Megan Patterson wants to unseat MLA Greg Lawrence and be the Sask. Party’s new representative in Moose Jaw-Wakamow, and to do that, she has begun campaigning and reaching out to residents.
Patterson held a “Chili and Chat” get-together at the Kinsmen Café on Sept. 23, where she met with about 20 people during the two-hour event and discussed her background while listening to their concerns.
While Lawrence is still in hospital after a motorcycle crash, party leadership gave Patterson the green light to start campaigning before the nomination meeting, which will likely occur once the incumbent is out of medical care.
This was her first official event.
Carol and Carson Chute attended so they could learn more about the Saskatchewan Polytechnic instructor. Moreover, they were interested in hearing from someone with a fresh voice and a different perspective on politics and life.
The Chutes are Sask. Party members, while Mrs. Chute recently campaigned for her brother, Blaine McLeod, who was named Sask. Party nominee in the Lumsden-Morse constituency. She met Patterson and liked what she said and stood for, so she thought she might help on this campaign.
“She’s smart, she’s motivated and willing to really work hard for the people. And she’s family-(oriented), which really interests me,” Mrs. Chute added. “She’s an up-and-comer.”
Munching on a bowl of chili, Orville Francis, his wife Tessa and their two children spent a few minutes speaking with Patterson. Mr. Francis decided to attend because a co-worker gave him a postcard with information about the political hopeful.
Being engaged at the community level is important because politics is about people, and the more citizens are involved in it, the more familiar they will know what is happening where they live and will have the ability to make change, he said.
“She’s somebody from the grassroots of Moose Jaw. I think it’s important to have somebody like that represent us … ,” Francis remarked, noting with a chuckle that he and his wife are not Sask. Party members but soon will be.
“She’s very practical. She’s somebody who you can talk to — and that’s what’s important,” he added. “People who have common sense, who can reason in a very practical way … (that is) attractive to me.”
Two issues important to Francis are the environment and the economy — and the carbon tax encapsulates both of those concerns. He wanted to know where the carbon tax money was going, how it was being used — to plant trees? To build carbon capture and storage venues? — and whether the dollars were going into an account.
“There’s no accountability as to where that money goes … ,” he said, noting carbon taxes are driving up the cost of living and making life harder — especially in the winter.
“That’s why I respect Megan because she reaches out to people (and) she tries to hear the issues,” Francis added. “Whereas, I don’t feel that from other members.”
Patterson was pleased with the turnout, the conversations she had and the fact she has started generating momentum. She believes there is “an appetite for some renewal” in political representation, so she thought the event was a good first step in making that happen.
While she has more events planned, she is also open to speaking to party and non-party members during activities they host.
“Government at all levels is so important. I just wish more people were engaged,” Patterson added. “I know it’s hard because life is so busy … but really, it’s a worthwhile (activity) they need to get involved in.”
