Trudeau and Alberta

Canada's Conservative Party abandoned Premier Alison Redford and the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta during Alberta's last provincial election - they chose instead to support Alberta's far-right Wildrose Alliance Party.

Now, Justin Trudeau seeks to build bridges with Albertans and their government; all the while pushing for sustainable and environmentally-sound development for Canada's oil industry.

Said it before, and I'll say it again - Tories underestimate Trudeau at their own peril.

National Post, Trudeau praises Redford for Keystone XL efforts, slams Harper for not pushing ‘critical’ project:

Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has praised Alberta Premier Alison Redford for her efforts to get the United States to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. 

But Trudeau said Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government hasn’t done enough to push the project. 

“This (federal) government hasn’t done a very good job of reassuring either Canadians or our trading partners that we are serious about managing environmental sustainability,” Trudeau told reporters after shaking hands with commuters at a downtown subway station early Friday.

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Blogging the Liberal Party National Showcase (#lpcldr)

I'll be participating in the Liberal Party Leadership National Showcase this Saturday as "accredited media". Take that, MSM.

You can follow my coverage here, on Twitter (@progright), and on Google+.

I'd like to thank the Liberal Party of Canada for accrediting bloggers - there are a few of us attending. I was critical of the party's position on bloggers during the 2012 Convention, so I'm delighted by this change in position. More exposure by this type of media must be embraced.

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Rob Ford

It is news that Rob Ford was allegedly acting inappropriately at an official function where he was attending in his capacity as mayor of Toronto. It is news that he was (allegedly) asked to leave that gala.

It is not news that Rob Ford is allegedly fighting personal demons. The Toronto Star was wrong to report that. It's not going to help him if it`s true.

There are a great many things to dislike about Rob Ford and a great many issues to fight him on - let`s focus on those.

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Marc Garneau in Durham #lpcldr

Marc Garneau will be in the Durham Region on Sunday, February 10.

First Stop is the Durham Federal Riding Annual General Meeting in Blackstock at the Blackstock Recreation Centre, 3440 Church Street. He'll be there from 2-3:15 pm.

Last stop will be in Oshawa from 4-5 pm at the Oshawa Airport Enterprise Hanger, 1191 Keith Ross Drive.

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#OLPLDR Photo Streaming

Pictures I've taken at the Ontario Liberal Party convention are streaming live at ProgressiveBloggers.ca. Go check them out!

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Day One Over #olpldr

Today was mostly about registering delegates and getting everyone organized. The vast majority of the time was the tribute to outgoing premier, Dalton McGuinty. Premier McGuinty thanked his family, his mother - and regretted that his father could not see him enter public life.

Tomorrow, I rejoin the blogging crew and bring you coverage of the leadership ballots.

As always, check out the photos on ProgressiveBloggers.ca.

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Live from Toronto, it's the Ontario Liberal Party Convention! #olpldr

I'm firmly entrenched now in blogging headquarters for the Ontario Liberal Party convention. I'll be spending the greatest part of my time uploading pictures to the Progressive Bloggers main site, and offering witty commentary on Twitter and on this blog.

For my initial thoughts - we have two strong front runners in Kathleen Wynne and Sandra Pupatello. In a one-on-one contest, they'd split the vote easily. But, we have a delegated convention and that means some attention needs to be paid to the middle of the pack contenders. Those delegates on a second ballot can sway the leadership vote in unpredictable ways.

All Ontarians need to pay attention - Ontario Liberals are not just picking a leader, they are also picking Ontario's next premier.

Your intrepid blogger plans to spend some time getting to know the delegates, the alternates, the media, and the bloggers. What do they think? What are they planning? Where can I get the best swag? :)

As I tweeted, I'll be in their hospitality suites, tweeting all their secrets.

Stay tuned. It's going to be a long couple of nights.

