Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Dear John
We still remember that you and Bobby were the catalyst.
Our greatest hope is within the next 12 years there is another Kennedy in the Big White House.
Our greatest hope is within the next 12 years there is another Kennedy in the Big White House.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
It's Amazing What A Little Bit of Good Hair Will Do for a Political Party
Below, my pal Justin talks about his hair at a Burlington rally.
Today, Nik Nanos releases a startling poll showing the Liberals surging past the NDP. Coincidence? I think not.
If political parties were like stocks, today would be an excellent day to invest in the Liberal Party. Donate right here.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Trudeaumania Begins Today
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
FINALLY! THE NEXT TRUDEAU!
Long awaited. Much anticipated. I will be supporting him...as all of you already knew.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Martha Hall Findlay Sure Does Have Some Stones
WTH!
Like a drunken friend once pleaded: "help me pay my bar tab off...... so I can start a new one".
Are you kidding me? Here's her letter.
Like a drunken friend once pleaded: "help me pay my bar tab off...... so I can start a new one".
Are you kidding me? Here's her letter.
Not Left, Not Right - Forward
Dear friend,
I hope you've had a great summer.
I'm writing to you because you contributed to one or more candidates for the 2006 Liberal leadership campaign.
I was not, at the time, one of the ones you supported, but I'm asking for your help now.
As you may know, I am considering running for the Liberal Leadership again. However, because of the difficult leadership fundraising rules (details below), I still have some campaign debt, and I do not feel that I should run until that debt is gone. For me to able to run, I'm asking you now to contribute what you can.
The rules allow a maximum of $1,100, so you can contribute the difference between that and what you contributed before. If you are not sure how much that is, please send us a note at info@marthahallfindlay.ca and we'll confirm for you. In any case, whatever you donate now, if it is more than your allowable limit, only the smaller amount will be accepted, so please don't hesitate -- please donate now by clicking here. Every contribution will help. Also, the contribution limits are per person, so please persuade anyone in your family or circle of friends and colleagues to contribute. If you prefer, you can send a cheque to: "LPC for Martha Hall Findlay" to PO Box 69522, 5845 Yonge Street, Willowdale, Ontario M2M 4K3. If you can help, please do so right away, as time is of the essence.
Although the limit does not refresh each year, the generous tax credits do. The first $400 this year gets a 75% credit, so it only costs $100; the next $350 gets 50%, so a $750 contribution only costs $275; and the next $350 gets 33.3% -- a full $1,100 contribution only costs $508.33.
A lot has changed since 2006 -- I was elected twice and held four different shadow cabinet positions (Associate Finance; Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; Public Works and Government Services; and International Trade). I worked hard for my riding, for the Party and for the country. Unfortunately, the Liberal Party's fortunes have fallen dramatically, and significant change is needed. I hope to be a part of that.
The financial challenge comes from the tough new legislation on maximum donations to leadership campaigns. Unlike the limits for all other political donations which re-start every January 1, my campaign cannot accept a donation from anyone who already contributed the maximum, in the aggregate across all candidates, and regardless of when that contribution was made, all the way back to 2006. Many have tried, generously, to contribute again, but having reached their maximum, are unable to -- it is extremely frustrating sending cheques back.
Much is at stake for Canada's future, and I know I have much more to contribute. I ask for your help right now so that I can.
Thank you so much in advance,
Martha Hall Findlay
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Liberal Leadership April 14, 2013 in Ottawa
Yes. My buddy Justin will be running. Yes he will win.
Yes Martha will be running too. She can't help herself. Maybe someone can talk her out of it. Doubt it though. Oh well.
Yes Martha will be running too. She can't help herself. Maybe someone can talk her out of it. Doubt it though. Oh well.
Ontario By-Election Predictions for Today
Today is the beginning of the end of Tim Hudak's leadership experiment. Today, Tim Whodat will lose not one, but two by-elections.
In Vaughan, the Liberals and Steven Del Duca will be victorious. Unfortunately, for Dalton McGuinty and his desire for a majority, Kitchener will go Orange. Yes, I'm predicting, of all things, an NDP victory in K-W.
Just sayin'.
In Vaughan, the Liberals and Steven Del Duca will be victorious. Unfortunately, for Dalton McGuinty and his desire for a majority, Kitchener will go Orange. Yes, I'm predicting, of all things, an NDP victory in K-W.
