Yukon MLA Cardiff remembered

Yukon NDP MLA Steve Cardiff was remembered by his family, friends and coworkers, including fellow politicians, at a celebration of life service in Whitehorse over the weekend.

More than 400 people gathered at the Yukon Convention Centre on Saturday to say goodbye to Cardiff, who waskilled in a July 6 motor vehicle collision on the South Klondike Highway. He was 54 years old.

Cardiff had represented Mount Lorne, a riding that includes rural neighbourhoods in and outside of Whitehorse, for the New Democrats since 2002.

Cardiff's death leaves NDP Leader Liz Hanson as the party's sole MLA in Yukon's legislative assembly.

Hanson, along withLiberal Leader Arthur Mitchell and Premier Darrell Pasloski of the Yukon Party attended Saturday's memorial service,.

Those who spoke at the ceremony described Cardiff as a family man, a good friend and a person who was fully committed to his beliefs.

"We were lucky to know him as a friend, a son, a father, a husband, a brother or an uncle," said Al Pope, theevent's master of ceremonies.

"The Yukon was lucky to have him as a tradesman, a public servant and a citizen."

Worked tirelessly in legislature

A Yukoner since 1976, Cardiff had worked as a sheet metal journeyman for 20 years before entering politics. He served for 16 years as local president of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.

Lois Moorcroft, who represented Mount Lorne for the NDP from 1992 to 2000, said Cardiff worked tirelessly as an MLA but never wavered in his support for former NDP leader Todd Hardy, who died of leukemia in July 2010.

"It's a measure of Steve's commitment and energy that he stood out as the most effective opposition member in the house, and still found time to be a good friend to Todd and [his wife] Louise right up until Todd's death last July," she said.

Last week,Moorcroft accepted the NDP's nominationin the new Copperbelt South riding, which includes part of Mount Lorne. Cardiff had planned to run in Mount Lorne Southern Lakes, another new riding.

Moorcroft said she and Cardiff had already started planning their election campaigns at the time of his death. Pasloski must call a territorial election before his party's mandate expires on Oct. 14.

Cardiff's death has had an impact on all Yukoners, Moorcroft said.

"All of our lives are poorer for it. He was a hard-working dedicated man doing what he loved, with conviction, to the end," she said. "It was a privilege to know him."