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Ontario Liberal Leadership Convention 2013 Coverage (#olpldr)

I will be attending the Ontario Liberal leadership convention as an accredited blogger. You can follow my coverage here, on Twitter (@progright), and on Google+. I'll also work out something with Scott about streaming coverage via Progressive Bloggers.

Full disclosure, I stood as a Sandra Pupatello delegate, but did not land a delegate spot. I decided not to stand as alternate.

I'd like to thank the Ontario Liberal Party for accrediting bloggers to the convention. I argued on behalf of allowing bloggers access even while running as a delegate and this is a great indication that they "get" social media.

That all said, this will be my first provincial Liberal convention. I'll be there bright and early on the Friday morning right through to the count of the last ballot.

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Kathleen Wynne, Blogging Teleconference Call (#olpldr)

Tonight, Kathleen Wynne, candidate for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, held a conference call for Liberal bloggers. It was a great opportunity for us to hear directly from Kathleen. Several bloggers attended - the ones I remember right now - Scott Tribe (Scott's DiaTribes) and Kyle Hutton (Blunt Objects). There were some other participants, but they were shy (if you're reading this, leave a comment and I'll update this post).

Kathleen used the opportunity to showcase her ideas for party renewal in a premail to the attendees. She's developing a strategy that I think mirrors some of the structure of the federal party. She's proposing an independent(ish) executive, with regional executive representation. Also, she's committed to review the financial relationship between the central party and the riding associations in unheld ridings.

I don't have a lot of opinion on the structure of the Ontario Liberal Party as I'm still fairly new to it, but I think when it comes out, it'll bring lots of good debate for Liberals.

Once she discussed her plan, the call was opened up to questions from attending bloggers.

Highlights of the conversation:

• Near and dear to Scott's heart, is the ability for bloggers to attend the convention with some form of accredited status (a la the NDP federal leadership where several of us bloggers enjoyed full accredited status with badges and everything). Kathleen committed to taking the issue back to the convention organizers.
   
• I asked how she felt being one of the Toronto-based candidates, where Sandra Pupatello is running as the "non-Toronto" candidate. I then asked is she ready to be attacked by the opposition parties for also being Toronto-based. She is upset by the divisions between rural and urban ridings and the politics that divide the two "regions". However, she said it's a falsity that Ontarians are urban or rural only. More often than not, Ontarians know of someone or have lived in multiple areas within the province.
   
• As a member of government, Kathleen accepted the government's responsibility for Ornge and the teacher unrest. She's confident that the current work of the government and Premier Dalton McGuinty will work to resolve these issues. She also indicated that she would continue the successful record of the Ontario Liberal Party and will not be running as the "radical change" candidate who will throw the previous leadership under the bus. I like that.
   
• Kathleen seeks to engage more youth in the party. The concern raised by Kyle is he's in a riding without a strong youth component - not being in a university town, there's not a strong active youth presence. Her strategy for renewing the party itself will seek to strengthen OLP representation in unheld ridings and to strengthen the youth wing with that. I'm too old to be a youth, so I'll leave that to Liberal youth to debate.
   
• I asked how, as Premier, she would get along with the Prime Minister. There was much guffawing from the bloggers - ah, we're a partisan lot. Any way, she understands that she must work with all levels of government; federal, First Nations, and municipal. I thought it very interesting that she mentioned First Nations government since it's typically held up as federal responsibility. She admitted they might run into disagreements, but she's committed to making the relationship work - that, she says, will help Ontario achieve a fair share. So, no Danny Williams routine from Kathleen Wynne as Premier.

All-in-all, a positive experience. I appreciated the invite to attend and I appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Q&A session. She's committed to doing the conference call again, and I'd like to participate once more.

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Cheaper Keggers Under Tim Hudak? #onpoli

The University of Ottawa Conservatives are notably excited by the prospect of buying cheaper booze in Ontario. I've noticed one other university student tweet touting the benefits of cheaper alcohol in Ontario if students vote for Tim Hudak's Conservatives.

