Chartier reflects on ‘privilege’ of representing Saskatoon
Veteran New Democrat MLA Danielle Chartier spoke to Phil Tank about her decision, announced Wednesday, to step down from representing Saskatoon Riversdale after 11 years.
Q How did you make this decision?
A I have two kids, and one of them is 12. I’ve been a single or alone parent much of this whole time and I’ve managed it quite well because I’ve got a really great support network. It was my mom and dad, and my dad passed away this fall. And my sister Michelle, who was caregiver for (daughter) Ophelia while I was in session and my dad during the three-and-a-half years that he was struggling with dementia. And when she heard about the spectre of a spring election, we had a conversation on Sunday.
Michelle has been my rock from Day 1. So she has been with me this whole time and has supported me and my two kids and I think it’s time to give her a bit of a break. If I could be in this election and I could serve as the MLA because I had really solid backup care, please know that I would be in a heartbeat.
Q How did you feel about representing Saskatoon Riversdale, a longtime NDP stronghold?
A It’s huge. My dad was actually one of the people who nominated (former premier) Roy Romanow in the 1960s. My parents were really involved with the New Democrats in Riversdale. I was born there. I grew up there. I still live there. It is my community. That is my home and those are my people, and I can’t tell you what a privilege it is to get to represent the community that you’ve called home.
Also, those were two pretty big sets of shoes that I had to fill, two premiers (Romanow and Lorne Calvert), and I took that responsibility very seriously. It scared the bejeezus out of me in the beginning, to be perfectly honest.
Q What do you feel you accomplished during your time as an MLA?
A I was really hoping I could get to government. I’m a policy nerd. That’s where my passion is, is good public policy. It’s frustrating in opposition, but there are ways you can figure out to push issues.
Q You’re the fourth veteran NDP MLA who has decided not to run. How do you feel about the party right now?
A I’ve spent a lot of time on the issue of women in politics. And I’m so excited to see our candidates. We’ve got lots of women elected and strong female candidates. We have a great leader (Ryan Meili). I’m really proud of our leader and how we’ve held the government to account on the issues of health care and education, the government’s failings
there. I feel confident and good.
Q You won three fairly close elections. How do you feel about the prospects for the riding ?
A I’m confident, and I’m going to be out there working so hard for whoever we nominate. I know that there’s lots of good people out there that will come forward. I feel good about our team. I feel good about our leader. I feel good about the work that we’ve done as a caucus, but I also feel really good about the work that I’ve done as the MLA and I believe that will help hold the seat.
Q And what’s next for you?
A I actually don’t know. I have no idea. This has transpired really quickly. But I am trusting in the universe here a little bit.
This interview has been condensed and edited. ptank@postmedia.com twitter.com/thinktanksk