Playing more piano and gathering more wood for the fire sounds good . . . real good to Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko.
That’s what he’ll be doing in two years when he hangs up his political hat upon retirement.
“I will be 70 in two years; that’s probably a good time to retire,” he said.
The popular, down-to-earth politician wants to move on with his life and pursue the things he enjoys.
“The first thing I’ll do is stay home on my property and not move . . . gather wood for the winter and play the piano.”
Atamanenko has been in the political game for 10 years, starting in 2003 after retiring as a teacher. He taught French immersion in Castlegar and the Russian language in Selkirk College.
He was elected in 2006 and was subsequently appointed agriculture critic by NDP leader Jack Layton.
While Atamanenko can list several highlights of his career, he points to the little things that mean the most. For example, learning that Cawston has a main street, and the importance of the Mother’s Day Peace March from Osoyoos to the US border. He always enjoys making that trip.
“Getting to know the people on a personal basis . . . this has been the most enriching experience in my life.”
Atamanenko said he has met so many people committed to fighting for causes they believe in. One is the fight against genetically-modified foods.
“We’re trying to expose the GMO thing for what it is – corporate control of our food supply.”
Atamanenko has been lauded for his National Food Strategy tour across Canada to promote food sovereignty. He stressed it’s important that Canadians feed themselves rather than rely on imported food.
The politician said his proudest accomplishment to date is being able to demonstrate that people can work together on common issues regardless of their political beliefs.
The other accomplishment is steering his party away from supporting the biofuels initiative in agriculture.
Atamanenko also expressed his worry about the Canada-European Trade Agreement. He also doesn’t like what the North American Free Trade Agreement has done to farmers in the Okanagan who are competing with subsidized produce from the United States.
“It’s just wrong,” he lamented.
But one of the worst things that bothers Atamanenko is how the Conservative government makes decisions contrary to what the majority of Canadians believe in.
“They make policy changes as if they represent 100 per cent of Canadians . . . the valuing of opinions doesn’t happen anymore.”
He pointed to the Omnibus bill, program cutbacks and the erosion of labour rights as examples.
If he had a magic wand, Atamanenko would wave it and change the proportional representation system in Canada to better reflect what voters want and deserve.
He also believes there is nothing wrong with parties coming together and reaching a compromise.
When Atamanenko retires, he will miss a lot of things about communities like Osoyoos and Oliver; things like having coffee with the mayor, staying overnight at Jack and Sue Whittaker’s, and dropping in at the local newspaper.
“It’s my home away from home . . . that’s the fun part of my job.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
