Politicians are not held in high regard these days. Not surprising given international attention for mayoral drunken stupors, Senators’ mishandling of funds, pervasive graft in Montreal and a former PM pocketing envelopes stuffed with cash. In the midst of this dark cynicism, Elizabeth May stands out like a beacon.
I first met her at a Town Hall meeting on Pender Island, shortly after her election as Member of Parliament for the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding and the lone Green Party MP on the Hill. (On December 13, Bruce Hyer changed from Independent to Green, doubling the size of the Green Party.) She was practicing her philosophy: “the best way to stay in touch with voters is direct and face to face.” Not only does she hold two town hall meetings per year in every part of her riding, but in 2013 she took the tour, titled Save Democracy from Politics, across the country.
A smiling face, highlighted by twinkling blue eyes, exuded confidence and charisma. May showed no pomposity, no aura of self-importance. Instead, she was friendly, down-to-earth and brimming with vitality. She was like the Energizer Bunny, in constant motion, and with an impressive mental agility. “It’s such a thrill to be a Member of Parliament,” she enthused and thanked us for electing her. At one point, she did a little jig to confirm the success of her recent hip replacement.
Since then, I have followed her career closely. Elizabeth Evans May was born in Connecticut in 1954 and moved to Nova Scotia with her family at age 18. She entered Dalhousie University, having received a letter of reference from then Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton, a family friend, and graduated with a LLB in 1983. Subsequently, she worked on a number of high-profile environmental cases. From 1989 to 2006, she was the (founding) executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada. She is a member of the Order of Canada. She has a daughter, Victoria May Burton, who is studying at university, and May’s voice fills with love and pride when she speaks about her.
May has been a dynamo on the Hill. Her fellow MPs voted her Parliamentarian of the Year in 2012 and Hardest Working Parliamentarian in 2013, impressive accolades for someone in the backbenches.
One of May’s passion is to bring civility to the House, something notably lacking, especially during Question Period. “I decided to sit down whenever I was heckled during a speech,” she says. “I didn’t think it would work, but to my surprise, the Speaker liked my approach and now asks for quiet and then gives me the floor again. My approach is to never insult anyone. I want to create greater collaboration across party lines.”
May likes to think outside the box, she may even be considered eccentric. Her office on Parliament Hill, for example, is so crammed with staff that, to save space, she uses her small desk in the House of Commons. She works there even when the House is sitting, thus attending far more debates than any other MP. And, when appropriate, she stops her work and speaks up and votes. Her riding is well represented indeed.
A few weeks later, she and I sat in her Sidney constituency office with Spunky, her blonde Shitzu dog, playing under the table. I asked how May chose this riding and if it was just a stop of convenience. “This was one of the greenest ridings in Canada,” she explained. “Furthermore, I have good connections in British Columbia.” When I asked where she sees herself in 10 years, she answered emphatically, “Here! I want to represent this riding as an MP for the next 20 years, until I retire.” May, a boomer, is 59.
But can she help her constituency as the lone Green Party member? “I’m in a unique position where I don’t have to toe any party line,” says May. “I’m far more effective than any backbencher.” She didn’t mention that she also has good leverage because she receives far more media attention than most other MPs, even cabinet ministers.
One of the pillars of May’s success is her incredible work ethic. Her Operations Manager Jonathon Dickie explains, in awe, “Elizabeth works 15 to 18 hours a day. She’s constantly on the go.” May also has a large staff of 10 paid employees and about 30 volunteers between her Ottawa and Sidney offices. May looked tired as she said, “We handle 400,000 pieces of mail each year. We’re seriously underfunded.”
She infrequently takes a day off. “To relax, I enjoy cooking and inviting friends over,” she says. “Of course, I also love to write.” She has written seven books and is currently penning her eighth.
Carlton University Masters student Craig MacNaughton is an intern at May’s office: “I feel strongly about democracy and liberty,” he says, “and I admire Elizabeth for fighting for these issues.” He adds, “There’s a real feeling of excitement working for her.”
Our talk turned to the recent Senate scandal and the state of federal politics. May proposed several solutions. “First, we need to re-establish the independence and scientific capacity of the civil service. Second, we should get rid of first-past-the-post elections and have proportional representation. Third, we should get rid of the requirement for the party leader to sign nomination papers for party members to run.” She also proposes a large reduction in the power of the Prime Minister’s Office. Furthermore, she added, “Climate change is a frightening threat that we must confront.”
On the local riding level, May is helping individuals unravel problems they are having with the federal bureaucracy. That she cares for her constituents shows. “At any given time, we have about 200 cases on the go,” she says.
“I’m delighted we were able to prevent the closure of the Centre for Plant Health in Sidney. I am also working to ensure the proposed National Marine Conservation Area for the southern Strait of Georgia proceeds,” she says. “I would like this area to become an Innovation Laboratory. The Saanich Chamber of Commerce is boosting affordable housing, and this area is ahead of the curve in developing local food security and decreasing the carbon footprint. There is huge potential and we need to be creative.”
Our meeting ended and I headed onto the darkening Sidney street. I was quietly pleased to have seen that inside this politician resides a warm and caring person.
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