Owner: DevonRowcliffe.ca URL:http://ididntgetwhereiamtoday.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Sun, 03 Dec 2006 06:44:21 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Contemporary Canadian political issues, from a Green perspective. Analysis and perspective of ongoing topics from a Green Party member. Site statistics:Click here
University prof writing article about Green success 2006-12-02 15:32:00 Dr. Paul Nesbitt-Larking, a prof from Huron University
College at Western, is writing
a journal article about the Green
Party's recent success in the London-North-Centre (LNC) byelection. It will contain a statistical analysis of poll-by-poll results, as well as an overview of the factors contributing to the success of the Greens.As mentioned in an article in today's London Free Press, the Green Party made gains of between 30 and 40 per cent in some LNC polls since January's general election. Overall, the Green Party won 63 of the riding's 253 polls outright, and tied for the lead in three others. The majority of polls won by the Greens were previously held by the Liberals.From the London Free Press article:"It couldn't be clearer. There is a massive bleeding from all the old parties and enormous growth for the Greens," said Nesbitt-Larking.Nesbitt-Larking said he thinks all three major parties should be concerned about the rise of the Greens, none more than any other.He said t
A Green perspective - Martha Hall Findlay 2006-12-02 00:01:00 I was extremely impressed with Martha
Hall Findlay's speech at the Liberal leadership convention earlier this evening. She could use a little more polish (and a much better campaign team), but she is a very talented orator. I could easily see her becoming the Liberal Party's first female leader in the years to come.Her speech was clear, based upon several key themes (rather than Brison's "rambling discourse", as one CPAC commentator put it), and delivered with passion. Miles better than either Brison or Volpe... Read more:Green
Results of BC Green Party AGM election 2006-11-28 21:08:00 Here are the official election results, as announced at the British Columbia GreenParty
AGM on Sunday 26 November 2006 in Vancouver:Deputy Leader (vote by provincial council only)Angela ReidNew Directors at LargeRoy Ball - VancouverAngela Reid - KelownaRex Weyler - Cortes IslandSilvaine Zimmerman - Bowen IslandNew ChairsChair - Desmond Rodenbour - VancouverAdministration Chair - Tom Cornwall - North VancouverExternal Liaison - Peter Ronald - VancouverMembership - Kerrie Dickson - NelsonOmbudsperson (male) - Stuart MacKinnon - VancouverOrganizing Chair - Leanna Mitchell - North VancouverPolicy & Research - Thomas Bradfield - SaanichPublications - Dee Brennan - VancouverSecretary - Sven Biggs - GibsonsTreasurer -Roman Goldmann-VancouverVice Chair - Rex Weyler - Cortes Island During the main business of the meeting, party members refined policies and clarified positions on maintaining public healthcare, protection of workers rights and continuing to oppose the building of new pipelines Read more:Green Party
Green quote of the day 2006-11-28 20:26:00 "It's a shame that the Green
s didn't make history, turning Elizabeth May into the Deborah Gray of the Green movement, but the results remain a rap on the door of the mainstream parties. There's a new colour out there, and a vote for it is not a vote wasted."- James Bow (of well-known blog, "Bow. James Bow.")
Green blogger participates in latest Blogger Hotstove 2006-11-28 20:06:00 Mark Francis, aka The Sudden Sage, participated in the Sunday 26 November edition of The Blogger Hotstove, which can be downloaded here.The Bloggers Hotstove is a weekly audio panel show, in which bloggers representing various Canadian political parties (and occasionally party-neutral bloggers) debate topical issues in Canadian politics.Well done to Greg Staples, host of The Bloggers Hotstove, for including a Green
.The teaser for the current episode is as follows:"Well, what do you expect us to talk about this week? Plenty of talk about the "Quebecois is a nation with a united Canada" motion, a round on the fiscal update, and on how a government can do nothing and the Net Debt is eliminated, opening the constitution to limit federal spending in provincial jurisdiction, the by-election in London (with some wishful Green thinking) and one last kick at the Liberal leadership can."This week's panel includes James Bow, Jason Cherniak, and yet another rookie panelist Mark Francis."On an aud
CBC: Green party 'has arrived' 2006-11-28 19:42:00 Green party 'has arrived' after 2nd place finish in byelectionCBC News OnlineGreen Party Leader Elizabeth May sounded victorious Tuesday in announcing that her second-place finish in the federal byelection in London North Centre Monday had won the Green Party a place on Canada's political map. "We are electable. We have a full party. The Green Party really has arrived," she told CBC News early Tuesday. "We can be taken seriously as a credible political alternative."May won 26 per cent of the popular vote in the byelection, placing second behind Liberal Glen Pearson, who won the seat with nearly 35 per cent. But May beat Tory Dianne Haskett, the former London mayor, who took 24 per cent of the vote.May, a well-known environmental activist born in the U.S., said her strong showing is good news for the Greens because the party clearly increased its popular support from the last federal election.Read more here:http://tinyurl.com/uu86u Read more:Green