Just sayin'.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Government of Canada is officially called "The Harper Government"
Right here live on the Canada Revenue Agency's Official Website under the press releases. See the press releases here, here and here. It appears to be a new name as of August 1st. I guess that makes all Canadians officially Harperites.
Monday, July 9, 2012
You Shall Be Missed, My Friend
Frank Sr. Aceti
ACETI, Frank Sr. - Passed away peacefully with his loving family at his side, at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Friday July 6, 2012 at the age of 60. Beloved son of Ormano and the late Maria Aceti (2010). Dearly loved father of Frank Jr. (Genevieve) and MaryAnn Aceti (Ryan). He was a very special and devoted Nonno to Frankie who brought him so much happiness. Dear brother-in-law of Rita Aceti and uncle to Andrea (Bruno) Stranges and Julia Aceti. Predeceased by his brother Michael (1998). Frank was a well known local realtor for 32 years and he will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. Friends are invited to call at the PATTERSON FUNERAL HOME, 6062 Main St. visiting Monday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Scapular Church. The Rite of Committal will follow at Fairview Cemetery. The Vigil for Frank will be celebrated Monday at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In memory of Frank donations to Tender Wishes would be appreciated by his family. On-line condolences at www.pattersonfuneralhome.com.
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Monday, June 18, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Bob's no Liar
Press conference to follow! http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2012/06/13/pol-liberal-conference-call-wednesday-rae.html
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Rae Allowed to Run
Like we didn't already know he was a truth stretching sack of dung.
CBC is reporting that the Liberal Executive (thanks for your leadership Mike Crawley) will, indeed, announce Unlce Bobby will be allowed to abuse his position, oops, I mean allowed to run for leadership. Yay.
CBC is reporting that the Liberal Executive (thanks for your leadership Mike Crawley) will, indeed, announce Unlce Bobby will be allowed to abuse his position, oops, I mean allowed to run for leadership. Yay.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Allan Harding MacKay - New Canadian Hero
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) Should be Shut Down
It's a closed shop.
How can we call the Conservatives crooked when we can't even abide by our own rules. Its current Management Committee has violated its own Constitution by not calling a timely AGM. Not just once either. They've done it twice. In fact, dear friends, over the last 5 years we've only had 2 AGMs. It puts a whole new definition to Annual General Meeting doesn't it?
They've ignored term limits of officers. And, now, they've allowed an acclamation of a Regional President of a region that nobody knew was up for election because the current President just became the newly acclaimed VP of Communication. Yes, Jason Cherniak, the great communicator. To be fair to Jason though, nobody heard from the outgoing VP communication since her election in 2006. That's right, I said 2006. Six years later her position was up for election.
Here's what the notice of AGM says. Yes, I've copied it in case it disappears from the LPC(O) website. Can you tell me where it says the Central Region is up for re-election? Anyone? It doesn't. Yet there's an acclamation onto the Management Committee. What a crock.
How can we call the Conservatives crooked when we can't even abide by our own rules. Its current Management Committee has violated its own Constitution by not calling a timely AGM. Not just once either. They've done it twice. In fact, dear friends, over the last 5 years we've only had 2 AGMs. It puts a whole new definition to Annual General Meeting doesn't it?
They've ignored term limits of officers. And, now, they've allowed an acclamation of a Regional President of a region that nobody knew was up for election because the current President just became the newly acclaimed VP of Communication. Yes, Jason Cherniak, the great communicator. To be fair to Jason though, nobody heard from the outgoing VP communication since her election in 2006. That's right, I said 2006. Six years later her position was up for election.
Here's what the notice of AGM says. Yes, I've copied it in case it disappears from the LPC(O) website. Can you tell me where it says the Central Region is up for re-election? Anyone? It doesn't. Yet there's an acclamation onto the Management Committee. What a crock.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
In accordance with the LPC(O) Constitution, Article VII, Section 9, the following positions shall be elected for a two year term at the 2012 LPC(O) Annual General Meeting:
Officer Positions
Executive Vice President
Secretary
Vice-President Policy
Vice- President Communications
Regional Positions
Toronto
Eastern
Eastern
Golden Horseshoe
The following positions shall be elected for a one year term at the 2012 LPC(O) Annual General Meeting:
Regional Positions
18 Area Directors (3 per region)
Nominations must be received at the LPC(O) office, by mail or in person to: 10 St. Mary Street,
Suite 205, Toronto, ON M4Y 1P9 or by FAX (416) 921 – 3880 or by email to admin@lpco.ca
no later than 5:00 p.m. , Wednesday April 4
th
, 2012.
