ward3brighton.ca

Being a first-time political candidate is enough to make anyone nervous, I think, but the impending task of canvassing door-to-door was enough to ratchet up my anxiety level yet another notch. Like any new job you never quite know exactly what to expect. How will I be received? What will people ask me? How should I introduce myself? You often hear that politicians are generally regarded with the same respect afforded to ambulance-chasing lawyers (no offense to any of my Handlers in the legal profession).

On Wednesday night I knew I could not put off the door-knocking any longer. I’m working full-time on a very busy project that requires my full attention throughout the day, so my weekday campaigning will be limited to a short time after supper (not before people have a chance to view the top stories on Compass) to approximately 8 o’clock, after which I wouldn’t want strangers knocking on my door. So I set out with more than a few doubts.

The first house was a breeze and a few of my doubts began to fade. The second and third? Couldn’t have been better. Three doors and I’ve got enthusiastic verbal support and promises of votes from four people! For the next ninety minutes I’m kicking back in la-z-boys in the living rooms of the ward, yakking about the issues that concern my neighbours and me. Thursday night was more of the same. My press release in the Guardian apparently earned me a few votes, sight unseen. One lady, who I’d never met before, upon seeing me through the window of her door simply said “You’ve got my vote!”. I said, “That was easy”, but she invited me in and I sat with her and her husband for fifteen minutes and learned about the changes in their neighbourhood over the fifty-two years they’ve lived in their house.

I was somewhat surprised by some of the issues that were raised continually from house to house. Some issues I had anticipated, some I had not. But I was happy to listen and exchange views on a variety of subjects. Everyone was incredibly nice. I think maybe we should all get out and knock on our neighbours’ doors from time to time.