The life of an MP in Ottawa is not easy. Far from home during the week, a furtive return on weekends for further deputy duties: Little time is left for family. What is more, when one is Minister of International Development and makes 15 or so trips a year to various countries, even less time is left. With the aid of a team that she can count on, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister and Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead, succeeds somehow to save time for her family.
From the outset, Minister Bibeau concedes she has a hectic professional life, but one so very exciting. From the moment of her election as Member of Pariament and her nomination as Minister of International Development and the Francophonie, the life of the former director of the museum of nature and sciences in Sherbrooke was turned upside down. Following the recent ministerial reshuffle by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, Minister Bibeau now heads International Development, but her work schedule has not necessarily slowed down.
Although enthusiastic, she admits that the work of an M.P. and Minister is not easy for loved ones, particularly young families. “I try to save one day a week for my family, to stay at home, but I also have reading to do. I am lucky. I have a son aged 19 who is studying in Ottawa, and a husband (former mayor of Sherbrooke, Bernard Sévigny) who understands politics. For my colleagues who have young children, it’s very hard. I would not have chosen this life with young children,” said Minister Bibeau. The deputy explained that the work schedule in the summer is different from the winter schedule. During the summer period, parliament takes a break for two and a half months. Even if, in theory, that allows the deputy to be more present in his or her riding, for Minister Bibeau it is an intense period of travel. At the moment of this interview, at the beginning of the summer, she was planning to take two weeks of vacation, “but I already have two events inserted into my vacation, and I will be travelling five weeks in various countries.”
Typically, one month of work in the autumn for the deputy translates into three weeks in parliament and one in the riding. «I come back to Sherbrooke approximately three weekends a month during the winter, and one long weekend, except when I am travelling.» A day of work begins at 5 a.m. with reading, followed by 12 hours at the office, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. «At home in the evening, there is, in principle, still reading to do.» When Minister Bibeau returns to her riding for the weekend, she leaves Ottawa about 3 p.m. «And then, I begin my weekly meeting with the team in Sherbrooke. Usually, I have arrived at Route 30 or at Bromont when I get off the phone.»
Among all her duties, Minister Bibeau stresses, it’s the work of M.P. before all. «The work of the deputy is underestimated. It’s accompanying the citizens. When citizens knock on the door of their deputy, it’s that it is often their last resort.» Another aspect of her work, she added, is to stay in contact with the community, the municipalities, organizations and businesses in order to understand their projects with the aim of obtaining financial support for them. «In terms of financial aid programs, we want to be sure that our region benefits as much as it can. I’ve observed that I can have a real influence on the other ministers when I go to the trouble of consulting our constituents and take the time to make good follow-ups and good reports. I’ve influenced the eligibility criteria for different programs,» noted the M.P.
International Development
While she is enthusiastic about her work as an M.P., the International Development portfolio fulfills her. «To be Minister of International Development, that was unexpected. I began my career in international development from the age of 20 to 30. I lived in Benin and in Morocco. The Prime Minister gave me the mandate of refocusing the international aid of Canada on the poorest, the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and carrying out a broad consultation to create a new international development policy. I had the privilege of starting over with a blank canvas, and completely re-designing the approach and the vision of Canada’s international aid. That’s something that is done only once in a generation.»
The Minister’s travels have taken her to diverse corners of the globe, and not necessarily in Club Med resorts. She told an anecdote that happened during her first trip in Irak. «I don’t know if the guys told me this to tease me, or if they were serious. But when I arrived at the airport, they put a bullet-proof vest on me, put me in a vehicle, and the first question they asked me was ‘What is your blood type?’ I had been well warned, no high heels. So I could be ready to run if necessary. They explain what to do in case. It’s a little intimidating, impressive, at first, but it was the first time. After that, you quickly forget. When I go into a refugee camp, I always have a bodygard at an arm’s length from me. The others, they mingle into the group, and I don’t see them any more. I forget completely, I have confidence in them.»
During her trips, Minister Bibeau saw and felt the misery, the poverty and the violence perpetrated particularly against women. «In the refugee camps, I had discussions in private with women. It’s hard, emotionally, because they tell me about tragedies.» Minister Bibeau said she heard testimonies by women who were victims of unspeakable violence. In certain countries, «rape is used as a weapon of war. The aim is to demolish a woman, whether she is three months old, or 82 years old. It’s to destroy a community by destroying the woman.»
«There are more positive aspects, countries that are poor, but where you feel there is governance, that the leaders are working for the well-being of their community. There is hope, you see progress.» Minister Bibeau not only visited the countries but, within the context of her vast consultation, she met with non-governmental organisations working with the United Nations, leaders of developing countries, and groups of women. «All this consultation has led to a feminist policy for international aid. It’s the human contact which gave the policy its full significance and which makes me advocate it with great conviction.»
Glamour
Minister Bibeau has also known more enchanting moments during her present mandate. She mentioned having met Queen Elizabeth II, and having participated in a state supper with Barak Obama. «There are a few glamorous moments, but they are exceptional moments.» Of all these encounters, the M.P. of Compton-Stanstead mentioned that the most remarkable thing is that «when you open your mouth, you become aware that when you talk, it’s Canada who is speaking. That’s impressive!»
Tap, tap. Someone knocks twice at the door. They signal politely and discreetly to the M.P. that the time alloted for the meeting had ended. Other engagements await her, and so she moves on.