Dr. Keith Martin, MD - Member of Parliament, Esquimalt-Juan De Fuca

The Times Colonist Editorial Board

After 17 years as the MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, Keith Martin has called it a day. His retirement is a loss to the country.

Martin is not a typical politician. He has been driven by a keen desire to make life better for Canadians, and for people in developing countries. He has never been willing to compromise his principles, and being branded as someone who thinks for himself surely limited his political career.

Martin was elected in 1993, defeating former premier Dave Barrett, the incumbent in the federal riding. He was a member of the Reform party at the time and stayed with the party as it evolved into the Canadian Alliance.

He sought the leadership of the Alliance, but finished fourth. When the Alliance merged with the Progressive Conservatives, Martin opted out, sitting as an independent before joining the Liberals. Only briefly -- from June 2004 to January 2006 -- was Martin part of the government in power.

His influence, however, went far beyond his constituency and the hallways of Parliament. He tried to build awareness on issues close to his heart, including health, human rights, public transit, Canada's military role in Afghanistan and our responsibility to help poor countries.

Martin continued to work as an emergency room doctor when Parliament was not in session and he likely knows as much about Canada's health-care system as any politician.

He has devoted his life to positive changes. At times, his frustration bubbled over; in 2002, he was found in contempt of the House after he grabbed a ceremonial mace to express outrage with the parliamentary process.

Martin says he will continue working "to implement innovative solutions to address the domestic and international challenges we face." It's a shame he has to step away from Parliament to make progress in his goals.