It struck Bob Zimmer at the age of 19 that politics was something in which it was worth becoming invested.
His tipping point? A pay stub outlining the $10,000 of income tax removed from a $30,000 gross pay.
"And I went 'Wow.' I'd been politically active but you really start paying attention to how people are spending your money," said Zimmer, the Conservative incumbent running for re-election in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies.
Zimmer, who has one term in the House of Commons under his belt, is being challenged to represent the province's second-largest riding by Green candidate Elizabeth Biggar, New Democrat Kathi Dickie, Libertarian Todd Keller and Liberal Matt Shaw.
Prior to the 1988 federal election, Zimmer signed up as a Reform Party member - even though it didn't make sense to those around him.
"I remember even my dad questioned me: 'Why would you support a party that's not going to win?' I said, 'Well, sometimes you just have to make that difference and be part of the change' and eventually it became the Conservative party it is today, so here we are," said Zimmer.
Prior to becoming an MP in 2011, the married father of four and Dawson Creek native has run the gamut of professions, from carpenter to high school teacher to rugby coach.
He credits his time spent in the Lower Mainland working under then Langley-Abbotsford constituency association leader Menno Froese and former MP Randy White as being some of the most formative.
"(White) really showed me how to work hard as an MP and not to be resting on your laurels but actually be out there and represent your constituents," Zimmer said, adding that Froese also put an emphasis on putting in the hours.
"Outwork the next guy."
In his last four years of work, Zimmer said he's learned how rewarding the role of MP can be, when given the opportunity to advocate for somebody.
But as an Ottawa rookie, he said he's also learned lessons and different ways of doing things.
One important kernel of knowledge he picked up was to always be prepared.
Unfortunately, Zimmer said that lesson was delivered in front of his party leader, Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Zimmer said he went into a meeting about an issue, but only with pieces of information.
"Well he knew 10 times what I did on the file. So I learned right there, if you're going to have change and you want the prime minister's ear, you better know your stuff - because he knows it," said Zimmer. "So that really taught me to just don't assume anything. That's probably the two biggest words: don't assume - make sure you have all bases covered and that you know your files."
One of the major issues emerging from this election campaign is the economy, particularly the economy of the riding, which is heavily dependent on natural resources.
Zimmer is in agreement with other candidates that say there needs to be a diversification, and that's why he said the Conservatives have been developing so many trade agreements internationally.
"If the mining industry's taking a hit at one particular time hopefully you can move to a forestry sector job if the forestry sector's strong," Zimmer said.
"And that's why we need all these sectors strong."