Cheap alcohol is one way to motivate youth to vote.

I'm not a prude, by any stretch - but, one of the chief arguments against increased availability of alcohol is with regard to youth consumption in the province.

I wonder how this will play up in a debate? Is this an official Conservative campaign talking point?

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The Progressive Right (and Rabble) Anger Sun News! #topoli

Alex Pierson, Sun News morning anchor, links to a story on Rabble calling for today's Grey Cup to be used as a "farewell" parade to Rob Ford. Naturally, she's angry.

I do think that is a witty graphic.

You can read the Rabble article here.

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Sandra Pupatello for Premier #olpldr #onpoli

I support Sandra Pupatello as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and to be the next Premier of Ontario.

The challenge for an Ontario Liberal with this race is there are so many qualified candidates with a varied set of positions, experiences and attributes. The ultimate tipping point for me -- similar to why I'm supporting Justin Trudeau in the federal realm -- is that Sandra is a fighter. I want a leader who will not back down from criticism or attacks by the opposition. Sandra's strong and she's a winner.

Plus, I think, Sandra being the "non-Toronto" candidate makes her a good choice in the rest of the province.

This is an exciting time to be an Ontario Liberal and I look forward to working toward a Sandra Pupatello leadership victory.

It is also my intention to stand as a delegate in January.

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Justin Trudeau in Port Perry #lpcldr

Just back from Port Perry where I got a chance to see Justin Trudeau speak on behalf of his leadership campaign and on behalf of Grant Humes, the Durham Liberal candidate for the November 26th by-election.

Some highlights of the stop.

• Justin started off with a little humour by launching with a cheap pop announcing he was "officially" launching his leadership campaign on the first official day of the campaign in Port Perry to great applause.
• Canadians are tired of being cynical about politics; Canadians don't want a party that plays up one region of the country against another, and cited that the Liberal Party is the party that can unite the country.
• Justin Trudeau will fight for the middle class; Canadians and Canadian business, backed by a strong middle class, will innovate and grow.
• Justin Trudeau wants to actively engage youth in his campaign

As if to show how successful he is in engaging youth, I noted that there was a young girl snapping pictures of Justin with her Nintendo DS.

A short stop - but a great one. The place was packed.

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Yes, the Manning Centre is a Registered Charity ... Still

A Mennonite magazine, 'Canadian Mennonite', has received a warning from the Canadian Revenue Agency, about what articles and editorials it can publish, citing their pieces "appear to promote opposition to a political party, or to candidates for public office". That's a no-no under the rules for maintaining registered charity status.

Meanwhile, the Manning Centre, as previously reported, is an organization that exists solely to promote the Conservative Party and partisan Conservative activities within Canada. Yet, it continues to enjoy registered charity status with the tax agency.

So, regardless of what you think of this particular publication or the Mennonite Church's status as a charitable entity, the Canadian Revenue Agency still has to answer as to why the Manning Centre enjoys registered charity status.

[H/T, Aurelia Cotta]

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One Public School System

I had an opportunity to argue with someone via Twitter with regards to funding of the Catholic school system in Ontario.

I took exception with her assertion that it was atheists pushing for it's dismantling, and that it was atheists who were bullying Catholics for having the desire to maintain a separate public school system.

My debate partner's argument essentially boiled down to the following point.

I choose to direct my taxes to support the separate school system, therefore I'm the only one who should have a voice in how my tax money is spent.

To which, I tried to rebut.

I do not believe someone should have the ability to direct their taxes to specific programs or initiatives. The same way we do not have separate police forces, fire departments, armed forces, transit, roads, or health care, we should not have a separate parallel public education system.

If I directed my tax dollars (for roads, for example) away from anyone who supported the separate school system, I'd likely own a couple of potholes outside a couple of houses. But, that's not right.

Similarly, electing to send your tax dollars to another parallel school system sends support away from the public school system to a public school system that is not inclusive. It's a government-subsidized private system. It's unfair.

