Newmarket
October 16, 2008 10:26 PM
Two previous losses erased with victory Tuesday night
By: Teresa Latchford
The morning after and there is no rest for the victor.
Conservative Lois Brown, Newmarket-Aurora’s MP-elect, has been on the phone since 6 a.m., speaking to family, friends, supporters and even Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, all wanting to congratulate her on her new seat.
Calls were coming in from as far as England and a local constituent called from Austria after reading the election results online.
“No, I’m not still in my pyjamas, I’m up, dressed and working like it is any other business day,” the 28-year Newmarket resident laughed.
She has loose ends to tie up before leaving her business, which advises companies in Ontario and British Columbia on workers compensation, to head to Ottawa to learn the ropes.
She smiled and said she must also find time to have a discussion with her husband, Kelvin, about the shifting of responsibilities.
“I feel like I’ve walked through a door,” she replied when asked if the victory had fully set in. “I met people on this path I never would have met if I hadn’t been on this journey.”
Over the next few days, she doesn’t expect the phone calls to stop, but she does expect the topic of conversation to change, she added.
Ms Brown is looking forward to constituents bringing forward issues she will represent at caucus.
Her first order of business will be making sure Newmarket and Aurora get a piece of the $33-billion building fund earmarked by the Conservative government in this year’s budget for roads, bridges and other infrastructure across Canada.
“I will be the voice at the table,” she said. “I’ll make sure this riding gets its fair share.”
Although she will be busy on Parliament Hill, she won’t forget her constituents.
Door-knocking throughout her campaign offered her insight into the grassroot issues of residents and she can’t promise you won’t get a tap on the door from time to time.
“When you are standing on someone’s doorstep, they tell you what is in their minds and in their hearts,” she said. “My strategy has always been to knock on doors and be active in the community.”
She congratulated all candidates on their campaigns and civility during debates.
“I have witnessed many campaigns with nasty comments,” she admitted. “Here, there was an opportunity for all parties to put their visions forward.”
Not only did she experience a win, but she shares it with her dedicated campaign volunteers, she said.
Ms Brown, the only female candidate in the riding, also hopes her achievement will encourage young women to consider stepping into politics in the future.
“Traditionally it has been a man’s world, but women bring something different to the table,” she added.
It is important all three levels of government work together to make the country and it’s communities stronger, she said.
“We have to work collaboratively,” she said. “No matter what level of government we are working at we have to remember there is only taxpayer.”