Speech at Rotary Club of Halifax

On September 20th I was guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Halifax's regular meeting. Rotarians are committed to public service through many means. One of their objectives is to promote "high ethical standards in business and professions". They have a 'Four-Way Test' which should govern what we "say, think or do". The first test is "Is it the truth?"

My topic was my transition from a career in journalism to politics. High ethical standards and the truth play an important part in both. I said, 

"Journalists seek to find the truth about a situation or issue. Not a version of the truth, the truth. Because I believe truth is absolute.

I believe a politician has an obligation to the truth."

"A journalist's credibility is their most valuable commodity. Once it is gone, you never get it back. 

 I believe it’s the same for a politician.

That is why I believe honesty, transparency and accountability are just as important to me as a politician as they were to me as a journalist."

I applaud the Rotary Club of Halifax's many endeavours including work at the IWK Hospital for Children, promoting citizenship and their current project of planting trees as part of an urban reforestation project.

Jamie Baillie & Janet in Chester

On September 13th, before my formal nomination in the evening, Jamie Baillie and I visited some businesses in the Chester area. We stopped at Bonny Lea Farm. Bonny Lea Farm gives people with disabilities opportunities to learn skills that can lead to meaningful and productive lives in their communities. Bonny Lea Farm produces many garden related products.

 We visited Sealand Industries. For more than 40 years Sealand has provided sales and service for the area's commercial and pleasure boating needs.

We also visited GN Thermoforming Equipment in East Chester. They are manufactures of thermoforming equipment and tooling for plastic packaging. They have markets all over the world. A real success story in the Chester area.

Nomination Speech

On the evening of September 13th, I was formally announced as the candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia in the constituency of Chester-St. Margaret's. PC Leader Jamie Baillie was on hand to share in the celebration. I am very honoured to be your candidate. There was a great turnout at St. Stephen's Parish Hall in Chester. It was a time for me to say thank you to all those who supported my nomination and to move on to the next phase, campaigning to win back this seat. Here is a video of my speech.