WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Although she will have to secure a majority of votes at an upcoming nomination meeting to make it official, Meg Cuming wants to run for the Liberals in Kings-Hants.
Cuming announced her intention to seek the Liberal nomination for the next federal election at the Acadia Athletics Complex in Wolfville on March 5. This comes in the wake of the recent resignation of long-time Liberal Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison.
Cuming has worked for municipal and provincial government and wants to put her passion and skills to work for Kings-Hants at the federal level. She said seeking the nomination is something that she has been thinking about for a long time and it’s “a well-reasoned decision.”
She didn’t know when such an opportunity would arise but it presented itself following Brison’s recent announcement. Cuming said this led to a lot of self-reflection, research and a lot of consultation with family and friends.
“I just feel that it’s really the right time for me. I love this place, I am passionate about public service and I actually feel a sense of civic duty,” Cuming said.
She said Brison was an excellent politician, both popular and effective in Ottawa and locally. Cuming said she recognizes that she has some big shoes to fill in this regard but she looks forward to “having the opportunity to continue some of the great work he has done in the region.”
She said the first step for her is to go out, knock on doors, listen to the concerns of constituents and learn from them what the issues are.
Her priorities include protecting and enhancing the agricultural sector. Cuming wants to see continued investment in infrastructure and employment opportunities that will enhance our communities and make them places that young people want to stay and where older people can be served.
Cuming said she has had the privilege of working with individuals, community groups and stakeholders across the riding and she “knows that there is a lot of wisdom here.” She wants to work with the people of Kings-Hants to “find solutions that work for them.”
“My depth of knowledge, experience and education in both law and community development make me uniquely skilled to be able to listen to the needs of the people of Kings-Hants and to advocate effectively for our shared interests and goals,” Cuming said.
She said she is “proud to live in a country where political discourse remains civil, where the phrase ‘principled politician’ is not an oxymoron and where the most vulnerable in our society are afforded basic protections.”
The date for the Kings-Hants Liberal nomination meeting has yet to be set.
Strong representation needed
The federal Liberal party has been at the centre of controversy recently with regard to the SNC-Lavalin trial and allegations of political interference against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. There have been calls from the federal Conservative Party for Trudeau’s resignation.
Cuming said it’s important that the situation in Ottawa doesn’t distract from the reality that we need strong representation locally.
“It actually makes me feel really resolved to step up and to be able to bring my experience and skills to bear for the people of Kings-Hants,” she said.
Cuming said the situation is certainly a reminder that there are challenging situations that arise through governance and governing. In particular, it illustrates the challenge involved in having the dual role of the Attorney General also serving at the cabinet table as the Minister of Justice.
However, she believes that democratic institutions are at work. The justice committee and ethics commissioner are looking into the SNC-Lavalin matter and Cuming said she would be paying close attention to the situation moving forward.
“I feel very strongly connected to the Liberal platform and the Liberal Party’s values,” Cuming said. “I believe that the party’s values are my values.”
She said the Liberals are a party of inclusion that recognizes Canada’s diversity as its strength. The party is focused on climate change and stands up for the middle class.
“I find it very easy to align myself with those values going forward,” Cuming said.
Did you know?
- Cuming is Regional Manager with the provincial Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and worked previously as the County of Kings Recreation Manager.
- As a volunteer, Cuming has been on the board of L’Arche Homefires since 2006 and is involved in community theatre and minor hockey.
- Cuming has served as president of Recreation Nova Scotia where she represented the province on the board of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association.
- Cuming is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law and Acadia University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Recreation Management with Honours in 1999.
- Cuming has served on the board of the Acadia Alumni Association and she teaches part time in the departments of Community Development and Kinesiology at Acadia.
GO ONLINE:
For more information, visit www.megforkings-hants.com, email [email protected] or visit Meg For Kings-Hants on Facebook.
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