Thank you to all of you that supported David Orchard in his attempt to seek the nomination in Desenthe-Missinippi-Churchill River. The letters, emails and phone calls in support of an open nomination were astounding.
I am at a total loss for words. The appointment of an NDP MLA over two solid Liberals in this Northern Saskatchewan riding defies all credible logic. Keep in mind the NDP in the last federal election finished 6500 votes behind the Liberals and Conservatives in DMCR. I guess, as a party, we are content to own one seat in the Province of Saskatchewan perpetually.
Rumour has it many Native Leaders (Chiefs) will be expressing their immediate displeasure with the Liberal Party of Canada. I trust the national media will cease on this in a negative light.
I'm at a loss. A total loss. Lost is what I am.
The Official Media Release is below. Feel free to write the leader and express your displeasure.
Date: January 3, 2008
For release: Immediate
Liberal Party of Canada Announces Joan Beatty as Candidate
OTTAWA - Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion today announced that Joan Beatty, former Saskatchewan NDP cabinet minister and Aboriginal activist, will be the Party's candidate in the riding of Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River in the upcoming federal by-election.
“Joan Beatty brings to the Liberal Party of Canada a strong mix of local knowledge, Aboriginal expertise, political experience and a tradition of service to the people of Saskatchewan,” said Mr. Dion.
“I am confident that her passion for her home-riding of Desnethé-Missinippi Churchill River, coupled with her passion for her province and country, will make her a strong Member of Parliament and I am so pleased to welcome her to our Caucus.”
Ms. Beatty said her continued desire to make a positive change for the north, together with the best possible way to serve the people of northern Saskatchewan, has resulted in her accepting Mr. Dion’s invitation to join the Liberal Party of Canada.
“Under Mr. Dion’s leadership, I believe that I can best represent the constituency at this level, in particular, the First Nations communities where the need is so great. For me, at the end of the day, it’s about being practical. I am proud to announce my candidacy in the federal riding of Desnethé-Missinippi Churchill River and continuing to fight for a richer, fairer and greener Canada,” said Ms. Beatty, who is currently a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.
“This is a diverse riding with significant First Nations, Métis, and farming communities. Having been born and raised in the riding, along with my professional and personal experience,I have had the opportunity to see first hand the issues faced by northerners, and I look forward to taking those concerns to Ottawa and pushing for solutions.”
In 2003, Ms. Beatty became the first Aboriginal woman and First Nations person to be elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature. Shortly thereafter, she became the first Aboriginal woman and First Nations person to be appointed to cabinet as Minister of Culture Youth and Recreation and Provincial Secretary.
In 2006, she became Minister of Northern Affairs and the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. Until recently she served as the critic responsible for Women’s Issues and Northern Affairs.
First MacKay. Now the Liberal Party. David, I don't know what to say.
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11 comments:
Really sad to hear it. Any chance of winning another nomination elsewhere?
I'm floored. David could win pretty much anywhere. He would have won a nomination in DMCR. The mission was to let the riding decide.
This is a fatal mistake.
Rumour is they asked him to run in BC. David is capable of starting his own Party. He chose to be in ours.
Orchard was a pain in the butt with the former Progressive Conservative establishment; he is a pain in the butt with the Liberal establishment. He is a man who likes to bang on his own drum. Why would any leader want to put up with Orchard? It's better to get rid of Orchard now than have to deal with him during an election campaign.
I also don't think even the NDP or Green Party would want Orchard either.
He might take advantage of our freedom of expression, but he has been ahead of the curve on the environment as well as (the emerging debate over) NAFTA. All the while, he has expressed himself reasonably, thoughtfully, and with dignity.
I hardly believe that being ahead of the curve on these and other issues qualifies Mr. Orchard as a loony who merely bangs his own drum. To the contrary, it's a good thing he has one.
You may be announcing The End a little precipitously, James. And if the Leader is making a poor decision shouldn't he be encouraged with even more vigour to reconsider?
Skinny dipper, do you know anything at all? David Orchard told the PC Party what they were not prepared, or not ready, or too stupid to hear -- that their party was going to be dismantled and annihilated by the Alliance people. And then it was. Voila.
Thank goodness Dion made the right decision and appointed a strong candidate who will win the riding for us. I hope Orchard stays in the Liberal Party but if he doesn't that's his choice and I guess he still has the Bloc and NDP he could join...
Whooee! Same old, same old. After the way the Grits treated you, JimmyC, I can't see why yer stickin' with 'em. There's a fresh, new option if yer fed up with polyticks-as-usual. Have a close look at the gal I adore, Earth Mother Lizzie May, and our merry band of treehuggin' granola munchers. The GPC is lookin' like the best alternative to old-line tweedle-dee, tweedle-dum partisanship.
JB
Your words sound heartfelt - but honestly man - your supporting the Liberals no less.
What in the heck did you expect??!?
The Condervatives pull the same crap - in the same undemocratic fashion.
Complaining, writing letters, phoning rifing associations, it's all nonsense.
Some fixer will thwart democracy, and you'll just nod your head, and donate another $100 next month.
Just lay back, get out your wallet, and take it silently.
The Party wants it that way lemming.
Keep in mind that the CPoC pays for people to step down, as the successful lawsuits in Calgary and Ottawa prove. i.e. they pay for their appointees.
In Orchard's and the LPoC case, I would expect Dion to remember and be loyal in an appropriate way. That may yet happen. Dion seems like a sensible man so give it time for something better to happen.
As a person with some aboriginal ancestry, I was asked to get involved. I did not as both candidates were from a community I support. It would have taken a direct call from either candidate for me to get involved. I will support my community(ies).
Nevertheless, I expect Dion to honour those that honour him... even if today is not the right time.
James, you did a good job for Mr. Orchard and should be proud of the way you supported your candidate.
Cheers,
Coffee (aka walks)
The most read letter writer in the country and product manager with over 25 million users.
The text below constitutes the bulk an email sent to Stephan Dion.
Dear Mr. Dion,
I too am one of those who took out a Liberal Party membership to support you in the recent leadership convention at David Orchard's urging. I have since been able to argue with my NDP acquaintances that they can no longer claim that the there is no difference between the Liberals and the Con's at the Federal level. Stephan Dion is not owned or controlled by any of the existing political machines. He represents a real alternative - as well as the only viable alternative - to Steven Harper and the Reform/Conservative party.
Now, with your imposition of a "parachute" candidate into the riding of Desnethé Missinippi-Churchill River in what appears to be a pathetic "cave in" to Liberal party brass that, among other things, are still looking to remove you from the leader's position, it is very difficult for me to carry that argument. If you persist in this foolishness you will certainly end up as one of history's "alsorans".
You have yet to learn the first rule of politics "Reward your friends and punish (or at least don't feed) your enemies". Remember that your enemies in the top circles of the Liberal Party of Canada are still legion. The bottom block is that, no matter how attractive this ex NDP candidate looks, David Orchard is the only one who has really "stood up for Canada" with all his resources and all his skills consistently since 1988 and before. He also seems to be the only potential candidate who can really speak for this riding.
Mr. Dion, if you persist in this foolishness you doom your own leadership along with the possibility of a genuine revival of the Liberal Party of Canada at this time. You have demonstrated so far that you don't know the basics of politics and that without 'ti Jean C. you are hopelessly lost.
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