Since his election as MLA for Powell River - Sunshine Coast in 2005, Nicholas Simons said politics has made him grow a thicker skin.
"People can say things about you, and it's hard to just sort of let it go," he explained from his Powell River constituency office.
Simons was a social worker before the legislature. He said his transition to politics has necessitated a similar "gentle but firm" approach. Yet in the public eye, opinions and evaluations of a person's character never seem to go away.
"At the same time, you know, I just do my best, and I hope people recognize I work hard," he said. "I hope that counts for something."
The 47-year-old New Democrat has served as an opposition critic throughout his career in the assembly, charged with bringing attention to government fault lines in areas like tourism and the arts, multiculturalism, children and families and, most recently, the community living program.
In February of 2011, Simons announced that he would be seeking the leadership of the party, vowing to clean up the province's political atmosphere and prove that power isn't only the purview of the rich and powerful.
He would surrender his candidacy in April to support rival John Horgan, but for Simons it was still mission accomplished.
"I think that did partly help for getting the party on the right track to heal the wounds," he said. "We're feeling good, we're confident. We're not confident in a pompous way, but we're assured we're fighting for the right issues."
Issues like the 2002 beating death of 19-month-old Sherry Charlie in Port Alberni, which came to the boiling point in 2006.
A child welfare agency had placed the toddler under the care of her great uncle in 2002, a man with a violent criminal record. Three weeks later, she was gone.
Simons said his investigations into the matter were pushed aside by the government, but an inquiry led by then conflict of interest commissioner Ted Hughes recommended the establishment of a stand-alone agency to oversee the child welfare system.
"I think if there can be a legacy for the devastation that Charlie's family went through, it's that the system is constantly trying to improve itself at least," Simons said. "That was one of the things that I've been happy about."
Over the coming year, before the province enters election season in the spring of 2013, Simons' attention is on local issues affecting his riding.
Perhaps his greatest concern is affordable housing and its impact on making Powell River - Sunshine Coast an attractive destination for families and young professionals.
Or maybe advocating on behalf of the Sechelt Indian Band to help them achieve their goal of building a recreation facility will take centre stage.
At the end of the day, whether running for the party leadership or trumpeting local issues, Simons said his main career goal is to have an impact on the creation of better public policy.
So far, he's had to work towards that goal as an opponent of government.
"I wouldn't say it's pushed me to the edge," he said, while admitting his frustrations with the legislative process in B.C.
But has he ever thought about giving it up?
"There are obviously times where I'm as frustrated as any citizen," he said, highlighting a desire to see more meaningful debate in the legislature.
"It's almost as if government treats the legislative process as a bit of a bother."
Between the ups and downs, Simons turns to music for a relief from the world of politics. He and the country music band Slim Milkie are planning to tour this summer.
Before politics, Simons said he used to perform more regularly - a long time ago, he said, the glory years he likes to bring back when time allows.
"That's part of the challenge of this job," he said. "It's time consuming and I enjoy it all, but I can be really obsessive on it too and not take time to do other things."
