~ By JENNIFER LANG.
: ANDY. ‘BURTON has~a-
: message for: ‘his. challeng-

ers:

“Skeena’ $. “incumbent:
- Member ‘Of..Parliament °
. likes his’ job = really: likes: =.
his, job ~ ‘and he’ isn't about
Veto sive". ‘it, up. ‘without: an

7 “fight:

me campaign and: the’ Conisér-" -
. *-"'Vative: candidate’ seems-Te- _
“axed, jovial. and up: for the
‘Challenge. «
Do Its ‘a Monday. hight.
“it's closing i in:on 10-p.m, =
an! hour. when! any’: ‘other :
a ‘candidate’. smight’ well” be
ae expected: to gall it.a.da
Vee Buel Burton’ -cheerfu
ye agrees tO.'an
“Je moments after:. the. ‘first: -
“ “candidates ‘forum of the
“a Campaign | wraps Up...
“There. Was -a. bit: ‘of:
“sniping”: he : says, — m.on*
: the hot seat —'T hadn't-qu-.:
-. ite expected. that.” *
--... : His record: as MP ‘is’ up
: for’ debate. i in this election:. .
-What* has’ the’ opposition:
‘MP: ‘been able.to- accom-
lish, -his- 5 challengers won:
“deren!
|. He seems « ‘genuinely
“surprised that tonight’ sau.
‘diénce seemied sO. interest-..
edin: his, stance. agdinst:.
“same: sex marriage... Dele
' Last year, Burton scnt a

“ constittients’. -seekinig: ‘feed: *
lack on. ‘his: party's - “posi-.
.tion’on same sex marriage.
“Stacks * and: Stacks” “of
surveys. ‘poured: in, - more’.
than-on any’ other i issue, .

: ‘cent Of ‘the: people:who Te:
“ sponded said. they ‘wanted.
--their-MP to. uphold: the tra-

> Phage...
To ‘Burton “thisie care
ot more. important: issues face
-\ ing thé: riding “-"na
“" the’ beleaguered. economy
., aAs.-a-former. councillor
“and: mayor, ‘oF: Stewart, ae.
-.tiny port built onthe ‘for
:tunes of mining ‘and: ‘forést-
AY ‘Burton has had to. ada
“ - tolife as an’ MP,.- :

oSPake: the. wardrobe: the

- first time: he: ever. wore a

“his first.day:in. Ottawa e as
= Skeena’ s MP-in 2000; «

: parliamentary: ‘gift'shop it’
was 25" per.cent off. ” ot
a hen ~ there. was. the--.
- commute:- ‘between. Ter: :
“race, -his:home base ‘in this
csprawling northern’ viding,”
“and. Ottawa.“
2 Te! seally got me: down,

- e 1

By. JEFF. NAGEL.

when . Roger ; ‘Benham’ s:
‘contrarian: streak, first sur-
_faced,: you. might; Jook’ to:

= “England, *
Tt om early: 1960

here: was ‘the’:

. “history: to refuse .and-de
- clare: himself a ‘pacifist,

“Says, *T ‘said, ta: ther, “No, ;
~L-syon’ ae a
“Now. running for the
-- Gréen - Party . here. : in: ‘the,
rn federal’ election, that: ‘sen
aa timent. colours the’ ‘S7-year-
” old's thinking to this day...

frugal existance -~ -he’d:-

‘that!s..taxed and. :helps.
inance: ‘Canada’ s. ‘military.
SW) live” way below.:
ve the poverty: ‘line; Benham.
“ sayse“T've: probably’ lived,

- that way for 20 years.7-700--.
“-- “T reatly-resent, having
_ .ahy money’ put towards the:

oe “military,” ‘hesays, adding

_- he'd feel. differently. if Cae.
nada was purely 4 a. ‘peace:
keeping: country... Bo
‘Benham:-onée: ‘worked A
coos as att “engineering consult-
“ant but has*been in Cana-

: ern-day: horhesteader,” first,” w

in’ thé Robson Valley’ and a at

arr now. hear Telkiwat. ;

‘One week into the. 2004.

interview,”

“householder. newsletter. to”

Burton: “Says “B25. per.

ditional definition. of mar-

- “wind ‘schedule Members: “of

“suit van” tie: to-work: Was*

He bought the. tie at the -

‘ie YOU HAD ‘to pinpoint »

“Woodmere Lodge: foes
: Benham. now - owns. a’
small. sawmill, “cutting as-: -
ao, “pen “to:-build. ‘homes and.

and: coin ulsory military.”
"training. for students - - like.