Elizabeth May campaign commercial on YouTube 2006-11-26 22:54:00 Elizabeth May has a campaign commercial up on YouTube
, which can be viewed by clicking "play" below, or by visiting the YouTube website.Please remember to vote tomorrow, regardless of your political stripe, if you live in London-North-Centre. Read more:Elizabeth
, Elizabeth May
Leaked poll: Liberals and Greens neck-and-neck in London 2006-11-26 19:49:00 An internal NDP straw poll on the London-North-Centre byelection apparently shows the Liberal Party in a narrow lead, with Green Party leader Elizabeth May closely trailing in second place. The Conservatives polled in third, and the NDP a distant fourth.If this is indeed true, Canada may be awarded with an historical result at the London ballot boxes tomorrow evening.Just how many NDPers, in light of the leaked poll, would consider voting Green, so as to prevent a Liberal candidate from winning? Or even more interesting, with the Conservatives seemingly out of the picture, how many "green Grits" would consider tipping the scales over towards Green Party leader Elizabeth May, and voting with their conscience? Knowing that Canada's greenhouse gas emissions rose by 44% during the 13+ years of Liberal government after Canada became a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, surely any potential future Liberal government would be best held to its promises if accompanied in the House by Green op Read more:Liberals
, Greens
May media medley! 2006-11-21 21:53:00 Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada and contestant in the London-North-Centre byelection, will be on the television and radio at least three times this evening.First, May will have an half-hour interview on CHRW 94.9 FM's Green World from 6:00-6:30pm ET, a 30-minute show that focuses on the environment and human rights. Will be interesting to see if the hosts press May for her views on Canada's relationship with China, and how she would have handled things differently than Stephen Harper. The program can be listened to online at http://chrwradio.com/listen/ , and repeats Wednesday morning at 6:00am.Second will be the all-candidates' debate, televised live on Rogers Television from 7:00-9:00pm ET, from the London City Press Club.Rogers teases the debate with the following blurb:Joe Fontana's step down from federal politics has left an open seat in the riding of London North Centre - who will fill that seat is now the big question for constituents to consider. On Tu Read more:media
, medley
Video: Canadians in Nairobi for Elizabeth May 2006-11-20 22:42:00 Canadians attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Nairobi
, Kenya, have made a video expressing their support for Elizabeth
May in her by-election campaign for London-North-Centre.Three Canadians appear on the YouTube-hosted clip.To watch the clip, press "play" below, or click here to go to the YouTube page. Read more:Elizabeth May
, Canadians
Raging Grannies demand BC legislature resumes fall sitting 2006-11-20 21:24:00 Perplexed by the BC government's decision to replace the provincial legislature
's fall sitting with a mere day of debates, the infamous BC Raging
Grannies will be making their presence felt at the legislature in Victoria this afternoon. The Grannies will be staging a singing protest at 2:00pm, and will sing "Gordie Boy" - a parody of the famous "Billy Boy" song. Full lyrics follow below.Whether or not you take the Raging Grannies seriously, one must wonder what sort of message is being sent out by the British Columbian government to replace an entire autumn sitting of the legislature with a single day of debate. There are numerous issues that require public debate - in particular, the new public-private partnerships board (Partnerships BC) which has assumed control of all municipal projects worth more than $20 million (I think that figure's right - quick to confirm it, but gave up after 10 failed Google minutes).Is parliamentary debate no longer necessary in Western democracy? I Read more:demand
, resumes
Vancouver Sun prints "Going Green" section 2006-11-19 23:31:00 The Vancouver
Sun's current weekend edition (Saturday 19 November) contains a 16-page section entitled "GoingGreen
". It touches on a host of environmental issues, including finance & growth, urban planning, energy, transport, waste disposal, shopping, food, etc.The section also features a host of local, innovative "green companies" that are pioneering the way towards what the Green Party calls a "green economy" - such as Victoria's Carmanah Technologies Inc., who are developing leading-edge solutions in LED lighting; and Vancouver's Paradigm Environmental Technologies, who won a BC Technology Industries award for its technology that enables sewage sludge to be converted into methane, which can then be used as an energy source.The Sun will publish a "Going Green
" section each quarter, the next being in February 2007. To reserve space, contact Bill Mullaly at bmullaly [at] png.canwest.com or phone 604-605-2665.The full list of article in this weekend's section is as such:How big i Read more:prints
"Viral" support campaign for Elizabeth May gains momentum 2006-11-19 21:53:00 A campaign to help support Elizabeth
