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2008.10.22 – Londoner
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New MP Promises Passion & Energy
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Posted By Ben Benedict
Sleep deprived, yet eager to get started,
London’s newest member of Parliament had just gotten off the
phone with Ottawa and was preparing to step into his new life
less than 24 hours of being elected in the Oct. 14 federal
election.
“I’m not a professional politician
and I don’t want to be,” says Ed Holder, retired insurance
company executive and community booster who carried the
Conservative banner to victory in London West – the only
newcomer elected in London.
“That’s why I said way back that
politics should be a passion and a commitment to service.”
While still uncertain as to the next
steps, he did admit “it’s kind of cool.”
Professional or not, politics has
been a lifelong passion for Mr. Holder, a passion that began on
his mother’s knee.
“I learned politics on her knee in
Cape Breton,” he says. “As a growing boy she encouraged me to
get involved. I took it seriously and back in 1993 I ran
federally for the Progressive Conservatives. It was a time when
two Conservatives won and Ed Holder wasn’t one of them.
“I really love my community and it
is my life. I’ve thought about it and how my mom had said that
‘community service is the price you pay to live somewhere’ and
I’ve always tried to live up to that.”
His history and community
involvement at all levels of London society is extensive,
beginning with graduation in 1976 from the University of Western
Ontario (with a degree in philosophy) where he was president of
the arts faculty students’ council. After a stint in Toronto, he
returned to London in 1981 to continue developing his career in
the insurance industry and has lived here since then.
He is dedicated to his wife Judite
and daughter Claudia, both entrepreneurs and owners of
Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut and Gammage Flowers. Claudia is
married to a London firefighter and they have one daughter.
Mr. Holder founded Ontario West
Insurance Brokers Ltd. and Ontario West Insurance Agency Ltd.
that in 1991, merged with Stevenson and Hunt Insurance Brokers
Ltd. where he became a partner in 1995 and president in 1999.
Throughout his career he has continued with his involvement in
community affairs, averaging 30 extra hours per week with 56
different committees, roles and functions.
He worked hard to achieve what he
has and while today those efforts are joyful, the journey hasn’t
always been easy.
“In December 1996, I lost my son at 14 in a car
accident,” Mr. Holder says. “I decided at that time that my family
needed each other more than politics. I did get involved with other
campaigns and was doing a lot in the community, balanced with my
family and coping. I thought that’s how I was going to end up.”
Then the London West Conservative Party
executive approached him to consider putting his name forward as a
candidate in 2006.
“I had a serious talk with my wife
Judite – and it lasted two and a half months. She said, ‘I know it’s
your passion and you love this city.’ So on June 1, 2006, I made it
official at the Civic Garden with a number of well-respected civic
leaders speaking on my behalf for the nomination.”
In February, 2007, he won the
nomination, beating out former candidate Al Gretzky. “That’s when
the work began. There were several election threats so we were up
and down again and again but it gave me a good perspective to face
this election,” Mr. Holder says.
Moving forward, he knows both from
constituents and personal experience that he needs to work hard with
his fellow London members of Parliament – Liberal Glen Pearson in
London North Centre, New Democrat Irene Mathyssen in London Fanshawe,
and fellow Conservative Joe Preston in Elgin-Middlesex-London.
“I’ve already worked with Glen at the
London Food Bank and in business that’s what you have to do,” Mr.
Holder says. “Imagine if you took a contrarian attitude in business
or community efforts. I think we have to serve the greater interest
of this community and Canada. It’s served me very well in all this
time I’ve learned so I don’t anticipate any changes going forward.”
He also points to his campaign as an
example of his integrity, and to that integrity as a way to resolve
Canadian voter’s apathy given the generally low turn out for this
election.
“Our campaign in London West was not
personal,” he says. “It was a classy campaign and all my opponents
ran classy campaigns. If I can do that in the heat of an election
why can’t I do that in the House of Commons. We need to be looking
more at the common good.
“Whatever percentage of votes cast is
not the whole electorate. The responsibility of a member is to
represent those who did not vote for you or did not vote. You have
to do things with energy. You have to inspire others. London West
had the highest turn out in London.”
As for advice to Parliament, “Don’t have
another quick election and with that you have to show meaning.
Government has to resonate with its population. It’s not for
government to have all the solutions but create the environment
where individuals can advance and take care of those who cannot take
care of themselves.” Mr. Holder says, showing his more ‘progressive’
conservative roots.
And what can residents in London West
expect from their new MP?
“When you’re 54 and have a sense of
community in leadership roles and a Cape Breton mother with strong
opinions, then it’s important to be a strong advocate for your
community. I was brought up right and maintain those values. My
promise to the folks in London West is to listen loudly and respond
strongly. Politics is not that much different than business in that
you’re representing people. This is not about Ed Holder. It’s about
representing the constituents of London West as sincerely with as
much passion and energy as I have over the past 30 years and I’m
grateful that I’ve been given this privilege to do that.”
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