats, but was rejected.[8][9] While being detained at Maribyrnong immigration detention centre in 2010 he began a hunger-strike in hopes the Australian government would grant him a visa.[10][11] Chebib was flown to Vancouver and then Toronto, after ending his hunger strike he claimed to suffer heart palpitations and was denied an ambulance.[10]
Upon returning to Canada, Chebib protested outside of the Australian Embassy where Ottawa Police allegedly attacked and arrested him.[12] He filed a lawsuit against the officers, claiming that they had breached his civil rights and seeking nearly 2 Million Canadian dollars in damages. After nearly nine years of trial, a judge ordered him to pay each officer $1,000 due to evidence that the arrest did not cause his injuries.[12]
Chebib ran for Mayor of Ottawa in the 2022 Ottawa mayoral election, campaigning on police and housing reform.[1][13] Not having a campaign website, he sent a website describing solutions to homelessness to media.[14] He finished in last place with 0.08% or 264 votes.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Meet your candidates for mayor". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ a b "Australia set to deport Canadian". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ a b "2022 Official election results". City of Ottawa. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Australian government isn't saying when Canadian on hunger strike will be deported". Red Deer Advocate. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ a b "Canadian hunger-striker deported from Australia". CTVNews. 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ a b "Man deported from Aust sues for $A2.35m". 9News. 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ Shephard, Michelle (2009-12-07). "Hunger striker protests deportation to Canada". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Calgary émigré deported from Australia". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ Duncan, Jamie (2010-01-28). "Hunger-striking Canadian arrested at shops". news.com.au. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ a b Duncan, Jamie (2010-02-04). "Deported Canadian claims mistreatment". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Canadian facing deportation in Australia goes on hunger strike". The Globe and Mail. 2009-12-05. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ a b Laucius, Joanne (2019-10-24). "Judge dismisses $2 million excessive force lawsuit against three Ottawa officers". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Mairie d'Ottawa : le logement, enjeu central pour les candidats". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). 2022-09-15. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ Crawford, Blair (2022-10-28). "Beyond the big three, Ottawa's mayoral hopefuls struggle to be heard". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 2024-07-14.