WInkin', Blinkin' and Nod
Remember the old rhyme? Winkin’, Blinkin’ and Nod sail off in a wooden shoe, fishing with nets of silver and gold.
Turns out Winkin’ and Blinkin’ are a pair of eyes on Nod’s little head. Now, I’m not going to guess which two are the visionaries and who is the brains (because I don’t really know, and I think anyone would be happy with either role), but I like to imagine the three Maritime premiers as this trio of fishermen, searching for us lost ex-pats who want to be scooped up in those nets of silver and gold and brought home to rest.
I’ve been struck for a while about the similarities between the Maritime premiers. That’s what first made me start thinking of them as some fictional trio.
Shawn Graham was born in 1968. He studied to be a school teacher at UNB. His dad was New Brunswick’s longest serving MLA. He was born the year after his father was first elected. He’s married. He became leader of the NB Liberal Party in 2002. He became premier in 2006.
Rodney MacDonald was born in 1972. He studied to be a school teacher at ST.FX. His dad was a municipal councilor. He’s married with a son. He was first elected in 1999. He became leader of the NS Progressive Conservative Party – and premier – in 2006.
Robert Ghiz was born in 1974. He studied political science at Bishop’s University. His dad was the Premier of PEI. He’d barely started elementary school when his dad was first elected. He’s married and expecting his first child in July. He became leader of the PEI Liberal Party in 2003. He became premier in 2007.
Okay, so they’re not identical. But Shawn Graham, Rodney MacDonald and Robert Ghiz are the three youngest premiers in Canada right now. (Until Graham turned 41 last Sunday, they were all eligible for the Top 40 under 40.) They also share a strong political pedigree, and came to their role as Premier around the same time. I’d like to think that this combination of youth, political experience and family history is the perfect one to face something else they share – the Maritime’s greatest challenge of attracting more people, more entrepreneurs, and more export opportunities.
Those are obviously not the only challenges we share, but I do think focusing on this can have positive ripple effects on other areas. I was happy this week to see that NS and NB are cutting some red tape between the provinces. I also think Nova Scotia's viral marketing campaign and New Brunswick's self-sufficiency plans are a step in that direction. I hope they keep it up. I'd hate to see Wikin', Blinkin' and Nod stop dreaming just when we need a little imagination.