For Further Information, please contact the delegation Secretary
Judi Longfield. Executive Director
(416) 921 2844 ext. 301 email: judi.longfield@lpco.ca
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Peter Mackay is a LLPOF
You be the judge. Mackay then and now.
We always knew this F-35 thing was a sham.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Don Cherry: More Disgusting Than his Normal Self
Only Don Cherry can take an easy Vimy Ridge tribute and make it disgustingly political. Never mind his shots at Crosby. How about saying "and I know the lefties don't like that" when speaking of honouring our brave Vimy troops. What an ass.
Tell me dear lefties, is it true? Do none of you like us honouring our Vimy Ridge moment? Did none of your family members ever serve in our armed forces?
Click on the Coach's Corner video here. It's about 28 seconds in.
Tell me dear lefties, is it true? Do none of you like us honouring our Vimy Ridge moment? Did none of your family members ever serve in our armed forces?
Click on the Coach's Corner video here. It's about 28 seconds in.
Monday, April 2, 2012
For Those of You Telling me The Ref Shouldn't Have Stopped the Fight
It wasn't going to get any better for Brazeau.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
And This is What my Buddy Justin Will Do to Conservatives...
...when he becomes leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Knock out Conservatives everywhere! And that's no joke!
It's time for generational change in the Liberal Party. For me? Justin's the guy. Enough said.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Welcome to the Paul Martin Years - Kinsella's Right
As I've said before, Warren Kinsella has no reason to lie. So, when he writes Bob Rae walked into a room and said "I'm running for leader", he is writing the truth.
Mr. Rae will be largely led to the convention by none other than the scorched earth Team Martin from 2003 - 2004 aided by the scorched earth, vote for us or your career is over, Iggy Nation. To hell with the Liberal Constitution. To hell with a solemn promise Rae WOULDN'T run for leader. To hell with any rules whatsoever.
Let the Shenanigans begin. Good luck Team Liberal Renewal in defeating these power hungry placeholder parasites.
Mr. Rae will be largely led to the convention by none other than the scorched earth Team Martin from 2003 - 2004 aided by the scorched earth, vote for us or your career is over, Iggy Nation. To hell with the Liberal Constitution. To hell with a solemn promise Rae WOULDN'T run for leader. To hell with any rules whatsoever.
Let the Shenanigans begin. Good luck Team Liberal Renewal in defeating these power hungry placeholder parasites.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Conservatives Reveal Bob Rae's Plan
http://www.conservative.ca/press/news_releases/bob_rae_wants_to_be_prime_minister Expect more of this over the next year. Lots more.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
My Bet is Del Mastro Will Disappear Soon
Perhaps there will be a new talking head next week. Baird maybe? The current talking head makes my front door knob look highly intelligent.
Del Mastro again denied accusations from opposition parties that his party engaged in a voter suppression campaign, but told host Evan Solomon it appears that "what went wrong in Guelph was in fact untoward, it was intentional."
"The allegations of what happened there [in Guelph] are serious. There seems to be an awful lot of evidence that people received these misleading calls," said Del Mastro.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Which Liberal Candidate Will be the First to File?
Section 524 of the Canada Elections Act:
524. (1) Any elector who was eligible to vote in an electoral district, and any candidate in an electoral district, may, by application to a competent court, contest the election in that electoral district on the grounds that
(a) under section 65 the elected candidate was not eligible to be a candidate; or
(b) there were irregularities, fraud or corrupt or illegal practices that affected the result of the election.
524. (1) Any elector who was eligible to vote in an electoral district, and any candidate in an electoral district, may, by application to a competent court, contest the election in that electoral district on the grounds that
(a) under section 65 the elected candidate was not eligible to be a candidate; or
(b) there were irregularities, fraud or corrupt or illegal practices that affected the result of the election.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Conservative Candidate? Check. NDP Candidate? Check! Liberal Candidate? What? There's an election?
