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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

SHANNON AINSLIE: I have opinions, like everyone else, but hesitate to throw my hat in the ring with those savvy folks who have been politically engaged for decades

IMAGE CREDIT:  Scholars Portal

I didn't grow up with politics. Unlike so many Canadian families, my family didn't debate political issues around the supper table, it was more about the Canuck's latest loss and which child was hiding peas in their napkin. 

Consequently when I left high school, political jargon was foreign, social studies was my toughest subject, and I'd taken zero part in municipal, provincial or federal political movements. 

I went into forestry. First college and then years spent in the bush learning more about communal living, teamwork, and after drawing the short straw, how to build shitters. 

Eventually I had to come back to society to raise a daughter which I wasn't very good at and try to figure out how to be a 'school mom.' Instead of doing homework every night we were doing crazy eights in the snow in the backyard on a Baha Minibike.

I kept up the  writing I'd done my whole life, had a blog, did a column for Castanet and wrote some articles for my current company.

I'm still daft when it comes to all levels of politics, and worse, afraid to ask questions a person my age should know the answers to. I have opinions, like everyone else, but hesitate to throw my hat in the ring with those savvy folks who have been politically engaged for decades. 

Sitting here now, I wonder how many others feel this way? 

How important it is to learn, engage and take part in the future of our communities, provinces and country despite our age and where we're starting from?

Living in a democratic society, we voters have the collective privilege and power to influence the direction our communities go. 

We have an opportunity to advocate for our beliefs and keep our leaders transparent and accountable. 

Maybe putting self doubt aside, and taking the time to understand politics, is less of a choice and more of responsibility.

So I'll conclude by saying, "Starting now is better than not participating at all."



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