“his ‘days as. a schoolboy: ‘in

“He deliberately: ‘lives. as.

father * not. ‘make. money 7
“Homes |
“although ©.
“hooked -up to, cable, i. Sate
" ellite dish: or-even’ an an=
- tenn: But his’ wife is’ using
“VCR technology ‘to intro~"
. ‘duce: her husbarid to. appro:

‘cinematic. imagery’ ‘on: the
stump, with references. to.”
_ da ‘for’ 30. years. and: ‘has. the

spent. much-of it asa mod

the first while,: béchuse |

looked at- ‘it as travel. Now, 7
it's-a commute. It-doesn’t:

‘bother me,"-he says. »

“It was such: a lifestyle.

- chainge:- ‘= from: a fairly’ re-

axed; laid- back sort of ex- -
istence-.to'a- busy, busi- ©
“nes s- ‘Buit- -on- a- rdaily- basis
‘world.’ Me
PIP s:a: ‘itinding. schedule! .
- Weekdays: Burton: puts ‘in’.

~ 10: ta. 14-hour’ days” when

“he's” in Ottawa,’ Then: he.

~ flies honie® “on: weekends
“several: limes.a month

“probably gone out for’ sup-
“per cin. Ottawa “not. 10

y -stinies,” Burton: says, “Ilsa
usy. lifes So anybody who

“thinks they’ re going-to be

“playing golf in the after-.

Moon is dreaming”: orn
“There are a few: | minor

“indulgences, He drinks one.
‘gallon of. two percent milk.
a week and: -ptofesses .a

ondness - for’ English: beer.
Perhaps, that’ '§ avnod:to his.
‘roots ~ Burton was: born, in
England: his” family - im- -

“migrated : 40" ‘Canada, when.
- he was 10.

‘And he. dives @ second".
‘hand 1993. Cadillac for the.
20- -minute. ‘commute: ‘to.

_Ann:share. > ; ;
Tima big: ‘guy - = “1 need :
a big: car,” ‘he’ explains, He -
‘drives’ | “
Hiding. +

- He vand: “Anna are’ “fre-

~ quently Spotted. at.com-"-
‘munity: events. in the riding.
~ froma mini movie festi-:’
-val-on the political plight:

Braduation ceremonies,
[v's all’ part of the whirl:

Parliament. are: expected to’:
‘eope’ with. « “
“You've: ‘really’ tot to!
watch | your weight, though,
"you. feally. do, because’ you.
-don't-eat “properly,” Metig

“The: hectic, pace leaves:
little. timeé:-for:-a.' proper
meal,i: particularly: ‘onthe:
campaign trail, when can-'

“one event. to another.

OBS: for: breakfast," . Burton
‘points: “out,” ““then™] had “a...
f-soup forlunch ‘and
a ‘ gtilléd “cheese” sandwich
for. dinner because ‘I: didn't:
“have | time” for anything
velse." _

. Burton, wlio turns 62 int’
‘uly, has ‘weathered. mare...
change ‘than: most. MPs -
might expect, to come their

“He: lives in’ a ‘hand- -built ’
solar: “powered . ‘log house)
_ with aslarge workshop: on. |
~~ 160 .-acresy

‘He. calls

.other projects... -He* makes’

Benham: ‘has married ¢ ‘a.

séts-\in: each” of “the” twa.
they.
othey're-

Priate, non-violent ‘movies:

JAnd®.he: ‘does:

“E-would:say. in the last
three-and- -a-half. years T've

Parliament’. Hill. from: the.”
partment. he: and: ‘bis: wife ;

Suburban in “the:

f Tibetans to high: school ”

on vdaysin™ government si is. bet

“ didates “are .whisked- from”

