Why Jeff?
As leader of a political party, it is very easy to simply nominate oneself as a candidate for an upcoming election. However, just because something is easy, does not make it the CORRECT decision. It must be made for the right reasons.
Saskatoon-Meewasin truly is a special place for me. At St. Anne Elementary School, I learned my ABC’s and 123’s. Bishop Mahoney High School was where I developed a love of football and mischief. The old Canarama Pharmacy (now Shoppers Drug Mart) gave me a sense of responsibility. And my parent’s home in River Heights was my stability.
As people, we are shaped by the world around us. Saskatoon-Meewasin was my world in my early years. As a member of a working-class family in a tight knit community, I owe the area a great debt in how it helped shape the person I am today.
One such thing I learned is accountability. We do not just take credit for the good but are accountable for all our actions and inactions, the not so good included. Every decision I make or not make is mine to own and I do so. To be a leader, this outlook is essential.
Another is integrity. I believe that decisions and actions should always be made for the right reasons. One should be able to justify them, especially when made on behalf of another. To look someone in the eye and explain oneself.
And finally, authenticity. I believe that the measure of a person is based on how much or little we choose to portray ourselves to others. We all self-edit, but a person with strong character and personal certainty has little need to pretend they are someone they are not. As anyone who knows me can attest to, what you see is what you get from me.
For Saskatoon-Meewasin, its character is my character. Its issues are my issues. Its successes are my successes. As such, I am looking forward to the prospect of representing all folks in the constituency. To do so is quite literally a dream come true.
Jeff Walters
Candidate for Saskatoon-Meewasin
Leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party