There must be an election coming. The evidence is everywhere. Elections Canada sent me a voter registration form, but they got my name wrong – I’m not “Resident,” but I’m sure we can clear that up by May 9.
In my riding, at least, the result is pretty much a foregone conclusion. Unless the Liberals are swept aside by a red tide led by, uh, John Horgan, it’s more than likely Ralph Sultan, the MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano and the oldest MLA in the history of B.C., is a shoo-in for a fifth consecutive term. If he serves out his term, he’ll be 87 at the end of it.
Don’t count him out. Ralph became a rookie MLA when he was 68. He’s survived everything, including a couple of health scares that occurred right in the legislature.
Ralph’s political career was launched in tragedy: in the summer of 1999, Shirley, his wife of 43 years, collapsed on their boat and by the time an ambulance could find an emergency ward that would take her, she was dead.
He survived that. Determined to personally sweep the NDP government of the time aside, he ran for the Liberals. Even though he had exactly zero political experience, he knocked off formidable West Van fundraiser Barbara Brink for the nomination.
At one career-defining point, he reportedly faced immense pressure to resign so fearless leader Christy Clark could run in a reliably safe Liberal seat.
His refusal to do so made it necessary for Christy to establish a political home base in Kelowna, which is somewhere east of Burnaby. His refusal to do so has meant he’s spent the rest of his political career west of Nowhere, languishing in the back benches, earning a reputation as a guy who speaks his mind.
Fortunately, it’s a beautiful mind.
Ralph spent 15 years at Harvard, where he taught economics. That qualified him to become the chief economist for the Royal Bank, and since then he has been the president, executive VP or chairman in 10 companies, and a director in 27.
This impressive resume makes him overqualified to attend the interminable functions, teas and bazaars that foster a sense of community in his riding and elsewhere. Ralph is big on community. In fact, when Ralph turns up at an event, it’s as if the community itself has made an appearance.
It doesn’t hurt that even though he’s going on 84, Ralph is not a little old man. In fact, he’s a giant, in no way diminished by age or tragedy. He’s at least six foot four, more if you count the hair device atop his head that towers over all the other participants at the event.
Apart from the mind and physical stature, he’s endowed with something called wisdom, a rare commodity, especially in politics. I remember a column I wrote for the Globe and Mail just after the world’s oldest rookie was elected in 2001. I wrote it after he and I met for coffee. He and I have met for coffee many times since. Anyway, he said “I’m not interested in fame, power, money or influence. I’m only interested in making a difference in my province.”
And then, with timing that would impress Jimmy Kimmel, he cocked his head, smiled, and added: “My campaign manager, he’s a political veteran of more than 30 years. He says to me, you know, I’ve met people like you before, but not one who actually won.”
A quality sense of humour like that transcends politics. Still, some would say that Ralph’s political career has been a disappointment, a case of statesman-like potential not realized.
He shoulda, coulda been the minister of finance. I mean, with all due respect to Mike de Jong, how many Harvard economists does this government have?
None of this fazes the member of the legislature for West Vancouver-Capilano. He’s out there right now stomping the hustings with his 10-league boots, ringing doorbells and listening carefully to constituents. The rookie has turned into the veteran who’s never met a vote he didn’t want to snag.
His legacy may not be the sound financial vision and management that people expected. It may turn out to be something more precious and rare, especially these days:
It’s called decency.
Journalist and communications consultant Paul Sullivan has been a North Vancouver resident since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the rise of Madonna. [email protected]
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