May's contesting of the November 27th by-election for London-North-Centre has begun, in which supporters post photographs of themselves holding signs supporting May.The campaign has already spreadly rapidly, or "virally", as the campaigns as referred to by the marketing industry, across the internet, and have appeared on numerous websites and blogs.The ideas was spawned from the American book, Sorry Everybody, a collection of photographs of liberal Americans apologizing on behalf of their country to the rest of the world for putting George W. Bush into the White House.Photographs from May supporters from across Canada have already appeared on various internet sites, and are increasing by the day.A small collection of such photographs of Elizabeth May supporters can be found on her blog. Green Party supporters are encouraged to make their own photographs, and submit them to the Elizabeth May campaign. Read more:Viral
, gains
, momentum
Garth Turner joins Green Party byelection campaign 2006-11-14 21:31:00 Maverick (or should I say, "Progressive Conservative") MP GarthTurner
has announced that he "...will campaign for GreenParty
Leader Elizabeth May in a byelection in London, Ont.", according to the CBC.Garth held a press conference earlier today, in which he formally quit the "hats and horses" (aka Reform/Alliance) party, and provided evidence that what was once the most grassroots of all federal parties has become the most elitist party in the history of Canada, ignoring the decision of local electoral district associations in favour of the dictates of party strategists.Garth clarified false rumours that he would become the first Green MP by joining Canada's hottest new political party, and instead wants the Greens to elect their first MP by their own merit - in the form of Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May, who is competing in the London-North-Centre by-election.With all of the mudslinging going on amongst the old-line parties, and given the innovative and positive policie Read more:Garth Turner
Tory public transit priorities are all wrong 2006-11-14 20:17:00 Funding for public transportation is woefully inadequate here in Canada. Outside of our major cities (and even in the suburbs of our largest cities), public transport does not receive enough funding.So when Stephen Harper pledged $37 million today towards public transit (part of a $80 million promise back in June), one would think that people of "non-blue" political stripes would be heaping praise on the Tories.Sadly, there is little to praise Harper about. All of the funding is to go to transport security. Not better quality public transport. Not more quantiful or convenient public transport. But "higher security" public transport.Stop me if I'm alone here, but this is the most ridiculous and unnecessary waste of money from a government supposedly obsessed with stopping government wastage.We don't have armed military on every Canadian street corner. Nor do we have CCTV installed in every nook and cranny of our cities, as the British do. So why spend so much money making publi Read more:priorities
New Elizabeth May policy clips on YouTube 2006-11-13 20:57:00 Forget the media spin - hear directly from a candidate as to where she stands on the issues.Elizabeth
May wants to be the Member of Parliament for London-North-Centre, and is competing in the federal by-election on November 27.The following are four policy video clips, hosted on YouTube
:Post-Secondary EducationTax ShiftingChanging the Climate in ParliamentKyoto and Jobs - the Convenient Truth
State Funeral petition reaches 50,000 signatures 2006-11-11 05:15:00 The Dominion Institute's online petition
calling for a future state funeral to commemorate the eventual passing of Canada's last First World War veteran resident in Canada has reached its goal of 50,000 signatures.An online CBC News story was posted early on Friday, and the resulting publicity helped give the petition its final few thousand signatures by late Friday / early Saturday.619,636 Canadians served in the First World War, and only three are still alive: Percy Dwight Wilson, 105, and Lloyd Clemett and John Babcock, both 106. Read more:State
, Funeral
Green deputy appointed by Tories to National Roundtable on Environment and the Economy 2006-11-11 03:25:00 David Chernushenko, the senior deputy
to the leader of the Green
Party, has been named to the NationalRoundtable
on Environment
and the Economy, a panel that advises the federal government on environmental policy.A written statement from Conservative environment minister Rona Ambrose stated:"With their knowledge and experience, Mr. Chernushenko, Mr. Haig and Dr. Jaccard, will be able to examine the environmental and economic implications of issues brought to the NRTEE and offer judicious advice on how to reconcile these often competing interests with a view to moving society towards a cleaner and healthier Canada."CTV seems to think that it is an attempt by the Conservative government to show that they are consulting across partisan lines:"The move is seen as an attempt by the Tories
to deflect some criticism over their handling of the environment file.By reaching across party lines, the Conservatives can claim that they are seeking out all viewpoints and policy advice to cut down on Read more:appointed
