Services Set for Independent MP Chuck Cadman

Monday, July 11, 2005 03:59 AM

"With integrity and principle, Chuck Cadman came into politics to make a difference. And he succeeded." Those are the words of Prime Minister Paul Martin on the passing of Independent M.P. Chuck Cadman.

Cadman died on the weekend of skin cancer.

The Surry North MP initially entered politics to bring about tougher penalties for young offenders who repeat or commit violent crime. That work was sparked by the murder of his 16 year old son, Jesse, who was stabbed to death in 1992 in a random attack by a group of teens.

Eleven years after Jesse's death, Parliament brought in the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which replaced the Young Offenders Act.

Chuck Cadman's most recent contribution was his vote in favour of the Martin Liberals in the May 19th confidence ballot. Even though he had undergone chemotherapy a short time before that vote, he flew to Ottawa to make certain his vote counted. It was his vote that kept the Liberals on the line, and opened the door for the Speaker of the House to cast the final vote, swinging it in favour of the Liberals. Cadman later said he sided with the government because his constituents had told him they didn't want to go back to the polls in a summer election.

A memorial service has been set for this Saturday at Surrey's Johnson Height's Church.

Chuck Cadman is survived by his wife Dona, and daughter Jodi. He was 57.
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