Involvement in politics during my high school years made me who I am today.
Apart from being involved in student council, including a one-year term as president, I also became involved in the Progressive Conservative Party provincially (Ontario) and federally.
My parents were party members, which laid the groundwork, but the person who brought me into party politics was someone I met through a summer job.
I was what is known as Red Tory – generally defined as someone who is fiscally conservative but progressive on social policy. I worked for Red Tory leadership candidates and cabinet ministers.
For the record, I have not voted for the federal Conservative Party since it was created through a merger of the Canadian Alliance Party and the Progressive Conservative Party. I have voted for the Green Party candidate since that time – as have a number of other Red Tories – except once when I voted for the Liberal Party when Paul Martin was leader. Generally, the Conservative Party is too far to the right for my tastes.
Becoming active in party politics was significant in two ways: socially and to my career development.
I developed very close relationship in politics. Many of the friends I made in those early years are still my best friends today (and most of them don’t vote for the Conservatives either). My theory is that you build very strong bonds when you campaign together. You work together, on an event that has a very tight timeline and do-or-die conclusion date. You ride a rollercoaster of emotions together.
Most jobs I’ve had in my life flow from my involvement in party politics. I either worked directly in politics, or government relations, or I got jobs through friends I made in politics.
I strongly encourage young people to get involved in politics, regardless of which party they choose.
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