With each year end, it has been our family tradition to pause and thank the many people in our lives for their contributions to our health and welfare.
Contrary to common perception, most of what I do as member of Parliament is not about politics; it’s about service. People who are dedicated to service won’t be surprised that my best work is not performed alone, but in the company of a dedicated and talented group of staff members and volunteers.
One after another, these people demonstrate exemplary service, driven by our team’s professed mission and values.
My staff deals directly with the people we serve, on citizenship and immigration matters, social security issues, veterans’ affairs and other matters. Whether it’s an injustice suffered by a Canadian languishing in a foreign jail, parents locked in a bureaucratic struggle to adopt children overseas or the scourge of drug addiction, my team members come to the plate time and again, working hard and getting results for the people we serve.
Beyond our paid staff, our wonderful volunteers enable us to take on some of the larger projects that we initiate, such as events in the Chinese-, Farsi- and Korean-language communities, National Health & Fitness Day and Ride the Riding. We could never undertake such ambitious events relying only on the small team of people facilitated by our parliamentary budget.
As we start 2013, I thank my staff and volunteers who serve our constituents with gusto and help me understand daily why Canada is the best place on earth.
My wife Donna, Shane, Jake, Mei Mei, my staff, volunteers and I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
John Weston, member of Parliament
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding
