ADAM OLSEN -- I may have started in politics because someone asked me to put my name on that ballot – now I run for public office because good public policy is important to me
This coming week, I am speaking at a couple of sessions about running
for public office. It gets me to thinking about my own path to the British
Columbia legislature.
I grew up on Tsartlip First Nation. Our family
property on Stelly's is right across the street from the municipality of
Central Saanich. While I'm a Central Saanich kid, there is an important
distinction. I live on the reserve. It's always been my home and we still live
there. I went to school in Central Saanich, I played baseball in Central
Saanich, but my politics were reserve politics. It's a completely different
world living under the Indian Act.
Walk before you run
In the fall of 2007, both my sister Joni and I were nominated for
Tsartlip council elections. Emily was in her third trimester with Silas and he
was due on the day of the election. So, my first wise political decision was to
withdraw my name from the ballot. I didn't think I should start a family and
political career on the same day. Joni's first election in early December marks
the beginning of the political careers of the Olsen kids. 12 years later, we
are still going.
Will they press the issue, ask the tough questions, seek information,
and knock on any door?
In early 2008, Central Saanich Councillor Zeb King asked me if I had
ever thought about running for municipal councillor. While politics was fresh
in my family, Central Saanich Council wasn't on my radar. Going back to the
top, it's a completely different world. Growing up under the Indian Act is
nothing like growing up under the Local Government Act.
On my side of the street, we can possess land, not own it. Relationships
about land are messy and it's the source of much of the internal strife on
Indian reserves across Canada. So, when I stepped across the road to run in the
2008 Central Saanich municipal elections, I had no idea what I was getting
myself into.
Going for it
It took about six months of talking with Zeb before Emily and I made the
decision we would go for it. Emily was planning on going back to her job at
Canada Post once her maternity leave was done. My plan was to work from home
with Silas, and Council was going to be part of that work.
November 2008, one year after Joni's election, marks the beginning of my
public service.
I remember then-Mayor Jack Mar saying to me on inauguration night that I
would not know what I was doing for the first 18 months of my initial
three-year term. "Come on Jack!" I said. "I'm a quick
study!" After all, I had just got the second-highest number of votes
on the councillor ballot! I could overcome anything!
Little did I know, and through the ensuing weeks I found out how little
I knew.
Official community plans, zoning bylaws, multi-million-dollar budgets,
tax rolls, mill rates - none of this is part of Indian Act living! However, as
it turns out I was a pretty quick study. The ability to understand new
information in a wide variety of areas, and quickly recall it whenever it is
needed, is a critical skill in my job!
Why?
One of the most common questions for a person in public office is,
"Why did you run for public office?" The most common response
is, "Because someone asked me to."
I may have started in politics because someone asked me to put my name
on that ballot. However, I run for public office because good public policy is
important to me.
I like the work and it suits my personality. I enjoy the tempo and pace.
Meeting people for coffee and talking about community excites me.
Building networks by connecting people is my strength. This work matters and
the quality of life now, and in the future, depends on this work being done
well.
So, when I am asking people if they will consider running for public
office, I want them to think past my ask. I want to know why they are doing it.
What do they want to accomplish? Are they going to go-along to get-along? Or,
will they press the issue, ask the tough questions, seek information, and knock
on any door?
Adam Olsen ... is a Green
Party 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.
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