Daniel Keyes
March 13, 2009

Lois Brown is a rookie MP. It took her over three decades to get to this point since getting involved in politics at the age of 18.

“There has not been a municipal, provincial or federal election that I have not licked stamps, folded papers, stuffed envelopes, knocked on doors, or made phone calls for a candidate,” she says. But how did she get from licking stamps to sitting in parliament? That’s a question many people considering taking the plunge into a career in politics ask. Most don’t know where to start, and there’s a sense of cynicism out there that holds many back. But Brown’s story serves as an example of the possibilities – a roadmap for those with a passion for public service.

First you need the passion

Brown’s family talked a lot about politics around the dinner table, but it wasn’t until she moved away to go to school that she contemplated where she stood politically. “Basically, Liberal philosophy was that government can spend your money better than you can, and basic Conservative philosophy was an individual can make wise choices and spend their own money in a good way in the economy. And I thought, ‘You know? I’m a student putting myself through school – I’m working hard, I know how to make good choices with my money – I must be a Conservative.” But while her passion was guided by Conservative ideology, it stemmed from something much deeper. “I believe that we live in the very best country in the world, and I got involved because I wanted to do my part to keep Canada strong and free.”

Mike Schreiner’s passion led him to a different party. He owned and operated a small environmental company that delivers organic food to local residents. “My whole career and interest was around how to build local, sustainable economies. And the Green Party, more than any other party, I think, has policies and principles that reflect those values.” He has yet to be elected to public office, but, at 39, he’s the Green Party of Ontario’s candidate in Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock.

Get engaged in the political process

Whenever an election is called, there are hundreds of jobs that need to be done, and candidates are always looking for volunteers. When Brown started volunteering with her local candidate, she didn’t think of it as starting at the bottom. “I was just getting involved in something that I felt very passionate about.” She wasn’t even considering a career in politics at that point.

But for those who are, Brown says getting involved young is one of the best things you can do. Put in the hours, seek mentors, make connections, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn a lot and make friends who can help down the road. Show enough dedication and passion, and you might even find yourself landing a job. At least, that’s what happened to Brown. After noticing the hard work she put into his campaign, MPP Frank Klees offered her a job in his constituency and Queen’s Park offices. There she stayed from 1995 till 2001, gaining experience and making more connections. Now, as an MP who has fought a few campaigns, she has advice for those looking to make an impact. “Most of all, I think I’m looking for a person who cares. You can have all the ambition in the world to be an elected member, but unless you care passionately about people, it’s just a position.”

But starting young is not the only route. Schreiner only started getting involved in the Green Party about five years ago. But like Brown, he was able to develop a network of friends and an understanding of the party by working behind the scenes, helping to write policy.

Peter Kent didn’t start get involved in politics until a few years ago either. Now, he’s an MP and cabinet minister. But his story is a little different. He jumped right out of a 40-year career as a journalist and anchor for various news organizations into running as a candidate. But the transition seemed natural to him. “Journalism is, in almost every area, coverage of public policy. Whether it’s city hall, or the local police station, foreign news, democracy, all of it has to do with public policy and an interest in a better world.” And while his news background helped with name recognition, it had its downsides too. “There are those people who said, ‘Oh, you’re a bingo caller. Television anchors and journalists are airheads.’”

Contemplate taking the plunge

Running for public office is a huge commitment – take some time to consider it. When the PC party pursued Brown in 1997 to run as a candidate in York North, she had two daughters in high school and a business that was just getting off the ground. After researching what her responsibilities would entail, she decided it wasn’t the right time in her life. “I didn’t want to contemplate being away from my family for the extended amount of time that I knew the demands would present.”

Kent found himself in a similar situation in 1984 when Brian Mulroney asked him to run. He was in no position even to consider a career in politics then – he was getting married, they had a baby, they had a mortgage, and he was about to rejoin NBC in the United States. And once a journalist crosses the line into politics, there’s no turning back.

Get your team together, and go for it

So, the conditions are right and you’ve decided to run. But first, you need to be nominated as a candidate, and that’s a lot of work in itself. The process is a little different for every party, but it usually consists of a small election held by the riding association where members of the party in that riding vote for their candidate. Basically, you need to convince them you can win the election. That means signing up members and talking to as many current members as possible. This is a good time to call up all those friends you made to vouch for your integrity and work ethic. Brown lost her first nomination but won the next one a few years later. Schreiner, on the other hand, was nominated by his party’s provincial executive. Although the Green Party has riding associations in most ridings, one hasn’t been established in Schreiner’s riding yet.

The election campaign is another story. You need to get your message out to thousands of people – that’s why you need an army, and you need to work hard. You also need money to run an effective campaign. Schreiner’s campaign had a modest budget of $25,000, but individual campaigns can cost upward of $100,000. The vast majority of that money comes from fundraising. But Brown says a good team is the most important factor. “It is humbling when I think of the number of people who have been involved to elect me to be their member of parliament. This is not something you can ever do on your own. And I am just so grateful for the incredible team of people who stand behind me in Newmarket–Aurora.”

Use detours as learning opportunities

There are bound to be bumps and detours along the path – don’t get discouraged.  It’s rare for a candidate to get elected the fist time. When Brown lost her nomination, she looked for other opportunities. She ended up getting elected to the National Council of the Conservative Party, where she had the opportunity to work closely with seasoned politicians and MPs. The experience, she says, was extremely valuable because it gave her the chance to get to know her eventual colleagues in parliament. She also lost her first election campaign in 2006. But she didn’t give up and was successful in 2008.

Kent ended up switching ridings after a significant defeat on his first try. But he was successful the second time.

And although Schreiner came in third place in a recent by-election, he was happy with his result. Deciding to run for the first time only six weeks before, it was a chance for his team to prepare for 2011. “For us to start really with zero – no riding association in place – and to run such a successful campaign, I think was a big victory and a big step forward for the Green Party. And we’ve served notice to the other parties, to the media and to the voters in Ontario that we’re a relevant, serious, mainstream political force to be reckoned with.”