Zann looks ahead to new role

Cumberland-colchester MP ready to get to work in Ottawa

TRURO, N.S. – Lenore Zann knows there are challenges ahead, and she’s excited to face them.

During the Oct. 21 election, voters of Cumberland-colchester chose Zann as their MP to represent them in Ottawa.

“There are a lot of things to think about,” she said. “I can’t hire staff or pay for an office until I’m sworn in, which I expect will be in mid- to latenovember, but I’ve been talking to the landlords of offices used by Bill Casey. I’d like to extend the leases.

“I really like the space I had on Prince Street, but the province wants to retain it for the next MLA.”

Zann has asked the women who worked in her office, Stephanie Mcneil and Darlene Blair, to remain with her.

“They’re loyal, work hard, and we work well together,” she said.

She’s also asked Deb White, who was Casey’s assistant in the Amherst office, to continue working there.

Offices are expected to open on Dec. 1.

Zann will be in Ottawa Nov. 7 to 10 for orientation and meetings and she’ll be looking at options on where to stay when working in Parliament.

She has several issues she’s passionate about working on, including health care, poverty, mental health and addictions, post-secondary education, and the welfare of seniors.

“I’d like to be able to do something with the old hospital property,” she said. “I’d love to see it become a new justice centre. I’d also like to see the armoury in Amherst fixed up and used.

“We have the sink holes in Oxford, and we need to figure out what has to be done to prevent a catastrophe. We have to look at the Chignecto Isthmus and do what’s needed to make sure Nova Scotia doesn’t become an island.

“I’d like to keep working to bring more tourists to the northern region. I’ve visited so many communities and seen so much promise and opportunity in them.”

She plans to continue visiting communities throughout the riding and talking to people about what is needed.

“A minority government will have its challenges, but we need to all work together for the best interests of the people of Canada, especially at a time when we’re facing a climate crisis and people are having trouble finding doctors,” she added. "I hope good working relationships can be developed between the parties."

CONTRIBUTED Lenore Zann gives a thumbs up to the space where Bill Casey had his constituency office in Truro. She plans to retain the space to use as her office once she’s sworn in as Member of Parliament.

Darlene Blair, left, and Stephanie Mcneil will continue to work with Lenore Zann in her role as MP. Both women have been working with her for a few years.