She was my boss. She was also my friend.

I was 24 years old, working as a deck hand on a fishing boat in Ucluelet when I found out that the NDP’s Margaret Mitchell was hiring for an assistant to work in her office on Parliament Hill.

I didn’t know Margaret Mitchell personally at the time, but I knew her reputation. She was a towering force on Parliament Hill, and a champion for the people of Vancouver East. A few years earlier, she’d sparked a national conversation when she rose in the House of Commons to share statistics on domestic violence, only to watch male MPs from other parties laugh in response.

I was in awe.

Eager for even the remote chance of working with her, I sat down and wrote my resume by hand right there on the deck. I dropped it in the mail in Ucluelet, and hopped back aboard the boat for another long shift. A few weeks later when we came back ashore, I found out I had an interview. Shortly after that, I got the job and my life changed forever.

As a boss, Margaret was unbelievably kind and generous. She gave to her staff in a way that inspired you to work harder — for her, obviously, but more importantly, for the causes she elevated. Fighting injustices like domestic violence and pay equity have become fundamental issues for New Democrats, largely because of her efforts and those of her female colleagues at the time.

Even as she championed national issues, she never wavered in her commitment to her riding and the people living in it. She truly loved Vancouver East. Diverse and vibrant, home to many cultural communities and disparities in wealth and opportunity, it remains a riding unlike any other in Canada. Margaret was focused on finding the issues that could bring all the pieces and people in her riding together. Trying to be a strong voice for them in Ottawa — which feels so far away so much of the time — was something she did every day.

During my time in Ottawa, I had the opportunity to work with Margaret while she fought for one of Canada’s most desperate needs: a universal child care program. It’s a battle we’re still fighting today.

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit with Margaret for what turned out to be the last time. Sitting together in her apartment, we talked about this provincial campaign. I told her that we were finally on the cusp of being able to deliver to British Columbians a universal child care program. I shared how I consider it a part of my job to try and finish what she started.

Working alongside Margaret Mitchell was a gift and an honour. I’m grateful to her for so many things: for the generosity she showed me; the leadership she inspired in other members of the party — particularly women — and how they’ve continued to champion her causes and passions.

To all of those who knew and loved Margaret Mitchell, I join you in grief and sadness today. Tomorrow we’ll continue her work of building a more equitable, inclusive world.