Therefore, I take the time to honor the elected who have honored their oaths of office to protect and serve the innocence of the child, as eloquently presented by Velvet.
My children survived. Her child did not.
On a mission...
My heart is heavy today; I’ve just been alerted of the passing of Weslyn Mather. A very special lady, Weslyn was the first politician that I met with genuine conviction to do right by others. I remember reaching out to you just under a decade ago. Weslyn was the shadow Minister for Children’s Services in the Province at that time. I distinctly remember viewing a newscast regarding the fatality of a child and I saw sincere outrage and passion lit within Weslyn’s face. I had also just lost my little girl so I decided to reach out. For the first time, I felt I was being listened to. You were warm, intuitive, and real. An intelligent woman with great integrity who well-understood political bureaucracy, yet did not allow nonsense to limit pursuit of ethical outcome. On my behalf, you helped table issues surrounding children with developmental and medical diversity in the legislature to create distinction between the child welfare model. My goal was to ensure future families would be provided funding for support services directly without coercion over guardianship, nor demand for out of home placement. You helped to establish Samantha's Law improving lives of vulnerable children and preserving rights of families through family-centred care principals. You introduced me to other wonderful individuals such as Dr. David Swann, invited me to politicial events and into your home. I was wowed by your affection for people, none so obvious as the great maternal pride held and demonstration of love for your grandson. The world has lost a tremendous leader.
In sincere respect and with love,
Velvet Martin
Founder of Samantha’s Law
Spokesperson for Protecting Canadian Children
Founder of Samantha’s Law
Spokesperson for Protecting Canadian Children
A 'stalwart in the party,' interim Liberal Leader David Swann says
Former Liberal MLA Weslyn Mather died at her home in Edmonton on Sunday.
"We're really all reeling under this tremendous loss to both her family and her community and to the Liberal Party," interim provincial Liberal Leader David Swann said. "She was a stalwart in the party."
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| Canadian MLA Weslyn Mather |
The former teacher and school counsellor represented the riding of Edmonton-Mill Woods from 2004 until 2008, when she was defeated by PC Carl Benito.
Mather ran for the Liberals in 2012 but was unsuccessful in reclaiming her seat. She last ran for public office for a seat on the board of trustees at Edmonton Public Schools.
Mather's husband Dick Mather, a former city councillor and chairman of Edmonton Public Schools, died in 1997. Injuries from a car crash in 1972 meant she had to use a wheelchair to get around.
Mather was the Liberal critic for children and youth services while she was an MLA.
Her work was praised by Janis Tarchuk, then the department's Progressive Conservative minister, after Mather had lost her seat.
"She was wonderful to work with and a great advocate for the children and families in this province," Tarchuk said during debates of the govenment estimates in May 2008.
Swann said he and Mather were close. They were first elected in 2004 and sat next to each other in the legislature.
Swann said she died at home. She had developed an infection and it had "got away," he said.
"It makes it doubly tragic because it would appear that she maybe didn't have the medical care there that she might have needed."
Federal Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr, a former Alberta Liberal MLA, offered a tribute to Mather on Twitter.
"She was a stalwart in the battle for a better Alberta," he said. "She will be missed."
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