The life of a politician isn’t an easy one. Limited family time, an extensive workload and public scrutiny does not sound like criteria for a job many would want to apply for. And yet, every four years our lawns are littered with signs from people vying for his or her chance at federal leadership. The missed kids’ soccer games, minimal hours of sleep and senseless Twitter jabs from an array of egg Avi’s must all be worth it somehow. I believe that a politician’s drive is just different. While many people simply imagine a better town, province or country, a politician wants to roll up his or her sleeves to physically influence that better to happen.

I was lucky enough to have met the Prime Minister of Canada and his Parliamentary Secretary at a Black History Month event on Parliament Hill. Municipal, provincial and federal government officials and their teams work diligently to ensure that the citizens under their scope of jurisdiction obtain the services they require. If you’re thinking about a change of career and to try your hand at politics, my suggestion would be to do your research. Speak to a few local politicians at various levels of government. Also, speak to their staff members as they provide support and can add great perspective and value to the questions you may have.

Myself with The Honourable MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Celina Caesar-Chavannes and myself with The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau