Question: How long have you lived in New Westminster?
Answer: We have lived in New Westminster for nine years. We moved here from Fort Langley. We moved here because, primarily because of transit options and central location. We love living here at the Quay, the access to the new River Market is fantastic, the flower gardens. We love the historic neighbourhoods. We are very enthusiastic about the city.
Q: Why do you think you are uniquely qualified to represent the riding?
A: The way I see politics in the future is going to require people who are good at collaboration. I have got a proven track history - I've got 33 years in education, working with disparate teams of people and students from all levels and coming up with positive results. I think that there it is going to be very important to work, not just across party lines as a collaborator, but across jurisdictional lines. We have issues like coal that are federal, we have got issues like education that are provincial, we have got issues like the Pattullo Bridge that are regional and I think it's important to be able to draw people together and work together in a collaborative environment. I think that is one of my real strengths.
Q: What would be your own personal priority as an MLA?
A: My priority, if elected MLA, is not necessarily related to the Green platform at this stage, and not necessarily related to the issues of New Westminster. I am really quite concerned about the issue of cyber bullying and have been for quite some time. This is really becoming an issue in schools. It's really becoming an issue in various provinces. One of the things that I would push for is cyber bully legislation such as that that's been recently introduced in Nova Scotia, and also now in Prince Edward Island. I think that this issue, particularly when it comes to girls at this very vulnerable (teen) age, has had - and I have seen - devastating results with many girls. We have seen in the paper, just recently, so many issues around this particular topic. There is a real need for addressing it and I think that the legislature has a significant role to play in making sure that that happens, and protecting these young women in the future.
Q: What accomplishment in your life are you proudest of?
A: As a teenager I was a fairly elite athlete. I do have lots of accomplishments in athletics. I was a provincial champion in both track and field and in gymnastics. I have run marathons. Recently, I've canoed basically the entire Yukon River. But perhaps the most noteworthy accomplishment for me personally, has to do with being able to overcome the death of our son. There is nothing more devastating to a family than having the police arrive at your door in the middle of the night and tell you that your only son has been killed. This has taken five years to deal with, but I feel that it's not really an accomplishment but more an issue of personal strength that I have been able to hold our family together and make it through.
Q: Who in your life has been a role model for you?
A: I think for me one of the most important role models has been Michael J. Fox. It's just coincidence that he's from the neighbouring municipality, but he's been, not just a great actor and not just a great comedian, but he's been a great father and husband, a great author. I have read his books. But most importantly, his battle with Parkinson's disease and his foundation has done great things. I think he has shown people that you can be positive and you can make a real impact even when you are suffering from the hugely debilitating effects of that disease. So Michael J. Fox is a real hero of mine.
To view a video of the interview with Teather, click here.