“AT, did-have two’ ‘boiled ~

it

‘some money. through. that, -
through: his” ‘photography:
rand by. “selling: food:-he
. Brows” cat" they Smithers
_ first:in his. school’s 80-year: Fal ne
.- Life® has ° ‘grown: " some--
_ what -more, civilized. ‘of.
rt. ‘late, ‘thougli. rok

“share,”

“My ‘wife was. ‘delighted:
to. learn hadn't watched.<.t
movies in:about- 20 years,"
“Benham. BOYS. ON ey
invoke’ Is :
~ potter: who: ‘piew. disaffect:

- It’s a suit and tie world | :
for Burton while i in Ottawa |

REY

ELECTED IN 2000 asa Canadian Alliance
slow dissolution.of that:
~ Conservative Party of Canada. He’ 8 enjoying the 2004 campaign 50 far.

ey

MP, “Andy Burton experienced the ||
party and was in‘on the creation of its replacement, the -

way during their first ierm =
in office... - “
Like most sitting Con:
_ Servative MPs, Burton: be-
gan’. the’. dast’ term” as: ‘a
member. of the: Canadian :
. Alliance, the: ssuecessor wo
- the Reform: Paty. *- “i - the riding ~
During | his’: first ‘year’ “in
ffice,- Burton’ ‘and ‘a group -
“of rogue © Alliance’: MPs’ ”
were. briefly. suspended’ -
-from caucus after“ ‘théy--
‘voiced: their : ‘disapproval. of:
-then-leader: Stockwell” ‘Day.
Burton, eventually. teturned ;
to the fold: oe 8s *
, “Remarkably; now" ‘that
“the” Canadian. ‘Alliance’ and*
Togressive Conservatives ©
_ have: united “andér- the
~ Conservative: Party: banner, tbe ‘The: first. was” in 1986"
‘there. are ‘sighs’ that Liberal - when. he. ran inthe -Atlin’-
Party could “face ‘its? most: Jiding. under’ ‘the: banner of *:
‘serious. challenge” in: well’: Social. Credit.” ‘He lost: to
“waver a. decade," ees NDPer Larry Girrio.
B “They. tell: me the: ‘worst *

‘St. James,” he says.

” But a sénse. of: northern.
_- pragmatism prevails on’ ‘the ©
campaign trail. 3
“0 The, ‘Candidates:
‘been: invited’ to? forums: in ~

da: Coola,” a Temotée village
on B.C:'s’ central Coast. —

a Wet d°have. to: vall
charter : ae ‘plane’ and. all “20°.
5 together,” : Burton: ; ‘Says, =
-grinning at: the “thought: “’
“That would” be. the - best :
way” to do it. Why. not?”

“Prior: to: his: entry: into”
federal politics, ‘Burton ran”
‘fora seat. in the. B Colegis-‘,”

doth: times.

sina te

itetithan thé best:dhy in ‘op-~.B:
position. — we’. Te: going’ to:
-find out! a 2 Mut: Giesbrecht:: be
“2 -His™ ‘party. has: ‘changed, Ve /But, he: ‘took. Skeena: in.
‘and so has the size“of ihe 2000. as a- Canadian - ALS
“riding.: —-thanks to ‘déclin- liance: “MP, after. Mike *
~ ing population. in thé north: -
 Newly-created: “Skeena-: again.
“Bulkley Valley i is 324,000. °°.’ Burto’ “cites. ‘securing an.
“'squaré-‘miles;: larger. than’.
England, Scotland, Wales os
and: Northern’ Ireland: com oS
“bined. | noe -_ proudest acconiplishments;:-
aa “What's s:an issue in, the. -, [t's the ‘day-to-day. du-:
“Queen: Charlottes” means ‘ties’ of-an MP — navigating...
“absolutely” nothing: in Fort. through the” labyrinthian

s stubborn and. a pacifist

.. THIS IS THE third time Green. Roger Benham has °
Smithers woinan, © ‘a half-“

time. extended Gare nurse |
= since: ‘his’: previous elec-
etoral: srtins for the ‘Greens'i in)
the 2000: federal: “election -:
Bnd 2001' provincial ‘lec.
2 Hon; i ne
“Another nad. to ‘modern wo DENEY
life: they: have: telévision ="Benh

taken a run at-either provincial or federal elected of-

homesteader. outside: of Talkwa.

oy don’ I think we'd: have
; a Kilometre, of. ice- above.
‘our heads’ just ike that.

jeve’ it

first. camé' Here. 1- thought.

