After almost 18 years in office serving the riding of Beaches/ East York, Maria Minna cleaned out her Ottawa office on May 12 almost in a state of denial. Oh, as a seasoned politician, she accepts her loss as part of the process, but her fears are for the future of the country. She believes the failure of the Liberal Party is “not healthy” for Canada.
On a personal level, she said that she “had accomplished most of the things [she] set out to do.” She pointed with pride to her work on women’s immigration rights, the national childcare program (cancelled by Harper) and as vice-chair of the committee on housing strategy. Her greatest pride is in the national child tax benefits program which she and eight other MP fought for and won. And while she has a number of international awards, she feels that her best efforts were in the community.
“It’s my job to look for how the government can help the community.”
When asked if she had any advice for Matthew Kellway, she thought for a moment and said “Never take anything for granted and remember the needs of the country come first.”
While Minna hasn’t made any long term plans, she will undoubtedly stay active.
“I have become part of the community, it’s my family.”
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