Politics can be inspiring!

I'm taking the time this Sunday evening to look out the window while drinking my tea. Normally, this late snowfall would be very discouraging to me - especially coming out of a second pandemic winter. But not today. My mind is at ease and my heart is open as I wrap up a particularly inspiring week.

Thursday night I participated in a virtual hybrid event with Amita Kutner, Elizabeth May and Mike Morrice, "Onwards and Upwards". How inspiring it was to hear from my green colleagues. Later in the week, I attended a mini-training with Lynne Lund, a member of the Prince Edward Island provincial legislature.

If you ever had any doubts about electing a Green candidate, I encourage you to follow any of these people on social media! To me, they are all role models who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the well-being of their communities. They are loyal to their posts and never miss an opportunity to speak up about the urgent need to act in order to avoid the climate disasters that await us or to defend the rights of marginalized communities.

On Friday, I attended the Fridays For Future Ottawa group's annual Global Climate Strike. Young people know all too well what lies ahead given the lack of political action on the climate crisis. In fact, I think they may know more than most adults! They are calling on all of us to stop burying our heads in the sand and recognize the seriousness of the situation! It was inspiring to feel the solidarity and commitment of those present.

Then, to close my week, I attended a luncheon for “Le mois de la francophonie” and International Women's Rights Day organized by Yvette Ashiri. The guest of honour, Roda Muse, shared with us her journey that led her to be the Secretary General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO since last May. She encouraged us to get involved in the community through volunteering, to dare to take risks and follow opportunities, to create connections to work together to break down the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequities such as racism.

Running an election campaign, I won't hide from you, is a demanding job! It requires an investment of energy and time that is hard to measure. However, after a week like this one, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. I feel nourished by these beautiful meetings. I am inspired by these people who, like me, are dedicated to a vision of a healthier and more equitable world for us all.

With all that is going on in the world today, it would be easy to abandon ship and just give up. Connecting with others who believe we can do better, taking action with those people to advance the issues we care about, is what keeps us hopeful and moving forward together! This is what propels me forward, motivates me to keep going and gives me courage to persevere!