‘takes. time,”

ve But’ hes notes: Peritagon.
; seal “climate: ° vealtnier’,
= change a ‘greater threat io. a sense:of
"the: U.S; than’ terrorism, po-: ort
“tentially,” ‘fuelling: famines. towns in. ean aa
~and massive: movements of Be
refugees 4 in: the ters of. mil his,
ionges. 2 .
; “But” by. 2020. things. he i
“sould” be’. very” nasty,” ‘he: “fri
added, “Tm scared.” :
In. past ‘elections, Ben-..
: ham has ‘told: the: ‘Standard 7
“he wes a former: NDP: sip: * lO--unseat : the: ‘provincial

boih ‘serve: on‘a committee

ved with the party. and: went

Today: perhaps: like:
many’ British Columbians.
Benharh” denies ever.

ee seandidate: Rod d Taylor.

‘have

practically: every, corner: of.
including -Bel-. |

lature: ‘twice ° = ~ and , Lost.

»He-lost “again. in ‘1996:
“when: ‘He ran asa Reform”
Cc. ‘daindidaré! Tosi: to
-incumbent NDP. MLA Hel- oo

‘Scott decided. fot! to: Tun:

Instrument: ‘Landing ‘Sys-
‘tem: (ILS) for the’ Terrace."
“Kitimat! Airport:-among his

-2005 election. a
'. “We're pretty” “good .
Benham’: “SUYS;, "
adding he | disputes the: -]-§
VOLES

‘fice. An. engineer. by. training, Benham is now: a:

the ; /NDP.. ‘was fo. Hight
“Win change:

erty you'll find-in. northeet voting ©

“The. two Smithers men

federal. bureaucracy on be: ~

half: of constituents: = ‘that .

“Burton likes:

“with people. and, helpizg: .

. people ~ that’s: why: I want

: to da this: "
He: ‘and: his staff : have

“dealt with: ‘thousands’ of "Je
“= everything: ~
" from’ putting a. rush On: ae
“frantic: vacationer’s’- passé: 7
pork: ‘application: ‘to’ helping Qo
‘a Student qualify for a,fed-

: caseloads 2

eral’ grant ‘after. the® bu-.~ 7)

reaucracy. let her’ down, ar
: He: ‘also: helped Prince ~
Rupert’ s Viviers: family: Té-*"
*main:-in. Canada ‘on’ com-". oF
: passionate ‘grounds - = three **
out of.four family: members

suffer: from. porphyria,:

which: smtikes’ ‘thegn’ ‘allergic

‘tol che'fun!!?
: ‘When the: South ‘Africa

family’ had exhausted ‘alls =.
their:formal: avenues. of. ap-. oe

B Hy?
~ peal... Burton: was. ingly, -*|-Maneouver's ‘middle’ class. neighbourhoods.

s “vulnerable: "

able. ta ‘intervene,

"They hit: the. brick wal” .

“in February, ‘they: were’ go

ing to" be deported, "hep
said: “1 went-and sat" down |.
withthe minister ‘and: said, ©".

‘Look’ dt, ‘this’ is the.‘situa- ”
‘tion’ “and. fesolved: it, You |
don’t: ‘do-it on,the- front”

‘Page of: the: newspaper” :

friends,”

view that: Green:

come far: more.at NDP ex- .
pense than other-parties, °-”
~ Green support comes.

from across the: political’: |°-
‘spectrum, he said. ©” 7

He's. perplexed that ‘his a |
message draws applause-at © -

all candidates forums. but

that doesn't: translate : “into.” .
. large numbers: of votes one

election day...