Why be prepared when you can just wing it. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/02/05/layton-riding-byelection.html
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Happy Anniversary Liberal Party of Canada
I remember that day as if it was just yesterday.
Started in the morning in Niagara Falls at the Burroughs campaign. Hit the Valeri campaign in Stoney Creek in the afternoon. Headed over to the Powers campaign in the late afternoon and evening and counted ballots in Freelton. Yes I said Freelton. As the results poured in we headed down the highway over to the Queensway to celebrate one victory. Ignatieff's!
When the result of the election became apparent as the evening progressed there was one thing I heard from Liberals from every corner of the province and from coast to coast as I fielded and made calls:
"We'll be back in a year!"
Well folks. It's 6 years later and we still haven't figured out what we stand for other than we are the best alternative (even though voters denied that too in May) and we are the natural governing party. Oh, and we like pot.
Started in the morning in Niagara Falls at the Burroughs campaign. Hit the Valeri campaign in Stoney Creek in the afternoon. Headed over to the Powers campaign in the late afternoon and evening and counted ballots in Freelton. Yes I said Freelton. As the results poured in we headed down the highway over to the Queensway to celebrate one victory. Ignatieff's!
When the result of the election became apparent as the evening progressed there was one thing I heard from Liberals from every corner of the province and from coast to coast as I fielded and made calls:
"We'll be back in a year!"
Well folks. It's 6 years later and we still haven't figured out what we stand for other than we are the best alternative (even though voters denied that too in May) and we are the natural governing party. Oh, and we like pot.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The First Person to Officially Announce for Liberal Leadership is...
...Scott Yee! Eat your heart out Bob Rae. Scott beat you to it.
Here's his presser:
While Mr. Yee names all the parties that he has belonged to, I think his memory of events may be "selective". He failed to mention that he ran for the Marijuana Party in 2004 in the Danforth. Didn't see that party in the list of the many he's belonged to.
Here's a heads up Mr. Yee - I don't think the use of the Liberal logo is allowed on your leadership page. Just sayin'.
Here's his presser:
Message flagged Friday, January 20, 2012 4:00:04 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1:00 A.M. PST, January 20, 2012
SCOTT YEE ANNOUNCES HIS BID FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA
VANCOUVER - 29 year old Scott Yee announces his plans to seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, with his top 20 campaign ideas that Yee says will transform Canada forever.
One of Yee's top priorities is Monetary & Taxation Reform. Yee wants to end the debt-based monetary system, which makes up 95% of the Canadian economy, and is created by the banking system through the personal debt of Canadians, and instead increase the % of the money supply created by the government through a population-based system to fund all levels of government, therefore eliminating the taxation system.
As this would pump $816 billion into the Canadian economy, the fractional-reserve system will be reinstated, and the reserve ratio is to be set at the required % to equal $816 billion, therefore currency levels will stay the same.
This means the Government of Canada will no longer have to pay interest to create it's own money, and having a permanent money supply will make government spending recession proof.
Because there will no longer be any sales taxation, the penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and half-dollar will all be eliminated, leaving just the loonie and toonie in circulation.
Yee also wants to create a national housing program by partnering with municipalities. Cities will provide the land, and run the housing program locally. The federal government will provide the funding, and the profits from housing will be shared 50/50.
To see all of Yee's top 20 campaign priorities for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, please go to his website.
Contact Info:
Email: liberalleadershiprace@aol.com
Website: http://liberalleadershiprace.wordpress.com/
While Mr. Yee names all the parties that he has belonged to, I think his memory of events may be "selective". He failed to mention that he ran for the Marijuana Party in 2004 in the Danforth. Didn't see that party in the list of the many he's belonged to.
Here's a heads up Mr. Yee - I don't think the use of the Liberal logo is allowed on your leadership page. Just sayin'.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
5 People, 1 Guitar, 28 Million Hits
...and in only 14 days!!!! Eat you heart out Lady Gaga. Walk off the Earth is a sensation.
Here's the original
Here's the original
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Liberal Delegates Might Want to Read This
From: Maria Minna [mailto:mariaminna@rogers.com]
Sent: January-09-12 3:17 PM
To: undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Constitutional Amendments.
