Mark Eyking

Liberal MP Mark Eyking was a farmer for over 20 years before he decided to run for office. One of ten children born to Dutch immigrants who settled in Cape Breton following the war, Mark's attachment to the land began at an early age and by the time he was twenty-one he grew the farm from 70 acres to 400, growing vegetables such as broccoli and lettuce for markets as far afield as the United State. Mark's passion continues to this day where he thinks nothing of getting up at 6 am and working his small vegetable plot on his property. In 2000 after Mark's work as a farming activist drew attention from then Finance Minister Paul Martin, he decided to run and won a 5,000 vote majority over NDP incumbent Peter Mancini. Mark and his wife Pam have 4 children. Catherine Clark spoke to Liberal MP Mark Eyking about his life Beyond Politics.