‘He-chalks’ it up: to. yan}

combination of people vol, :

ing. against ‘w party: or: gov.
‘ernment. rather - than: for, a
"set of: values: -+.aind - the’ a

“Tye ‘never ever voted Hendericy . toward strategic ee

“NDP,” he’ says: “When

volings.. i.
Ben han’.

-Gréens” hope ‘that’ ‘could.
ginning: with»
.C,'s mave “toward: eléc-
oral: reform. Under’ a pros
“représentation:= |
“Greens.”

ortional:: :
‘Systems

- cWould get at léast I5-seats ~
cine Parliament - if: they: pot: |,
: even five®: er “cent cof ANE

opular: vote.

But: under ‘the “present.”
first-past-the-post System I.
~* Greens like ‘Benham are:
y still’ waiting to rank
there’ ‘dedicated to working. :.
: Green ‘MP:

Liberal: .governinent in the |

‘More next week.

5 OUR FEDERAL election profil iles® continued. next: wicek 2
“with features: on New Demoerat Nahi Cullen; Liber,
al Miles” Richardson and Christian: | Heritage Party 1.

Is aoe “swe polieyalternatives a.

NS: wh

[ue ea : es
: Although. ‘the ‘study indleaiea that: the: “highest: an
‘the: “poorest : ~

| | The: Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - AS

Children need |
better care than
- what i is now.

: “being p r ovided

By Dr.. Clyde Hertzman

are overithe, néxt ‘five: years. re ™ 7
“This: “isn't the. first time’ federal Libetils- have. ve

; deserve: a-goyernment ihat will deliver.”
“(from birth Jo. ape 5): has gained a public ‘profile and.
Agenda was agreéd: to. in“the” late - 1990s, and since | -

+, provincial transfer payments. “ on

While: some: important baby. steps have ‘been: taken, -
we're. still a long: way: from: a ‘comprehensive, early.
childhood development. ‘Strategy. : , +
Yet there is‘ iow: ‘an: impressive ‘body of ‘evidence

health, wellbeing, academic “achievement,
competence for the: Test: ofa person’ s life. “ oo:
We know -thatva child? $ development i is. strongly aa
‘environments. where ‘he, or- she: grows lives, and
learns. ; 2 ;
We also khow: ‘that stark. inegiilities: in “child a
development emerge over the: ‘first five years of life,
These inequalities’ are ‘related ‘to’a’ range ‘of: factors,
‘including , family. ‘income. and: education, parenting”

P..

“access to quality child-care. programs, «. ee
 In-other words, families ‘do ‘not ‘operate. on ‘their.
‘own. Children : ‘who grow. up in. safe’ and ‘close-knit:

His: “work” may. not ale’ “communities “do. better, in’ general, than’ those. from

ways “gain ‘headlines, ° “but ae
_he-finds it. rewarding. © .
“You: don't have - ‘any; 7
“weekends,” hé-says,.“But’ ||
-Venjoy: “it! | think theeting ©;

dangerous. and socially’ fragmented neighbourhoods.
«Access’ to quality ; child. care: ‘and. ‘developmental’.

“all ‘Canadian - children. : This “means - sthatsociety is’ -
-invalved. ‘in -early-child ’ development, whether. we
“want to address.our role or not; =” ‘
- Publicly, we ‘Speiid | more: than $6, 000 per “child on:
Ea 12. education, But, we. spend less. than one-sixth of °

_ public funding: ‘for. early: echildhood development
* BCD) should be a-central ‘election ‘issue. |. _
-ASrecent initiative in: Vancouver ‘measured ;
“kindergarten, ‘children's’ ‘readiness ‘for school-in three-.

impact’ on: health, well- being: and: school. ‘success. The *
Pesults.*
“neighbourhood level, postal ‘code-by-pdstal: code.” =
What. emerged: is ‘a :comprehensive . picture | of
“Vancouver ‘as “an - environment: for early. childhood
- development, ‘rich’ in insights as to. what: we, as a”
community, should: ‘address. in: ‘order io improve the ~-
ite. chances. of. our youngest citizens. . The: insights: :

rer ts hie
rom: -Vancouver. are © relevant to, communities; across
niky,! ay we vase .

