Q+A: From physician to politician to premier

Adil Shamji wants to shake the Liberal "ball and chain." And a not-so-quiet constit week continues

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Q+A: WHAT’S UP, DOC? — A rare polar bear skull adorns the office of ADIL SHAMJI, who is himself adorned in bright blue socks featuring a cartoon version of his dog, Petunia Wigglebottom, wearing science lab goggles.

It’s a stark contrast that seems fitting for the rookie MPP’s rise to Queen’s Park. Before he entered the political arena — managing to hang on to Don Valley East for the decimated Grits — Shamji was an emergency room physician on the front lines of the health care crisis.

But he quickly learned that tackling the crisis as an Oppo backbencher sans recognized party status would be an even bigger challenge — so he’s hoping to kick his crusade into high gear as the next Liberal leader.

Here are the highlights from my recent one-on-one with Shamji (lightly edited for clarity and length):

Why are you running for leader? I believe that better is possible. For my entire career, I’ve been fighting for people that needed help the most. I’m an emergency physician. Whethe…