MP Alex Atamanenko (Photo supplied)
MP Alex Atamanenko is hosting an open house in Oliver next week giving his constituents a chance to visit as he prepares for life after politics.
Atamanenko, the MP for B.C. Southern Interior, will not be running in the next federal election, which is expected in October.
The open house will be held at his Oliver constituency office at 566 Fairview Road from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15.
“We often do this in Castlegar at Christmas,” said Atamanenko, adding that coffee and refreshments will be served. “We’ve never really done that in Oliver before so we thought it would be a good idea because this is my last year to do an event like this.”
The MP noted that spring is a good time because Parliament finishes in June and people are often away during the summer.
He expects that Parliament won’t sit next fall due to the election.
Atamanenko was first elected as the NDP MP in January 2006 and has been re-elected twice since, in 2008 and 2011, in the same constituency.
Electoral boundaries have been redrawn for the upcoming federal election.
During his time as an MP, Atamanenko served as the NDP critic for Agriculture, Agri-food, Rural Affairs and the Canadian Wheat Board.
Asked about highlights of his career in the national capital, Atamanenko said what he has enjoyed the most is working with committed people, not just in Ottawa, but in the riding and across the country.
“I’ve been involved in a number of issues,” he said. “Food sovereignty, the anti-GMO (genetically modified organism) campaign and peace issues. It’s been really a privilege to meet so many committed people. When you have a job like this, you get involved in their issues and we work together and that’s been for me the highlight.”
The MP acknowledged that being in the opposition rather than in government has been frustrating, especially since 2011 when there has been a majority Conservative government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“It’s very hard to effect change,” he said. “When we were in the minority situation, there was more going back and forth and the opposition could drive the agenda more. It’s pretty hard to do that now with these guys.”
A recent example of this futility was when Atamanenko had to fly to Ottawa to cast his vote against expanding and extending Canada’s role in the war in Iraq and Syria and then had to return to the riding the next day.
“I knew I had to be there as a matter of principle,” he said. “But I knew that my vote wouldn’t count. That’s the frustrating situation.”
The MP said when he leaves politics he will miss the many people who work at the House of Commons, ranging from maintenance staff to clerks and people who work in the Speaker’s office.
“It’s a very nice place to work,” he said. “People are very professional. I’ve always been treated with respect by colleagues from all parties, in spite of our differences politically and the violent disagreement that I may have with policies of the government.”
Atamanenko plans to retire to his farm in Pass Creek, play guitar and make firewood in his spare time.
“I think at the present time I don’t really have any major plans,” said Atamanenko. “I think I just want to unwind a little bit, play some music and look after my health. I’d like to devote some time to myself now and to Ann, my wife, and get on with life.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