developmental tisk. is.:found.
‘neighbourhoods “in: (own, the largest number of: ° |
‘children :‘at - isk: is- found more thinly, spread across

,

‘About’.20° per cent of Vancouver’
“children live-in. the three “high risk” neighbourhoods,
“while: ‘the. other: 80: ‘petcent, were Spread: ‘across the mo

“rest of the. city : a
“Af the: ‘purpose: ‘of an: ‘early childhdod development I

“reduce. social: inequality, ‘then a ‘strategy to prowide - :

universal’ access: to the conditions: that: support healthy
. child development i is crucial. ‘ ;

“Mancouver: has. a. variety: of. child’ care cénlies and _
child development | programs,’ ‘but funding ‘levels are .
low, ‘programs. are: “unstable, " -ngighbourhood
Accessibility’ “varies and the" mix of Programs | is, ad a
Phoe.: : :
‘Licensed child care is hard to’ find i in aieas. where :
parents ‘have: the-least: -

.from the,” most, ©
Equalizing access’. :to.
‘quality.:care ‘child is'a.-..
vital part of an. effective. a
early child: development |

top priorily, for those: in» .
control of. the: purse:
‘strings. a
‘The - ‘Vancouver’ study os
also tells us that. children. |
whose “family?
backgrounds might: put.

Alive. in’ mixed- -income
_neighbourhoods, tend: to
do. better - than
counterparts ‘i

Dr. clyde Hertzman

“income neighbourhoods. oo
In’ other. words, mixed neighbourhocds lead: to.

. “ldwer.- ‘levels’ of ‘developmental Vulnerability: than’.

economically: segregated poor neighbourhoods. This’
‘confirms: the need: for ‘policies. that build.-diversity,
such as more social. housing’ spread across ‘our. cities...
Some, progress has-been, made. at the federal. level...”
“The ‘recognition ‘of. child . ‘care’: by» the : federal .
‘pOVernmeht. as" a: ‘cornerstone of. ‘early childhood. -
development and: promises of. increased, funding, a are: as
“Bod: start. But itis only-a start.
What we: need: isa long-term’ conimitment, “across
‘all Jevels of. ‘governinent, to’ build:.a. system: of -
“publicly: funded, universal: access. ‘to opportutiities for
: development, learning and” care so that ‘all: Canadian
children: havea fair-chance‘at school and life success.
‘And We" need:-to’ ensure. that’ the. politicians who.
> make: it to Ottawa. this month: are Prepared: to make. vo
thot cominitnient, : ; aa
“DE, ‘Clyde: ‘Hertaman +t isa a Canada’ Research ‘Chair i in.
“Population: Health arid’ Human: Development, Director.

“the University of British: Columbia.”
‘He's also’a Research. Associate: Of the ‘Canadian :
“Contre for Policy Alternativ A‘ summary cof Di.

“Herlzman’s. ‘research: available vat:

“WITH Aa federal campaign: on, promises are flying... Be
“faster: ihan the:puck at a_playoff, game. Most. Tecently,..)-
Pauk. Martin. pledged. several’ billion dollars. for: child

“ ‘promised ahajor-action on ‘child, care. Canada’ s ids: ee
‘Over’ the: last decade, the: early. childhood ‘period 7
-some government, recognition. A: Natinal: Children’ BL

“then there -have -been: ‘modest. increases: in: federal- aoe

showing. that. early-. childhood: -dévelopment. affects.
cand.

influenced by -the: - day-to- nday.": qualities ‘of © ‘the -

‘style, . neighbourhood ° safety: ‘and income level, and . -

‘programs ‘and ‘services’ ‘provides important. benefits for)
“this amount. between. ‘birth: arid ‘5 years. This. cutoff _

“point: makes to: sense, and ‘the ‘lack :of adequate’. ..

“areas of child-:development’ that-have ‘a long-term |

of: this. - Study.” were. mapped © al. the

“strategy. is to-give all; kids.a. better: chance ‘in life and _

education—~where- oo,
children would benefit =~

* strategy. It shéuld‘be a =|.

them at ‘risk, but ‘who . :

their. =
lew: mS

“of the Human Early ‘Learning. Partnership, of. B.C: and a : a