January 9, 2012
Dear Liberal Colleagues:
I want to share with you my concerns with the major and sweeping changes being proposed to the Liberal Constitution. I believe that, if passed, they will have a major impact on the culture and future of the Liberal Party of Canada.
First, I want to address the time allocated for discussion and voting. Despite the massive restructuring of the party’s constitution and its operations, the organizers have put together an agenda that, in my view, does not work to the benefit of delegates or an open party. There are two different Q&A sessions on Friday (1:30-3pm & 3:30-5pm) to explain, I presume, the changes which include adopting the primary system. It seems to me that time allowed is disjointed and does not allow for debate. Delegates should be getting the explanations at the same time that the constitutional amendments are being done so that, once discussion on a given amendment is over, delegates can vote with information fresh in their minds. As it is, these small time frames may make delegates feel they have had their say and not attend the real show which is the constitutional amendments which takes place in two different time slots on Saturday (1-2pm & 5-6:30pm).
The two small different time slots for constitutional discussion and voting are also disjointed and do not allow for enough continuous time to debate and vote. The discussions and amendments should take place at the same time with plenty of time dedicated to this critical piece of our party’s restructuring. I am also concerned that some delegates may leave Saturday night and others may be busy attending other functions such as hospitality suites and we may get low turn-out.
Given the importance of the changes being proposed, I would have expected a good deal more time earlier in the day to be allocated. If the current executive really means it when they say they want an open party, then they should make the Friday (because having a general Q&A by itself is a waste of time) and the Saturday time slots all a constitutional debate and voting and collapse all the time slots earlier in the day while people are more engaged.
In a reply to a Liberal member on the same issue, the LPC’s Andre Brisebois explained that the reason for the agenda structure was that some members wanted policy discussion. Meanwhile LPC spokesperson Sarah Bain stated in an interview that “the three-day conference was planned as a policy convention, but has adopted an emphasis on renewal at the request of membership.” She also says that, “the resolutions that have garnered the most votes online would have the Liberals establish a renewal commission.....”
So, given that the road map, including the primary system, is the core of the renewal debate why relegate them to bits of leftover time?
I do want to share with you my concerns with the proposed primary system which creates a two-tier system -- supporters and members.
1. I believe our leadership process could be hijacked not to mention possible manipulation of data. Since it would be open to anyone who cared to register, the only thing a voter has to do is to sign a paper and that gives him/her the right to vote for the Liberal Leader, no fees needed. Remember that this is one of the only two most important privileges that the current paid-up member has in the Liberal Party.
This same supporter can register today, vote and deregister when voting is over. No other obligation is expected of them except to pledge that they are not a member of another party which is easy to do as most people are not members of the parties they support. We could potentially end up with supporters of other parties registering and voting for the Leader they think is the weaker one, thereby hijacking our process. Similarly, special interest groups could register and influence the process unduly.
The election of riding candidates will even be more influenced by special interest groups and cause major problems for the party.
Registration to vote can happen as late as 27 days before voting.
2. A member of the Liberal Party, on the other hand, has to pay a membership fee of $10 for the privilege of voting for the next Leader and of course is expected to do all the work of running a riding association, volunteering at riding events such as summer picnics, work in elections, raise money for the party and much more.
3. The constitutional proposal also has the election of a leader taking place over a period of 70 days, region by region across the country with results being made public as each region votes. This is the American primary system. In Canada we have changed election laws so that results of one region cannot be made public until the rest of the country has voted so as not to influence or discourage those voting later. I do not support having voters either influenced or demoralized as the vote rolls across the country. This could also skew the results.
4. The leadership vote is to be held in the different EDAs which means volunteers in associations having to manage possibly thousands of voters with interest groups controlling the vote.
5. There is to be a Leadership Committee within the party who is supposed to oversee the whole process, but I don’t believe that a volunteer committee can ensure no manipulation in such a complex system.
I don’t believe that our party has the infrastructure (I don’t believe any party has) to administer such a large number of registrants (several million possibly) not to mention the financial cost. We have had huge challenges in the past running large nominations in ridings and have had some very bad messes. This large-scale exercise across the country would lend itself to manipulation, and huge costs and major problems which could do a great deal of damage to the party. We are an organization of volunteers -- not Elections Canada.
