of Jim Horsman when he was MLA and Deputy Premier. Then I sort of got away from politics, but after awhile I found I was missing it. I think part of that interest was because I recognized governments play a huge role in your life. It doesn’t matter whether it’s federal, provincial or municipal — there’s a lot of implications. So I decided I was going to participate — and, how can I help out?”
Payne credits what he learned from his human resources background as contributing significantly to his success as a political organizer and as an MP.
“There is a lot of synergy between being a human resources person and being a Member of Parliament because you have to be able to sit and listen to people’s issues and concerns, and try to help them work through those. And that is no different than as a human resources manager. So being with people, and being able to help them, is of greatest satisfaction.”
Payne once worked as a motorcycle safety instructor at Medicine Hat College and still owns an 1800 Honda Goldwing motorcycle which he has taken on several North America road tours. He and some buddies have done the 2,500 mile “Three Flags” motorcycle tour from Mexico to Canada six times now. Payne says he enjoys the camaraderie of being out on the open road with his friends. It is an important leisure activity for Payne, and likely good training for his role as MP for the Medicine Hat area with the extraordinary travel demands placed on the one who represents her.
The Medicine Hat Riding encompasses 33,000 square kilometres. (“It's a riding the size of Taiwan,” jokes Payne.) It includes all of the
Medicine Hat area, parts of the Lethbridge area and the Brooks area. And Payne spent much of the last several months dealing with the fallout from the XL Foods debacle in Brooks on top of his regular MP duties. Being an MP representing such a big, and economically diverse, area like southeast Alberta is never an easy task, and takes a lot of commitment from whomever is elected to represent the region. Payne explains further.
“I’m home, probably, three out of four weekends, and it is not home to be just be home. Usually I’ve got meetings scheduled, events to go to. This job is, basically, I’m working six-and-a-half days a week. And, technically speaking, it could be 24/7 at times. So I’m basically on call all the time.”
Payne says this past year was an especially challenging one with all the problems and media scrutiny surrounding the Lakeside XL meat packing plant near Brooks. Payne’s main concern was the U.S. ban on shipments of meat going across the border which put the plant’s future in jeopardy.
“I worked with the Agriculture Minister very closely,” states Payne; “talking with him every day about it. And now I am quite happy and delighted that JBS is taking over and that issue is resolved. They can now ship beef to the U.S., which was a big part of the production of that facility.”
Part of the MP role is to be spokesperson and booster for his riding. For Payne, who was born in Lethbridge and grew up in Medicine Hat, it is not a difficult role to play.
“It’s a great riding because not only do we have oil and gas, we have agriculture here; we have ranching. It’s quite
diversified actually. We’ve got some manufacturing here, and, of course, we have the Canadian Forces Base which is hugely important to Medicine Hat and surrounding area. There are two cities, and other substantial communities as well. I think, potentially, we could have some more manufacturing to produce some more major jobs in the riding. That being said, there are all kinds of good things about this riding.”
Payne also explains that one of the greatest things about southeast Alberta, to his mind, is the blending of a business friendly values with a great “small town” work ethic.
“I’d like to see this riding have all the benefits in terms of being able to have access to foreign markets. To have foreign investors coming here to see these communities grow with new opportunities, new jobs — well paying jobs — and people being able to stay in smaller communities if they can. A lot of values they have in our smaller communities are not much different than the type of values I would have. I think I have always been a hard-working individual, and recognized if you are going to get ahead, you’re going to have to work hard, and be dedicated, and not be afraid of it,” says Payne.
So for a lifetime political junky and behind-the-scenes political strategist who never dreamed of becoming an elected representative, MP Payne is now thrilled to champion the various communities in his riding.
“Anything I can do to help maintain these communities in southeast Alberta, and to benefit them, that’s what
I’m going to do.” ■ CELEBRATING 30
Calgary
years
www.teraenv.com OUR COMMUNITIES ■ OUR REGION ■ OUR PEOPLE | 53 Victoria
41105637•03/226/13
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