Somewhere between Kandahar and Mozart

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

This week I'm off the campaign trail, sort-of, and back at work as a family doctor filling in at the Wynyard Community Clinic. While it's a challenge to have to keep working while maintaining a busy campaign schedule, it also allows me to go back and be reminded why I have taken this step into public life.

In patient visits I hear the complaints and concerns of life in rural Saskatchewan, of life on the farm, in small towns and on reserve. I work with the individual to address their immediate needs, but I also listen for the larger societal questions. And I am constantly reminded that while I can help with the problem of the day, the challenges people face are more often political than they are medical: problems of access to services like home care, nutrition education, or physical therapy, inability to afford medications, inadequate support for seniors or difficulty traveling to seek specialist care. These are the issues we must address as we work toward a healthier society.

I say sort-of off the campaign trail because I take advantage of my evenings off to reach out to local members. Reg and Sheila Glennie of Wadena hosted a coffee party at their home one evening. Sharon Armstrong, mayor of Wynyard, called together members to meet at the clinic the next night.

Between short notice, bad weather, apathy and attrition, the turnout was small. Small but mighty. I had great conversations with older party members, some into their 90s. It was very interesting to hear these pioneers, stalwart workers for the party, and their views on where we needed to go in the future. They universally lament the lack of involvement of their children and grandchildren, all of whom vote NDP but none of whom are members. They talk of the need for a generational change, and for a renewal of democracy in order for the party to thrive. They recognize that if we are going to involve a new generation we need to talk about the issues that concern them, about living up to our responsibility of environmental stewardship, about addressing the inequalities that still exist in our society. And of course they are generous with their support, pledging votes and offering donations. They are so pleased to have someone come out to listen to their concerns and offer them hope that a new generation is ready to bear the standard of social democracy. It is inspiring to me to meet people who could simply be looking back, resting in the knowledge that they worked hard and well, and discover that they are still thinking about a long-term vision for the future.

I was the last candidate to enter the race and I'm still working and seeing patients. While I will travel throughout the province on this campaign, it won't be possible for me to visit every constituency by June 6th. But through my work I am very fortunate. I have worked in many communities throughout the province from Ile a-la Crosse to Esterhazy, Turtleford to Imperial. And in each of the towns I visit I get to know people, to know Main Street and the backroads, and to come to a fuller understanding of this fascinating province. This work, this exposure to the struggles and dreams, the joys and disappointments of Saskatchewan people, will serve me well as leader of the NDP.