6. Our leadership candidates of 2006 spent years trying to eliminate their leadership debt and some, I believe, are still trying. With a much larger campaign which would be required with a broader voting base, a long primary would entail major expenses both for the candidates and for LPC . Among other things, this could cause women to stay out of the race. The additional cost to LPC alone has not been assessed both in terms of human and monetary capital.
7. The powers of the President of the Liberal Party would change dramatically in this case but there is nothing in the document to address this.
8. The primary system would give the Liberal Leader and his/her office more power over Caucus and the Party. As a recent Member of Parliament with almost 18years of experience, I can say with first-hand knowledge, that, most of the time caucus is not considered or listened to by the leader and especially his office. There is very little accountability to caucus members. Especially during our years in opposition, we could have avoided a great deal of pain and losses if the leadership and their offices had listened and taken into consideration the expertise and advice of caucus members. Therefore, I am convinced that a Leader who is so broadly elected will feel even less accountable towards caucus let alone any accountability to the party at large.
9. I see no checks and balances in this proposal. In the American Presidential system the President has to go to Congress and Senate to lobby to get his agenda approved. We do not have a presidential system in Canada and our Parliamentary system already gives the Prime Minister huge powers which would become that much stronger with a primary system that elected him/her as leader of the party.
Colleagues, I am not saying that this system should not happen in Canada, but I believe that, if and when it ever does, we have to have in place all the proper checks and balances, address the issue of membership better, and not run the process ourselves but have Elections Canada run it to ensure a true independent and accountable process for Canadians to see.
In the meantime, I would recommend that we establish a Change Commission to study the recommendation and look at all the issues raised above and more and report back at the end of 2012 or at the next convention. In the meantime, let’s elect our next leader with the one member one vote which we established at the last convention and have never put to use.
Please share these few thoughts of mine with your Liberal colleagues and, if we are on the same wavelength, make sure the convention organizers know how you feel before the convention gets under way.
Sincerely yours,
Maria Minna
Hon. Maria Minna, P.C.
Former Member of Parliament
Beaches-East York
Sent: January-09-12 3:17 PM
To: undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Constitutional Amendments.
January 9, 2012
Dear Liberal Colleagues:
I want to share with you my concerns with the major and sweeping changes being proposed to the Liberal Constitution. I believe that, if passed, they will have a major impact on the culture and future of the Liberal Party of Canada.
First, I want to address the time allocated for discussion and voting. Despite the massive restructuring of the party’s constitution and its operations, the organizers have put together an agenda that, in my view, does not work to the benefit of delegates or an open party. There are two different Q&A sessions on Friday (1:30-3pm & 3:30-5pm) to explain, I presume, the changes which include adopting the primary system. It seems to me that time allowed is disjointed and does not allow for debate. Delegates should be getting the explanations at the same time that the constitutional amendments are being done so that, once discussion on a given amendment is over, delegates can vote with information fresh in their minds. As it is, these small time frames may make delegates feel they have had their say and not attend the real show which is the constitutional amendments which takes place in two different time slots on Saturday (1-2pm & 5-6:30pm).
The two small different time slots for constitutional discussion and voting are also disjointed and do not allow for enough continuous time to debate and vote. The discussions and amendments should take place at the same time with plenty of time dedicated to this critical piece of our party’s restructuring. I am also concerned that some delegates may leave Saturday night and others may be busy attending other functions such as hospitality suites and we may get low turn-out.
Given the importance of the changes being proposed, I would have expected a good deal more time earlier in the day to be allocated. If the current executive really means it when they say they want an open party, then they should make the Friday (because having a general Q&A by itself is a waste of time) and the Saturday time slots all a constitutional debate and voting and collapse all the time slots earlier in the day while people are more engaged.
In a reply to a Liberal member on the same issue, the LPC’s Andre Brisebois explained that the reason for the agenda structure was that some members wanted policy discussion. Meanwhile LPC spokesperson Sarah Bain stated in an interview that “the three-day conference was planned as a policy convention, but has adopted an emphasis on renewal at the request of membership.” She also says that, “the resolutions that have garnered the most votes online would have the Liberals establish a renewal commission.....”
