Revolutionary Moderation

Anyone who thinks this is the end of Svend Robinson's public life is smoking some high-quality left-coast stuff



(Cross-posted to the BlogsCanada election blog)



Svend Robinson hasn't been elected over and over to Parliament because the people of Burnaby love his politics, though some do. He's been elected over and over because the people in his constituency see him out knocking on doors every Saturday, actively working for and engaging his constituents. He's known to casual observers around the country as a bit of a left-wing nut who likes stunting, but people inside the NDP and from all the parties inside Parliament know he's smart, hard-working, and an excellent MP.



So I'm a little sad to hear that Robinson's electoral future is in jeapordy - is very likely over, in fact - because depression following his hiking accident led him to a moment of kleptomania last weekend.



But you know, no matter what happens, we haven't heard the last of Svend. If he never returns to Parliament as an MP, you know he'll be out in front as an environmental advocate. Or as an anti-poverty advocate. Perhaps he'll focus in on his work as a death with dignity activist. Hell, if they throw him in jail for this, chances are pretty good he'll be at the forefront of a prisoner's rights organization a week later.



I wish him well. I wish him a full recovery from the ghosts that haunt him. And I wish him a speedy return to doing the work that not all Canadians agree with, but I think most Canadians appreciate, from within Parliament or without.