On motivation in the public service
I grew up in a very multicultural family. My mother was a lapsed catholic and my step father and his family were reform Jews. I have muslim friends who I have had great conversations over the years. I have always called my self a “Buddhist with an open mind”, and have attended church, synagogue and Buddhist temple.
In all of these faiths, compassion and service are fundamental truths and I see this as a main motivator in being a public servant. Serving the people is an honor that I take seriously and with great conviction. I admit that I came to the ministry as a way of paying the bills, but now that I am here it feels right, it fits with my world view.
For me, working in government organizations is a mix of business tactics, strategic politicking and altruistic intent. If people use this mix as a guide line I think we would all be better servants of the public.
Some would say: “Nathan you are naive. Political life is a battle of wills and often it is reduced to simple power mongering and the advancement of individual agendas”.
To that I say: “Sure. Politicking is a tool to work within the established system. This is a necessary element of the Parliamentary Democracy. That dialogue is necessary to get the work approved and implemented. Individual agendas are bound to come out, but we must remember that the other person is serving as well. They are looking at there aspect of the work and defending the good that she and her people do for the public.”
So when I am doing my job, whether that be providing a vehicle for every public servant who needs one, working on an issue that has come up with a municipality or trying to get a major project approved at the provincial level, I can do so with confidence, knowing that my motivation is to help the people of Ontario.