ESTEVAN — The many contributions of Robert Kitchen as Souris-Moose Mountain's MP were saluted during a social May 22 at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course's clubhouse.
Several speakers recognized Kitchen at the event, which was hosted by the Estevan Chamber of Commerce. Business and community leaders were joined by Kitchen's family, friends and colleagues.
Estevan Chamber of Commerce president Tania Hlohovsky-Andrist, Estevan-Big Muddy 小蓝视频 Lori Carr, former chamber executive director Jackie Wall, Estevan Mayor Tony Sernick, RM of Estevan Coun. Suzanne McNabb and local farmer Crystal Ross all paid tribute to Kitchen, a local chiropractor who served as Souris-Moose Mountain's MP from October 2015 until April of this year.
The speakers wove humour into their reflections. Ross recalled Kitchen's experience branding cattle, while Hlohovsky-Andrist talked about their golf exploits. Others thanked him for his efforts to promote Estevan while in Ottawa.
Hlohovsky-Andrist noted that many of her conversations with Kitchen have centred around his advocacy for Estevan's industries in Ottawa, and how it wasn't popular for Kitchen to wear his "I Love Lignite" button.
Carr finished second to Kitchen in the nomination race to be the Conservative Party of Canada's candidate for Souris-Moose Mountain in the 2015 election. She later won a contested nomination to be the Saskatchewan Party's 2016 candidate, so she said she was glad to lose to him.
Carr said she couldn't have asked for a better provincial counterpart than Kitchen, to be able to work together and fight for what is best in Souris-Moose Mountain and Estevan Big-Muddy. She marvelled at his family's support for him. It can't be easy spending time away from family, and Carr is pleased he still has the opportunity to enjoy time with family.
She knew when she sent something to Kitchen's office that it would be handled.
"I didn't feel like I had to follow up, or it wouldn't be taken care of, because they did an excellent job and that was with your leadership," said Carr.
Wall, Sernick and McNabb praised Kitchen's commitment to the region, but Wall also lauded his compassion for people when she brought her then-nine-year-old daughter to see him as a chiropractor for the first time.
"I believe she referred to you as a 'magician' when we left your office, and she often referred to you as that," said Wall.
If there were more politicians like Kitchen, Wall believes Canada would be a better country.
The strongest tribute was courtesy of Kitchen's daughter Kathryn Gilliss. She noted that some in the crowd were present to thank Kitchen for his work as a member of Parliament, while others were there to recognize him for his work as a chiropractor, hockey and soccer coach, Beaver troop leader, Bruin team doctor and fellow board member.
"For me, I have the immense honour to know him for all these roles, in addition though – and perhaps his most impactful role – as my dad," said Gilliss.
Gilliss went on to recap her father's contributions to the chiropractic profession in Saskatchewan and Canada. She noted she was in law school when her father informed her that he was looking to enter the political world for the 2015 federal election.
"From there, he jumped into three long and exhausting campaigns over a 10-year period, travelling thousands of kilometres, meeting thousands of people, with no community too small or too far out," said Gilliss.
He didn't just pay attention to the communities whose size was deemed worthy. He tried to engage as many people as possible, no matter where they were in the riding.
"He was constantly meeting with any interest group, individual or organization whose mandate was intentionally promoting the needs of Souris-Moose Mountain," said Gilliss.
He had an ability to genuinely connect with people, she said, regardless of whether they were farmers, business owners, unemployed, pensioners or someone else.
"He faithfully and purposefully served all constituents of Souris-Moose Mountain, not just the ones who voted for him. Admittedly, that was handedly most of them, with each election between 76 and 86 per cent of the vote, but it truly didn't matter," said Gilliss.
You could always find him throughout the riding, or in his office or in Ottawa, talking to people.
She predicted people would see the trickle-down impact of her father's efforts on Canadians as time moves on.
Public service is a lot like parenting, she said. It's a thankless job that is under constant scrutiny, and there is always someone under-qualified who thinks they can do better. It will also make you tear your hair out, she said, it will impact your health, sanity and time, and it's woefully underpaid.
"But when the right person engages in it, and truly engages in it, they create something that will transcend their lifetime and has a ripple effect and imprints on the lives of so many. I think it's extremely clear here that this is what happened."
As she concluded her speech, Gillis became emotional as she praised her father's leadership, integrity and selflessness, and she said she hopes he takes the time to enjoy time off with his family.
The two embraced after Gilliss' speech.
Kitchen also had his chance to reflect. He said he has been in Estevan since 1989; he noted his practice was all about community and how he could advance Estevan.
"My role at that point in time, as a chiropractor, was to assist, from a health-care point of view, wherever I could, plus my passion for sports … because I think that is such an important part for our youth, to be involved."
He also encountered so many business people, some of whom were in attendance at the clubhouse, and he thanked them for promoting Estevan.
Kitchen recalled when former prime minister Stephen Harper was in Estevan in March 2008 to speak about the federal government's support for the carbon capture and storage project at the Boundary Dam Power Station.
"That technology … is such a great asset, not only for here, but the whole country, and I spent 10 years pounding into the heads of the … Liberals, who didn't want to listen to me, about carbon capture. Over time, in the last couple of years, we've seen steps 小蓝视频 taken to advance carbon capture as an avenue to advance energy."
Kitchen said he believes Estevan can be the energy capital of Canada, with support for agriculture producers, coal miners and SaskPower employees.
Thanks to the people in the room and those in Souris-Moose Mountain, he spent a decade in Ottawa. He thanked his four staff members from throughout the riding who came to the social in Estevan. He is also grateful to his two staff members in Ottawa for their dedication. The members of the local Conservative constituency association helped him succeed.
He also had to spend time away from his family. He thanked his daughter for her speech. But he said he couldn't thank his wife Donna enough for standing by him.
"For 10 years, I haven't been around as much as I should be. Now I'm going to be around a lot more," said Kitchen.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were taking their frustrations out on her, rather than talking to him directly.
"I can't thank you enough, dear, for everything you've done," Kitchen said to applause.
Kitchen said he's not sure what he will do next, but he's not finished. He and his wife are going to spend more time together, and he's looking forward to travelling and golfing with her.
