Dr . Hedy Fry shared with Mélange . . .
Born on the island of Trinidad , the Liberal Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre , Dr . Hedy Fry was first elected to Parliament in 1993 . She now has the honour of being the longest serving female Member of Parliament in Canada .
Dr . Hedy Fry shared with Mélange . . .
Trained as a medical doctor , you have been a Member of Parliament for 23 years . Why did you transition from medicine into politics ? I left medicine and went into politics because I was asked to do so by the past PM , John Chretien . Medicine is a public service and I see politics as a continuation of public service but just for a larger population group .
In addition to being a doctor and a politician , you ’ ve also lent your expertise to various other organizations over the years . Can you tell us a bit about that ? Being a physician and a politician meant that I was engaged with many community groups and making change , not only in my city of Vancouver , but also trying to make change across Canada and also internationally . So , I have been involved with gender equality , in helping to create equal rights for LGBTQ communities , to create equal rights for indigenous people globally , to create equal rights for all of the diverse populations regardless of their ethnicity , race , religion , language or origin . It is important to me that we achieve equality and human rights because if we can do so we may very well see the sources and reasons for conflict no longer exist .
You are an inspiration to many , not only to women but to all genders , who see your vibrant personality and success as an MP as something they can aspire to . What is your life ’ s philosophy and the secret to your success ? My life ’ s philosophies were handed down to me by my father . It was that if you have the opportunity , you must take whatever your talents are and make sure that you use them for public interest , public good , to give back to everyone around you . I ’ m also a Trini and being a Trini means that I enjoy life and I ’ m an extrovert .
Share with us some of your memories of Trinidad . My memories of Trinidad are fond . My childhood growing up in Trinidad was one which actually inspired and me to do the things I currently do . I grew up in a community where everyone cared about each other , where the neighbours made sure that you behaved yourself , that we gave and helped each other along the way as we moved on . I did not come from a wealthy family – my family was a poor working class family and so we knew how to help each other and to support each other so I remember that and those memories have sustained what I do here . I also miss carnival so very , very much because I like to fete and so I have this opportunity for the last 24 years at every Pride parade to play mas ’.
Trinidad is rich in culture , dances , theatres beautiful beaches and food .
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inspired me to do the things I currently do.