ADAM OLSEN -- Are you elected to represent the “crown” of power or are you elected by and to represent the peasants?

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich
North and the Islands

Last week I wrote about a podcast series I am listening to called Philosophize This! 

Taken by French philosopher Michel Foucault's work on the idea of the panopticon, I was nervous about referencing these specific philosophical works. After all, I was reflecting on a 20-minute podcast, not my recent readings of the complete works of Foucault or my deep studies of the evolution of philosophical thought leading up to the 20th century thinking on power, authority and social order.

A few people commented to me, about my reference to myself as "a representative of the Crown."

Jason wrote, "Of your entire post I found these words most interesting – “as an elected representative of the Crown,” and has me wondering if your time stuck within those walls of power and corruption is beginning to have their intended effect on you and your colleagues.”

Are you elected to represent the “crown” of power or are you elected by and to represent the peasants …?

I can see how natural protection mechanisms could kick in while being bombarded from all sides; walls go up, people are kept just out of reach, responses become not particularly necessary… Or perhaps it was a simple slip of the tongue. Either way, an interesting topic today."

Take great care!

It is a reminder that no matter how careful I am about the words I use; I have to be careful about the words I choose and how I am using them. I am a representative of the people and the constituency of Saanich North and the Islands.

In addition, I represent the provincial government, the Crown.

For instance, when I attended the healthcare forum at the Mary Winspear Centre last weekend, I was both the representative of the people in the room, and also the representative of the Crown.

They were speaking to the provincial government, and I am the conduit for the people of my riding. In fact, a few individuals spoke directly to the government through me. So, in that sense I represent the Crown but I also represent the people who are vocalizing their interests and needs to me.

I get Jason's point, and in the context of that post as a member of the institution that holds the power and authority in our province (the representative of the Crown), I am very much alive to the impact this has on my constituency (the representative of the people).

Be wary of power

My seat in the Chamber represents Saanich North and the Islands: all the people, flora, fauna and ocean.

I take that responsibility seriously by reflecting on, questioning and understanding my responsibility to my constituents, being thoughtful and the respectful about the decisions I make on their behalf and being wary of the power and authority that is granted us individuals by our constituents.

Thank you to Jason and the handful of others who raised this point.

You have caused me to pause and reflect not only on the honour I have for this brief moment in history to be your representative, but also on the fact that it is my duty to remain crystal clear on who it is that I am representing — and when.

Adam Olsen is the Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Saanich North and the Islands

Born in Victoria, BC in 1976, Adam has lived, worked and played his entire life on the Saanich Peninsula. 

He is a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), where he and his wife, Emily, are raising their two children, Silas and Ella.