Here is the PEI contingent at the CPA (Commonwealth Parliamentary Association) Canadian Regional Conference in Winnipeg.

What an opportunity to be able to meet so many seasoned parliamentarians. Notably some fine folks from New Brunswick, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and British Columbia.

The first day was the women’s element of the conference and the sessions were excellent. Some of the topics included: Adjusting to Parliamentary Life; an Independent’s Perspective; First Nations Women in Leadership.

The rest of the week was filled with some great sessions with over 100 delegates from every Province and Territory, plus the Government of Canada.

Manitobans certainly know how put it on. They’re almost as good at it as Islanders!

One of the highlights for me was the visit to the Manitoba Provincial Museum where we toured and had a grand dinner featuring Bison as the main course. I liked it all right, but I prefer fish.

One of the most poignant moments of the conference was during a presentation by Jenny Kwan (MLA BC) entitled “Seeing beyond the Political Horizon: Standards of Care in the Inner City”. During the video segment of her presentation we saw a family being torn apart by a drug-addicted son who ended up overdosing and dying on the street. A kid who was top of the class in high school, and athlete and had it all.

We take notice when we see that this type of tragedy can happen to anyone, including those who have done everything right.

I left the conference with an incredible sense that Canada is indeed unique. It is the social piece that keeps us together and keeps us Canadian. It is the social piece that we have to work the hardest for if we are to uphold and honour all of the hard work that has preceded us.

In East-east Vancouver, it doesn’t matter what your political stripes are when it comes to providing clean needles to drug-addicts.

Lessons learned, on many levels.