Sept 26, 2019
5:30 am
I really don't like waking up to an alarm, but today it was required. Full of nervous energy and a excitement about what was to come, I drank my coffee, packed my camera bag, and rushed my kids out the door so that I could spend my day with Cindy Derkaz.
7:46 am
As I was driving to Cindy's home in the heart of Salmon Arm, the sun was cresting the mountain and dissolving the fog to reveal a beautiful blue sky. I hoped it was a sign. There was an electric car plugged in in the driveway and a yard sign on the lawn – no street address was needed to know I was in the right place. I was greeted warmly at the front door by Cindy and her long time partner, Don. If you have ever seen Cindy at an event, you've likely seen Don as well; this is clearly a team. Cindy was finishing up getting ready. Hair and makeup are something the male candidates don't need to fuss over, she noted in a half joking yet very real way. As women we are held to a different standard. How unfortunate it is that our looks still define us.
8:00 am
The day is jam packed and we are ready to hit the road. Review the timeline? Check. Phone charger? Check. Yard signs? Check. Cindy says her goodbyes to Don and assures she will check in later (which she does multiple times throughout the day.) That connection is real. I slipped out and grabbed my bag of necessities and we were off, headed to Vernon for a variety of events.
Campaigning isn't for the weak, that is clear. The North Okanagan/Shuswap riding is a massive 16,734km2 with only 7.3 people per km2. Our first stop was Cindy's office in Vernon, so the drive gives us a great opportunity to talk. I was armed with a few questions that I gathered from a large cross-section of my contacts, but most are deeply personal and I don't know how well they will be received. Maybe I should hold off...or maybe not.
As we drove the topics unsurprising started out political. What are MY issues? Forestry, environment, and affordability affect me daily, but I tried not to dwell on my life too much. It's abundantly clear that this woman is intelligent and has a firm grasp of the issues. Cindy knows that she is interviewing for the job, and she is prepared. She has all of the facts and figures on the ready. Millions here and billions there – her knowledge is respectable and her passion is inspiring. But that's not what I want to know today.
My first question is personal.
"What is the biggest sacrifice you have had to make in order to run in this election?" Without a pause her answer hits hard. “My privacy” she says, not as a jab (while I take a photo of her) but as a truth. Cindy is here to serve and she wants to answer questions. She wants to share her passions and goals and she understands that she has to trade a private life for the opportunity to do that. Putting yourself in the public eye isn't easy. EVERYTHING you do subject to scrutiny. “The words can hurt” she says, and I believe it. We talk candidly about appropriation and brown face, racism and the ever plummeting level of respect society shows for others especially online. When she informs me that she has been the recipient of verbal attacks - just because she is a part of the Liberal Party, I am saddened but not surprised. Our trust is broken and our world is angry, but there is no excuse to treat a person that way. Despite the actions of some, Cindy still is passionate about the big strides her party is making and wants us to keep moving forward.
8:53 am We arrive at her office and gather supplies for her first event – a casual conversation at a supporters home. Her office is red and white and quiet. She gives me the quick tour and introduces me to the small handful of volunteers who are busy at work. She appreciates them all but there is little time for small talk and we soon head out. Boots on the ground - I see what she means.
9:15 am We find our way to the casual coffee meeting and Cindy is welcomed by the host. But oh wait – did she lock the car? She runs back and checks with a smile and the ability to laugh at herself - she's a real person like you and me. The room is busy with unique cross-section of attendees from different ages, backgrounds and ethnicities. Cookies and coffee are served, and then the questions begin. This group has real issues and Cindy is prepared with real answers. It's unfortunate that she wasn't able to stay longer, as this type of intimate environment and open discussion was brilliant. If you want to get to know a candidate, actual real life interaction with them is essential. The clock is ticking and there is another place to be. Some grab lawn signs and all thank her for her time.
10:55 am It's the monthly birthday lunch at Schubert Centre in Vernon and the place is buzzing. Over 100 people are in attendance as they celebrate birthdays from the past two months, and Cindy has graciously accepted the role of guest Master of Ceremonies. She is quick to work shaking hands and making introductions and going over the pages of notes that have been presented to her. One thing is clear though, the people are here for cake - not politics. Everyone is friendly because it's a celebration and there is support in the room but I'm not sure this is an hour that will change minds, but she is glad she could participate.One of Cindy's tasks is to draw names for the winner of the birthday lunch and somehow the baskets for August and September are mixed up. There are a few grumblings from those who seem to think it's a big deal that the August winner had a birthday in September and the September winner had a birthday in August. That moment mirrors this whole political race. No matter what you do it's up for scrutiny and judgment. At every single turn these candidates are faced with a dissection of their words as people are searching to find fault or flaws.A room has been set aside for people to come and ask questions after the luncheon but no one shows. One woman pops her head in and there is excitement that they may have a question but she is simply sneaking through to the sewing room. Lunch was great but as far as campaigning goes, it wasn't nearly as personal and interactive as her previous event.
