Leonard Preyra - MLA for Halifax Citadel – Sable Island

An interview with Leonard Preyra published in the New Democrat Voice September, 2006.

1) What’s the most important thing you’ve learned since becoming an MLA?

It is important to listen to and really hear what constituents, stakeholders, party advisors, colleagues and other legislators are saying. This is very difficult when most conversations and issues arise without much warning, and decisions have to be made in short order and with a complex variety of other issues to address simultaneously. Nevertheless, to really understand an issue and to know where the solution(s) might lie, one needs to hear what people are saying and to understand where they are coming from.

2) What has been the best part of being an MLA so far?

The satisfaction that comes from putting an issue on the agenda or in addressing and resolving a constituent’s concerns and knowing that your involvement made a difference and helped improve the well-being of that particular individual or community. As an
activist, it was very difficult to get the attention of decision-makers.

3) What has been the worst part of being an MLA?

The worst part is the impact it has on family life. After a long campaign, I had hoped to have more time with my children, but when the new session of the legislature began immediately after the election, I had to study and respond to the Budget, get up to speed
on my critic areas, set up a constituency office, and address urgent cases and issues raised by constituents. I also had to wind up my work with students, staff and faculty as Chair of the Department of Political Science at Saint Mary’s. In short, the worst part is being unable to meet all of the numerous demands on for your time.

4) What has been the biggest surprise since getting elected?

The biggest surprise has been the genuine respect and affection that most constituents have for their MLAs. I had not realized that so many people paid attention to the legislature and cared about what individual MLAs said and did. Even those who are critical are very respectful and rarely get personal.

5) What’s the one thing that you could achieve in this job that, when you look back at your many years as an MLA, would allow you to consider yourself a success at this job?

Many of our most pressing needs can only be addressed by building large coalitions and creating the political will to make necessary changes. We must address the challenge of access to post-secondary education. We must ensure that seniors remain fully engaged in family and community life as long as they are able and that they receive the quality care they need as close to their loved ones and communities as is feasible. The lack of affordable housing and creative public spaces is having a domino effect on our students, young artists, the working poor and neighbourhoods in general. I would also like to see the Northwest Arm become a provincial heritage site and park so that future generations will better understand our history and continue to enjoy its recreational benefits. I would die a happy man if we could accomplish any one of them and if I felt I made a difference in accomplishing that goal.

6)What’s the one piece of advice you would give to anybody considering running for public office?

Get involved in issues that matter to you and your community and promote and defend those values even when allies are few and the odds are against you. You may not win, but you will make some first class friends along the way and you will know that you tried your best and that you had the best interest of the community at heart.