So, given that the road map, including the primary system, is the core of the renewal debate why relegate them to bits of leftover time?
I do want to share with you my concerns with the proposed primary system which creates a two-tier system -- supporters and members.
1. I believe our leadership process could be hijacked not to mention possible manipulation of data. Since it would be open to anyone who cared to register, the only thing a voter has to do is to sign a paper and that gives him/her the right to vote for the Liberal Leader, no fees needed. Remember that this is one of the only two most important privileges that the current paid-up member has in the Liberal Party.
This same supporter can register today, vote and deregister when voting is over. No other obligation is expected of them except to pledge that they are not a member of another party which is easy to do as most people are not members of the parties they support. We could potentially end up with supporters of other parties registering and voting for the Leader they think is the weaker one, thereby hijacking our process. Similarly, special interest groups could register and influence the process unduly.
The election of riding candidates will even be more influenced by special interest groups and cause major problems for the party.
Registration to vote can happen as late as 27 days before voting.
2. A member of the Liberal Party, on the other hand, has to pay a membership fee of $10 for the privilege of voting for the next Leader and of course is expected to do all the work of running a riding association, volunteering at riding events such as summer picnics, work in elections, raise money for the party and much more.
3. The constitutional proposal also has the election of a leader taking place over a period of 70 days, region by region across the country with results being made public as each region votes. This is the American primary system. In Canada we have changed election laws so that results of one region cannot be made public until the rest of the country has voted so as not to influence or discourage those voting later. I do not support having voters either influenced or demoralized as the vote rolls across the country. This could also skew the results.
4. The leadership vote is to be held in the different EDAs which means volunteers in associations having to manage possibly thousands of voters with interest groups controlling the vote.
5. There is to be a Leadership Committee within the party who is supposed to oversee the whole process, but I don’t believe that a volunteer committee can ensure no manipulation in such a complex system.
I don’t believe that our party has the infrastructure (I don’t believe any party has) to administer such a large number of registrants (several million possibly) not to mention the financial cost. We have had huge challenges in the past running large nominations in ridings and have had some very bad messes. This large-scale exercise across the country would lend itself to manipulation, and huge costs and major problems which could do a great deal of damage to the party. We are an organization of volunteers -- not Elections Canada.
6. Our leadership candidates of 2006 spent years trying to eliminate their leadership debt and some, I believe, are still trying. With a much larger campaign which would be required with a broader voting base, a long primary would entail major expenses both for the candidates and for LPC . Among other things, this could cause women to stay out of the race. The additional cost to LPC alone has not been assessed both in terms of human and monetary capital.
7. The powers of the President of the Liberal Party would change dramatically in this case but there is nothing in the document to address this.
8. The primary system would give the Liberal Leader and his/her office more power over Caucus and the Party. As a recent Member of Parliament with almost 18years of experience, I can say with first-hand knowledge, that, most of the time caucus is not considered or listened to by the leader and especially his office. There is very little accountability to caucus members. Especially during our years in opposition, we could have avoided a great deal of pain and losses if the leadership and their offices had listened and taken into consideration the expertise and advice of caucus members. Therefore, I am convinced that a Leader who is so broadly elected will feel even less accountable towards caucus let alone any accountability to the party at large.
9. I see no checks and balances in this proposal. In the American Presidential system the President has to go to Congress and Senate to lobby to get his agenda approved. We do not have a presidential system in Canada and our Parliamentary system already gives the Prime Minister huge powers which would become that much stronger with a primary system that elected him/her as leader of the party.
Colleagues, I am not saying that this system should not happen in Canada, but I believe that, if and when it ever does, we have to have in place all the proper checks and balances, address the issue of membership better, and not run the process ourselves but have Elections Canada run it to ensure a true independent and accountable process for Canadians to see.
In the meantime, I would recommend that we establish a Change Commission to study the recommendation and look at all the issues raised above and more and report back at the end of 2012 or at the next convention. In the meantime, let’s elect our next leader with the one member one vote which we established at the last convention and have never put to use.
Please share these few thoughts of mine with your Liberal colleagues and, if we are on the same wavelength, make sure the convention organizers know how you feel before the convention gets under way.
Sincerely yours,
Maria Minna
Hon. Maria Minna, P.C.
Former Member of Parliament
Beaches-East York
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