1:00 pm
It can be hard to be everywhere in a riding so large, but Cindy is fortunate enough to have a space she can call home in Vernon as well as Salmon Arm. We pop into the modest apartment quickly so she can get changed and I can deal with a personal phone call. As I helped myself to a glass of water I noticed all of the plastic bags which have being washed and set to dry so they can be reused again. Practicing what you preach is so vital in a leader. It's time to do some door-knocking, so off we go to the office to meet with another volunteer.
1:15 pm
Door knocking is a serious, calculated, fine tuned function. Data and voter registrations guide location selection, right down to the very doors that are approached. The lovely volunteer we meet with at the office is a fellow lawyer and she is dedicated to helping Cindy get elected in this riding. As we arrived at the carefully chosen destination, it's clear the timing can be an issue. Mid-afternoon door-knocking doesn't make it easy to reach live people. Many are at work, but at least reading material about her and her platform can be left. The reception from those that are home is lukewarm. Cindy is running a race where she is defending her job and government,even though she is not our elected MP. She needs to prove her herself at every single door and interaction. Some people say they are unsure but everyone is pleasant enough. One person engages in a long conversation and while he has frustrations with our government system he is willing to speak with Cindy quite candidly about his concerns. Opening up a dialogue is a win. Thankfully no doors that we visited needed to be marked as hostile but that isn't always the case. We live in a world where politics somehow excuses us to be hateful people and it's terrifying. We haven't been at it long but it is time to hit the road once again. Tonight's all candidates forum is in blind Bay and we still need time to drive back and prepare. Cindy's volunteer will continue on knocking long after we are gone. There is work to do and a team ready to tackle every task.
2:30 pm
On the road again in Cindy's electric car we head back to her home in Salmon Arm. More time for questions and more time for reflection. It's interesting that every signs she sees, she knows whose house it is. She knows her supporters and has such great respect for them. When I asked about her support system if she is elected to this job I already know the answer. Cindy and Don do not have any kids and her life would be easily adapted to this new role. Cindy doesn't need the job. She wants it, and is ready for it.
3:30 pm
We arrived back at Cindy's house and she requested a short break to review her notes and prep for this evening. We take a pause in our day and plan to meet again in Blind Bay.
5:20 pm
The Blind Bay Community Hall is nearly empty when I arrive. I introduced myself to a few people and let them know about the project I was working on. There is this fascination with getting to know the real side of candidates and I was completely welcomed to to do my thing. Kate and Don would accompany Cindy tonight so that she could focus on real interactions with people and they could work her table. Cindy breezes through the room and greets her rivals. It's refreshing to see how each of the candidates interact with each other. Big smiles and easy small talk abounds. I know that once the forum begins that camaraderie may fade but for now it's warm and welcomed.
5:50 pm
Now, this is where things got particularly interesting. But you will have to read about this diversion in follow up stories with Mel Arnold, Kyle Delfing, and Harwinder Sandhu.
6:08 pm With the forum underway after a slight delay, I was able once again to focus on Cindy in action. She's playing defense and not offense. The Liberals are under the microscope, and rightly so. Every four years they have a job review and this is it, as they defend their choices, their actions, and their interactions. If Cindy wants the job she needs to bridge that gap between distrust with the party and many people's overwhelming respect for her. Cindy's passion is clear as she answers questions thoughtfully. Surprise is a hard emotion to mask at times, but she maintains a professional demeanor throughout the night and uses the misinformation presented by other candidates to bust myths as required. Other moments she agrees with fellow candidates and you can clearly see the respect she has for others at the table. Even when mocked, she stood tall. During the day we chatted about the high road, and I appreciate seeing her take it, in action. As the forum comes to a close they all shook hands and bumped elbows.
8:36 pm At the end of the night Kate, Don and Cindy all thank me for my time but they are the ones who deserve thanks. To open themselves up to the scrutiny and vulnerability that they did takes courage. To be transparent and engaging is admirable and I am so glad that they wanted to be a part of this important project. They wish me a safe trip home and I did the same. I wolf down handful of almonds (my dinner) before heading home. With an hour left to go before I can lay my head on my pillow, I'm tired yet incredibly grateful for the opportunity and for living in a country where we can actually have real relationships with those who serve us. What an honour.
- KB
Cindy Derkaz is the Liberal candidate for the North Okanagan Shuswap riding. To learn more about Cindy, please visit: Website: https://cindyderkaz.liberal.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.derkaz/