Steven Roy Cardiff (1957 - 2011)

Steve Cardiff was born in Port Alberni, British Columbia. He moved to the Yukon in 1976 and spent more than twenty years as a sheet metal journeyman. He understood the need for jobs and a good quality of life and also believed that sustainable development did not need to compromise the planet.¹⁾ He was the local president of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters for sixteen years and spent almost ten years on the Yukon College Board of Governors, serving as its chair for three years.²⁾ Steve was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the 2002 general election and was re-elected in the 2006 general election with convincing wins both times.³⁾ When Helen Hollywood camped on the lawn of the legislature to protest the lack of affordable housing, Cardiff brought her a tarp and foam mats that first night and helped her put up the tarp in the rain. He gave her a telephone so she could call if she needed help. He never looked for fanfare or political gain.⁴⁾

Cardiff represented the electoral district of Mount Lorne and was an active member of the Mount Lorne Community Association. He declared his candidacy for the leadership of the New Democrats in February 2009 but later withdraw for unspecified reasons. Cardiff was killed in a two-car road accident on the South Klondike Highway.⁵⁾ Cold Climate Innovation and several community partners helped to build a tiny house for Blood Ties Four Directions clients needing supportive living. The Steve Cardiff Tiny House was named to honour the late member of the Yukon legislature.⁶⁾