I do not hold any disillusion about any major shift in the political winds to remove the Catholic separate school system any time soon, but the more often we talk about it, the more it will become evident that it's the right thing to do.

Some additional information:

• Ontario Catholics are a minority within the province. There are more identified Protestants than Catholics; "no religious affiliation" is a sizable minority as well.
• Catholicism is not endangered in the province nor would private Catholic education be disallowed.
• The United Nations condemned Canada for allowing Catholic separate schools in 1999 and again in 2006. Canada cannot be a beacon for promotion of education for others when we still fund segregation.
• While the Constitution provides the "right" to receive public Catholic education, the Canadian constitution can be amended in this regard. Ontario can hold a referendum on the question (as Newfoundland & Labrador did).

Updated: My original opening line was mysteriously missing.

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Karen Stintz on Tim Hudak's Transit Credentials

Karen Stintz, Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, on Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak`s credentials on the transit file.

Mr. Hudak has some experience with the TTC, its infrastructure delays and its funding, from his time in [Ontario Progressive Conservative] caucus in 1995. Tough decisions were made then. Those decisions reverberate today. They should be remembered and we should discuss them.

Zing~!

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Conservative Party Continues to Fail Fiscal Conservatives

I'm sure there are Conservative Party apologists out there ready to jump all over these stories, but the fact remains the Conservative Party continues to fail fiscal conservatives in Canada, and they'll vote Liberal in 2015.

Treasury Board boss spars with budget watchdog over mandate, Globe & Mail.

Though the Conservatives created the [Parliamentary Budget Office], there have been numerous arguments over the years between the government and Mr. Page over the appropriate role of the office. Generally, most of the disputes have been over transparency and whether Mr. Page should have access to internal government documents and databases.

The latest battle with the PBO comes as the government is on the defensive over the specific impact of budget cuts to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which is in the midst of responding to a massive beef recall. Ottawa’s March budget outlined plans for an ongoing cut of $56.1-million – or 7.8 per cent – to the CFIA’s $722-million budget by 2014-15. Mr. Page says this is an example of an area where his office needs a better explanation of what is being cut.

IMF cuts Canada's outlook, frets over housing, consumer debt, Globe & Mail.

The International Monetary Fund is taking a dimmer view of Canada, cutting its economic forecasts and warning of the threats from the housing market and swollen consumer debt levels.

Much like the Republican Party in the United States, it continues to be crystal clear that the Conservative Party is not the best party to manage tough economic times despite their propaganda to the contrary. Instead, the party seems to exist solely to waste the efforts of previously stronger economic governance.

The Conservative Party has already failed social conservatives. This house of cards won't last much longer.

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I Support Justin Trudeau

I support Justin Trudeau for leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

For the record, this will be my second* Liberal leadership campaign as a federal Liberal.

You're going to hear a lot from the commentariat that Justin's too young, that he's too inexperienced, that he's too whatever.

What Canada lacks is energy and a spirit in its leadership and its future governance. We're saddled with a government that we don't deserve - we have an electorate too angered by the actions of previous politicians that it's allowed a lazy, regressive Conservative Party to take power and cement itself as the "new normal". A government, that campaigns on accountability, fiscal responsibility, and order, but delivers the opposite - lies, confusion, and a record debt. A government, that campaigns on maintaining the status quo, but forever wants to creep into the bedrooms of the nation.

Stephen Harper once said, "Canada's back."

It's time we take Canada back.

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The Trials and Tribulations of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

There are times where I just feel sorry for him.

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Maxime Bernier Photo

Does "cliché" mean the same in French as it does in English? If so, perhaps this is an unfortunate photograph of Maxime Bernier, the MP for Beauce.

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Dystopia Decision Tree

Via Blastr, we have a decision tree to help determine if your sci-fi society is a dystopia. Interestingly enough, I think it's useful for determine if your current society is dystopian. Cough ... Harper Conservatives ... cough.

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