Politics

I’ve never been interested in politics. I watch debates and read the news to become informed before exercising my right to vote, but that’s pretty much been the extent of my involvement. Since the birth of Maritime Race Weekend, I have met with the mayor, city councillors, MLAs, MPs and premiers. In the last four years, each politician I met with has been voted out of office and I’ve developed new working relationships with their replacements. I make an effort with our community leaders, because their support is essential for the success of Maritime Race Weekend. Each politician that I’ve met with has supported my event. I’m lucky, because there are races that face regular challenges from politicians and their communities. Lack of local support can destroy an event.

This morning, I was invited to the Nova Scotia premier’s office. I spent thirty minutes showing Stephen MacNeil race swag, medals, magazine articles and discussing the importance of Maritime Race Weekend to Nova Scotia. I highlighted the measurable health, economic and tourism benefits of the marathon, but then I closed my pitch with “I’m not here to ask you for money.” He looked surprised. I assume most people take the opportunity to ask him financial support, but I didn’t. All I want from our premier, is for him to understand the value to our community and support what we are doing. Simple as that. His wife and many of his staff are runners. I think he gets it.

I did make some suggestions for him to consider. Runners have voiced they’d like to see an adult tax rebate for active living and I asked his government to review and consider making not-for-profit road races HST-exempt. If he could remove the 15 per cent tax I charge, I could reduce registration prices. I explained to him that a couple years ago I had reduced my registration price, but added HST at the time of sign-up. Justifiably, a mutiny broke out when runners saw tax on a road race. To avoid the drama, I went back to the original price and built HST into the price. Even though you don’t see it, it’s still there. From his comments, I’m optimistic he’ll give it some consideration.