Green Party announces Shadow Cabinet 2006-11-10 04:58:00 The GreenParty
of Canada today announced its new ShadowCabinet
, comprising of 34 posts.Think you know the Green Party
? Take another look. The new cabinet includes Mark Taylor - an Albertan engineer in the oil and gas sector - as portfolio holder for Energy Policy.The full list of Shadow Cabinet positions is available here.As with most Green Party procedures, policies are created in a "bottom-up" or "grassroots" method. In plain English, that means that policies are open to debate and majority consensus, rather than dictated by a select group of party strategists.If you would like to play a role in such Green policy formation, consider joining an issue caucus! Each shadow minister will be compiling a group of volunteers to help conduct research policy ideas, communicate with Green Party members and create dialogue with the general public. If you would like to get involved, please contact the relevant shadow minister directly (contact info should be available here in the near futu
Elizabeth May in House of Commons Committee, will discuss Tory muzzling on CPAC tonight 2006-11-10 02:18:00 Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth
May, who is running in the London-North-Centre by-election, took part in the House
of Commons
' Environment and Sustainable Development Committee
this morning.She will be appear on the CPAC French-language program Revue Politique tonight at 10pm ET / 7pm PT, where she will discuss
her appearance, and will talk about the independence of the Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner.May held a press conference immediately after this morning's committee meeting, in which she accused the Conservative government of muzzling the federal environment commissioner, Johanne Gelinas. Auditor General Sheila Fraser's office acknowledged Thursday that it is reviewing whether Environment Commissioner Johanne Gelinas will continue to issue independent reports. Read more:Elizabeth May
59 Green Party candidates elected in US elections 2006-11-09 17:32:00 The GreenParty
of the United States made major gains in Tuesday's US elections, with 59 Green candidates elected to public office across all ends of the country - including the new mayor of Richmond, California.Other highlights included:Rich Whitney received 11% in his run for Illinois Governor (despite incumbant Gov. Rod Blagojevich spending $800,000 in taxpayers' money trying to keep Greens off the state ballot).Pat LaMarche, running on a strong universal health care platform, drew nearly 10% in her campaign for Governor of Maine.Joyce Robinson-Paul received 14,109 votes for 14.7% (second place) in her race for D.C.'s U.S. Senate seat.Green candidate Tom Kelly, running for the U.S. House in Colorado's District 1, received 25,096 votes for 21%.Also in California, incumbent City Council member Larry Robinson was reelected in Sebastopol, retaining the Council's Green majority, in place since 2000.The Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party needed 3% in a statewide vote to maintain ballo Read more:Green Party
A response to Olaf's "Students should pay for university" 2006-12-04 22:02:00 Olaf of The Prairie Wranglers yesterday posted a piece entitled, "Random Debate: Students should pay for university". In it, he argues against free and universal tuition - using statistics to argue that higher tuition in Canada isn't causing university to become the exclusive domain of the rich, and that free tuition is basicly a socialist aberration that stems from greedy people.I actually enjoyed the piece, and take pleasure from reading the opinions and arguments of people from different points of view. So much more interesting than simply reading the blogs exclusively of one's own partisan stripe, which many bloggers have referred to as "singing among the choir".But I don't agree with several points made my Olaf, and my response follows.Well done to Olaf for encouraging bloggers with other points of view to respond and engage in debate. The blogosphere needs much more of it - and more bloggers like Olaf.---You referred to statistics (without citing a source) that suggested t
Harper's SSM motion designed to fail, appease rednecks and centrists 2006-12-09 11:36:00 175-123: the Conservative minority government's motion on same-sex marriage motion was defeated in Parliament on Thursday. A victory for all progressives. The regressive beliefs of Harper
and his cronies publicly and officially defeated. And end to a dark chapter in 21st century Canadian politics. Hooray.But is the self-congratulation amongst progressives a moot point? Did Stephen Harper not only expect the motion to be defeated, but actually want it defeated?Vijay Sappani argues in a recent blog article that Harper knew the motion would fail, but still tabled the motion, in order to keep his promise from January's general election campaign. Sappani assumes that Harper genuinely wanted the motion to pass, and that if his Conservatives procure a majority after the next election, that we should expect Harper to reopen this issue yet again:"While many think the SSM debate is over and closed, it will come back from the grave (if and) when Harper wins a majority, when he has enough Read more:designed
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