Even terminal brain cancer couldn’t dissuade Paul Dewar from his belief that life, community and the world at large were best approached with an optimistic outlook.

Dewar, who died on Wednesday, spent his final year setting up a foundation to support others, particularly the young, in their pursuit of a better world.

Politics often serves to divide people but Dewar, a former New Democrat MP from Ottawa, didn’t approach it that way. His politics were based on deep personal and community values, not partisan lines. Politics was never a blood sport for him.

He looked for inclusion, engagement and concrete solutions. He was fierce in his convictions but willing to listen to others with differing viewpoints.

Principle, pragmatism and optimism is a potent combination that rightly earned him respect across party lines. In these divisive times we could use a lot more politicians like Paul Dewar.

In life, he brought people together. In death, he used his final public statement to urge others to carry on that work:

In my time on this earth, I was passionate about the power of citizens working together and making a difference.

I wanted a Canada where we treat our fellow citizens with the dignity, love and respect that every one of us deserves.

I wanted a world where we reduced suffering and increased happiness. A world where we took better care of each other...

It is easy sometimes to feel overwhelmed by the gravity of the challenges we face. Issues like climate change, forced migration and the threat posed by nuclear weapons. It’s hard to know how to make a difference.

The secret is not to focus on how to solve the problem, but concentrate on what you can contribute – to your country, your community and neighbours.

Start from a place of compassion...