She’s going to do things differently.
That was the message delivered by Delta MP Carla Qualtrough to a receptive audience at the Delta Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon at the Delta Town & Country Inn Wednesday.
Elected by a wide margin last fall, the minister of sport and persons with disabilities spoke about priorities for the new Liberal government as well as her mandate to promote sport and recreation, and to ensure greater accessibility and opportunities for Canadians with disabilities.
“I do truly believe everything I’ve done in my life has led me to this job,” Qualtrough proclaimed.
The MP for the reconfigured riding that encompasses both North Delta and South Delta said she intends to do things differently, adding her government is embarking on what she described as a transformative agenda.
Qualtrough promised more openness and accessibility as well as being open-minded to new ideas and persuasion, although she added she’s not going to be a pushover either. She said there will be real teamwork to represent the priorities of Delta.
“I can be friendly, I can be thoughtful, I can be tough when need be,” she said.
Qualtrough, who will help her government come up with a disabilities act aimed at preventing discrimination, said “first and foremost I’m the MP for Delta.”
She has had a busy first few weeks, including in-depth conversations with the likes of Mayor Lois Jackson, Delta’s two MLAs, farmers and others, and she’ll soon be meeting with Tsawwassen First Nation leadership.
She added it will be “extremely beneficial” for Delta to have a cabinet minister who will continue to keep the profile raised for the community, having already had discussions with her fellow cabinet ministers regarding the importance of Delta to the national economy.
In his introduction of Qualtrough, John Furlong, Own the Podium board chairman and former CEO of the Vancouver Olympics, said she brings experience and credibility to the ministerial position and will be a champion for sport in Canada.
Qualtrough promised sport advocates to make the complex system easier to navigate and to try to upgrade and revitalize recreation infrastructure.
When later asked about the possibility of a multi-purpose sport facility in Delta, she answered “maybe” and that there is a need for more such facilities across the country. She said Delta has some phenomenal facilities but lacks support infrastructure, including accommodations, to hold sporting events, so they need to find creative solutions.
Noting it’s clear Qualtrough brings passion to the job and for Delta, Port Metro Vancouver president and CEO Robin Silvester, in a wrap-up speech, said he was looking forward to working with the MP.
During the question-and-answer portion, Qualtrough said Delta is pivotal when it comes to Canada’s trade and “if Delta shuts down there is no gateway.” She added that in some ways, “Delta is doing more than its share.”
