A partisan award has been won by Prince George's Charles Scott.
The B.C. Liberal Party recently named Scott the winner of the Janet Pierotti Award for "exceptional commitment to free enterprise and grassroots democracy." It is not bestowed every year. Since its inception in 2004 there have been only five winners.
"I'm very flattered," said Scott, "but I have to tell you, the recognition has to be considered in a context of me helping Shirley Bond, my MLA, and when you are out there in the community talking to people about helping a heavily committed MLA, it is an easy sell, so I have to thank my MLA who has made it easy to jump in deep."
He credited his wife Susan Scott and fellow party volunteer Les Waldie for sharing in whatever success he has been a part of.
As for why he involves himself so heavily, he pointed at his home country, Jamaica, which his family left decades ago as it socially deteriorated.
"I come from a society that blew up. Kingston, Jamaica was the murder capital of the world, and it wasn't always a dysfunctional place at all," he said. "So we understood, when we arrived in Canada, that crazy ideas can take hold. If you opt out, the crazies don't opt out and have less opposition without you. Here in Canada, we discovered that the political process is easy to enter and is tremendously rewarding when you strive for a better and better society. That gets pretty addictive."
He wears his pro-business and pro-BC Liberal stripes on his sleeve, but he encouraged everyone to join him in political volunteerism and public service in general no matter what party catches your imagination. He urged British Columbians and Canadians in general to consider the alternatives, like the recent example in the U.S. of predominantly toxic discourse between the Democrats and the Republicans.
"What we have going for us here is, we can be political rivals but not hate each other," he said. "I don't think the NDP wakes up every morning trying to figure out how to destroy society. They are in the pursuit of how to make B.C. a wonderful and forward-moving place to live. We just disagree on how we get there. They are my neighbours and many of them are my friends."
There were those within the party who saw his hours of dedication and the kind of accomplishments he has made over the years in the service of the public.
"Charles has a proven ability and willingness to either be the voice or create a channel for those who have no voice to tell truth to power," said one, in nominating him for the award.
It was presented to him at the B.C. Liberal convention in Whistler.
