The many careers of Durham MP Bev Oda

SCUGOG -- I recently had the pleasure of attending a Chamber of Commerce dinner in Port Perry where the guest speaker was Bev Oda, Member of Parliament for Durham Region. Although she spoke with conviction the thing that amazed me the most was that she had returned from Afghanistan that same day. I have done a great deal of travelling, but I doubt I could stand in front of 150 people while in the midst of a 10 hour jet lag.

I am always intrigued as to how people get to where they are and was curious about this five foot four politician who seemed to have more drive than the average twenty year old.

"I was the first Oriental baby born in Thunder Bay," she said, with pride. At the turn of the last century Bev's grandparents left Japan for the prosperity of Vancouver and opened a boarding house. Not speaking any English the duties of accounting and translation fell on Bev's mother, who was twelve at the time. "Sailors would have coupons for accommodation and my mother would organise their stay."

After the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour, prominent British Columbians, including members of municipal government offices, local newspapers and businesses called for the internment of the Japanese. In British Columbia, there were fears that some Japanese who worked in the fishing industry were charting the coastline for the Japanese navy, acting as spies on Canada's military.

Bev's parents and grandparents were among these. The government of the day moved all Japanese families into mining camps across Canada. They confiscated the family's twenty-two room boarding house and paid them a mere $700.

When Bev was born, the family had reunited and lived in Kensington Market. It wasn't long after that they moved to Etobicoke and then Clarkson where Bev attended Lorne Park Secondary School. I asked her if she had any part-time jobs during school. "I always had at least three jobs at the same time," she said, smiling. Her father would drop her off at a drycleaners where she worked part-time. After school Bev was a playground supervisor and had summer jobs at the CNE working for the province's tourism bureau.

One summer Bev's mother, who worked at the Post Office, wanted her to start a part-time job there. When Bev refused, her mom said she could baby sit her three younger siblings all summer instead.

When it was time for Bev to attend post-secondary school she wanted to study art. Her mother insisted she attend university and Bev, after declining medical school, opted for English and Psychology, followed by Teacher's College and a six year stint as a teacher in Mississauga.

Bev was asked to take the role of Vice Principal, but decided that she could do more good in the classroom rather than in an administrative position. She decided to work one more year, save her money and see what other opportunities presented themselves.

Her first non-teaching position was in the hospitality industry with Sheraton Resorts. That was not at all appealing and Bev moved to a spot with TVO liaising between the station and education.

From there she moved to Rogers as a video tape librarian. "After hours I would hang around the studio," Bev explained. "When a director asked who could work overtime I put up my hand." I operated cameras, used editing equipment and anything they would let me do." This led to a position in production and eventually to becoming a Vice President of Programming.

Bev's career kept her in the television production industry securing a senior programming position at CITY TV. "I was fortunate to have been given the task of starting multicultural programming at CITY," Bev said. "It was a new area for Toronto and opened up many doors for me." She continued her career at OMNI (Channel 47 at the time) and Global, where she produced the long running lottery programs, among others.

After many years with the networks Bev decided to freelance as a producer. She did well and in 1987 her experience led her to a position with the CRTC as an advisor to David Crombie.

After a year of Chairing the Harold Greenberg fund (non-profit private fund to support the development of film and made-for-pay-TV productions), Bev returned to the networks and became a Senior Vice President of Programming with CTV.

When the network was taken over by Bell Globe Media, Bev decided it was time to retire. Her husband and friend, CBC's Don McPherson, had recently passed away and a change was necessary.

Bev spent retirement at her century home in Orono with her dogs. She became involved in local causes, such as the environment and the Durham Foundation and was then appointed Chair of Lakeridge Health. Janet Ecker asked Bev to head up a committee which revamped the standards of education.

Politics was a natural for this well spoken, worldly woman and when friends suggested she run as Member of Parliament in 2004 she was hesitant. Finally Bev agreed and the rest is history. Having recently been re-elected for a third term, Bev Oda is making positive changes in our government. When she was Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of women she improved conditions immensely.

"I would go to a city like Thunder Bay and ask to see women that were helped as a result of the programs in place. I was given the run-around and realised there was too much bureaucracy. I changed all that by cutting back on administration and adding additional funds. Now when I visit shelters I actually see the good we have done." I could sense the pride in her voice as she spoke.

Seldom do we see politicians with this much compassion and drive to change things for the better. Regardless of your political views, Bev Oda has been a great benefit to the Region of Durham.

Author and Photographer Jonathan van Bilsen can be reached at jvb@fotografix.ca