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Svend Robinson interview Continued:

OP: Moving on to your election campaign, when I
last interviewed you, at one point you quite
vigorously denied the allegation that you were in
any way trying to politicize homosexuality, or the
gay community. Yet you are now running for elec-
tion in the Vaficouver Centre riding, which obvious-
ly is home to Vancouver's largest gay district.

In that same interview you also criticized that rid-
ing for having elected, what you described as a
“right wing Gordon Campbell clone” in the form of
Liberal MLA Lorne Mayencourt. So, if the riding is
not reliably safe NDP territory, isn't your candidacy
there simply an attempt to mobilize the gay com-
munity in your favour?

ROBINSON: No, not at all. Is it a challenge? Of
course it's a challenge. The NDP has never won
Vancouver Centre. But we did run a very strong cam-
paign in the last federal election in 2004. I think there's
a real sense in Vancouver Centre that it's time for a
change.

Yes, there's a significant gay community there, but there
are 100,000 people there. Vancouver Centre isn't just
the west end. The gay community is an important part,
but it's just one community. There's a very significant
seniors community in Centre as well, and I've fought for
many years on behalf of seniors, whether in Burnaby or
nationally.

Most importantly, I have lived almost half my adult life
in Vancouver. I lived for almost a decade in the west
end. I worked in Vancouver Centre, I drove taxis in
downtown Vancouver, it helped put me through school.
I worked as an all-night desk clerk in the Silvia Hotel,
right in the heart of Vancouver Centre. I also represent-
ed the city of Vancouver for almost ten years in parlia-
ment, along with Burnaby. Many people don't know
that, but my riding included it. I was one of the five
MPs that represented the city of Vancouver.

Obviously I'm not going to go back to my old riding
because it's now represented by my former assistant, Bill
Siksay, who's doing a great job. So Vancouver Centre is
an obvious alternative for me.

OP: At this point, with the NDP holding the effec-
tive balance of power in a Liberal minority govern-
ment, do you think your party has achieved a
“peak” of sorts, in terms of power and relevance?
Is there really much more the NDP can aspire to?

ROBINSON: Absolutely. There are two things we can
aspire to. First, in the next election we should elect
many more New Democrats, to have the real clout in
that parliament. We don't fully have the balance of
power in this one; it's a knife edge. What I'd say to peo-
ple is, “Look what we've been able to achieve with 18
New Democrat members of parliament.” We've been
able to achieve a huge amount. Imagine how much bet-
ter public life would be in this country if we had many
more New Democrats.

So step one is to elect a lot more New Democrats. And
step two is to form a government in this country. I
believe with every bone in my body that in my lifetime
we're going to see that happen, absolutely.

OP: Having been an outsider to this minority gov-
ernment saga, and the NDP's role in it, did you
ever see Mr. Layton do something and think, “Gee,
if I had been there I would have been arguing with
him to take a way different approach?”

ROBINSON: It would be totally inappropriate for me
to try and second-guess what Jack has done, or what the
caucus has done. I haven't been at the table but I look
forward to returning to that table and having a voice. I
have tremendous respect for Jack Layton. I think he's
done just a terrific job as leader. He's put us on the map
in this country, and he's put issues that that I certainly
care about passionately and New Democrats care about
passionately front and center on the political agenda.

OP: Finally, I thought I'd end with a rather open-
ended question. You're obviously a very out in the
open, controversial sort of character.

ROBINSON: Me? (laughs)

OP: Well I'd say you're easily one of the best-
known MPs. But I'd like to know, what do you
think is the biggest misconception you think peo-
ple have about you?

ROBINSON: Well, I think there are two, if I can take
liberties with your question.

One is the accusation that I'm not a team player, and

opfeatures@gmail.com

the second is the accusation that I'm a media slut.
Those are the two that are both dishonest and hurtful.

I've been a New Democrat since I was 14 years old.
That's my team, and I have been a loyal and hardwork-
ing member of that team. There have been times when
I have challenged the leadership, and times when I have
challenged my own caucus colleagues when I felt that
they took stands that were at variance with our core val-
ues as a movement and a party, and I'd do that again
tomorrow.

In terms of the media slut charge, you hear that more
than anyone else from people in the media. The irony in
it is that I have been, and I say modestly, probably one
of the most effective members in actually getting the
message out, sometimes creatively, sometimes contro-
versially. I've been on the front lines, whether it's been
at Clayoquot Sound, or whether it's been with Sue
Rodriguez, whether it's been on anti-war activities, and
you pay a price for that. But ultimately, I've put those
issues on the political agenda in this country, sometimes
almost alone. I think that's doing your job effectively
and making a difference.

OP: Well Mr. Robinson, another good interview.
Thank you sir, and best of luck in the future.

To read the full text of the interview, including
Robinson's thoughts on taking the Pledge of Allegiance
in third grade and missing out on the minority parlia-
ment of 2005, check out www.theotherpress.ca.

Photographs by: Luke Simcoe