The view from these handlebars is a Cabinet Minister’s view. Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
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As symbols go, this is a doozie. A fit-looking young person in ordinary clothes on a city commuter bike. Check the helmet and back pack. The major-league lock, tire reflectors, rear light, chain guard, multi-speed rear hub. It’s the real thing.
Note the kids going to school with (presumably) Dad, in the background. Gives a clue as to the time of day and day of the week, suggesting this is a trip to work.
No block-long limo with scowling heavyweight bruisers following in the massive SUV. No acres of blinding chrome and black lacquered enamel. No motorcycle escort. No arrogance. No pretense. No belonging to yesteryear.
If I’m any judge, this has massive resonance with the new generation now represented by those in power in Ottawa. And with a few old geezers like me.
Very appropriate! I recall conversing with Sweden’s Deputy Minister of Finance, who said he actually felt “obligated” to cycle to work – just how it’s done in some places and some governments.
I didn’t vote for Trudeau (no chance of a Liberal win in my riding in any case), but I admit to being in tears when reading about his cabinet choices. And hearing his “this is 2015” comment. And now, seeing this. Yeah, it’s only symbolic at this point, but my god, the hopeful signals this sends out. The upcoming years will not be easy; there will be many tough choices and I won’t be happy with all of them, but this lets me know that the leadership has its heart in the right place.
Indeed! Events continue to resonate. My new MP, Jody Wilson-Raybould was the recipient of a late-campaign wave of strategic voters. Getting rid of the worst government and prime minister in a lifetime was a huge collective sigh of relief. But the fact that Jody, an aboriginal woman lawyer with three years hard experience in the trenches of the Downtown Eastside Main Street courthouse, and several more years trying to build consensus amongst First Nations and fight for social justice, is now the attorney general of Canada. This is truly a remarkable appointment and journey.
Harjit Sajjan is now minister of defence in another inner circle post right next door to Jody’s riding. He served three missions in Afghanistan and was a Vancouver cop, and from what I’ve read, was respected in both roles. The previous Conservative minister of defence was Jason ‘Barbaric Cultural Practices’ Kenny who, to my knowledge, hadn’t a shred of military experience except perhaps with his childhood toy soldiers and tough-talkin’ bombastic hetoric. He claimed they lost because of their “tone.” I’m sorry, Jason, it was a lot deeper than that.
It seems we have finally entered the 21st Century. Better late than never!
I agree symbolism is important, and I am refreshed by the symbols we have been given since October. Indeed even the actions we are starting to see (with the release of the Ministerial Mandate letters) are showing promise that there is some substance behind the symbols.
Locally, we need to get a clear understanding if the 15 Liberal Party MPs from Greater Vancouver will support the local Mayors and their vision for sustainable transportation in the region, or the provincial “Liberals” in their continued emphasis on entrenching motordom. Which group will have the ear of Ottawa when it comes time to write those infrastructure cheques?
talking of symbol, reader could be interested by this one:
https://voony.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/piano-bike.jpg
it is for that: