What is Stephen Harper hiding?
It’s no secret that Stephen Harper’s government is the most secretive in the history of Canada, but what are they hiding?
Tags: Conservatives, PMO, secrecy, Stephen Harper
Conservatives were trying to “Harperize” government afterall.
After much delay and many refusals for political reasons, the Canadian Government has finally released documents that show there was in fact a concerted effort to re-brand itself as “The Harper Government.” In true Conservative fasion the government is sticking with the original lie.
Anyone surprised?
Tags: Canadian Government, Conservatives, Dimitri Soudas, PCO, Stephen Harper, The Harper Government
Kelowna votes, disappointed but not surprised.
Well, Kelowna has voted and it seems the voters want to shake things up a bit. When I heard about an increase in voter turnout this time around, both at advance polls and on election day, I figured we were in for some changes. Unfortunately, the majority of voters are under the impression that bringing back the mayor from six years ago is change. This is the same Old Gray Mayor (pun intended) that commented after his defeat in 2005 that he was done with politics and that it was a younger person’s game. He also made comments about his female rival putting up pink, frilly curtains in city hall, and cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars fighting a human right tribunal because he doesn’t like gays. I guess none of that matters to the 13,995 people who filled in the bubble next to his name.
Next came the disappointing council results where it seems instead of electing people based on their experience, their work ethic, or their being suited for the job, voters chose to go with celebrity. (Gerry Zimmermann – fire chief during the OK Mtn. Park fire of 2003; Colin Basran – former CHBC News reporter who doesn’t live in Kelowna; Maxine DeHart – Capital News business columnist; Mohini Singg – former CHBC News reporter) I suspected this may happen from the start, but I guess I held out some hope that voters would want better for their city.
The only encouraging news I can think of from the voting results is the aforementioned rise in voter turnout. Of course it’s not too encouraging when you consider the estimated turnout was a pathetic 33%!
Kelowna Municipal Election 2011, My Choices
On Saturday Kelowna residents, or at least those who bother to vote, will decide the future of this great city by electing a mayor and council along with a board of school trustees. To be honest, I’ve never voted in a municipal election before, be it here, or in Calgary when I lived there. Since moving back to Kelowna I’ve become keenly aware of my love for this city and my concerns, hopes, and dreams for its future. That’s why for this municipal election I’ve done my best to follow the huge slate of candidates and pick those who I think can make this city even greater.
Though I’ve seen some nice changes in Kelowna in recent years, overall I’m not pleased with the direction being taken by Kelowna’s mayor and council. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that no incumbents made it on my list.
For mayor:
Kelowna needs a fresh new leader that will listen to the citizens of Kelowna and put their interests first. We don’t need more of the same or more of the past. (Here’s looking at you Walter Gray) We need a leader who will listen to our concerns and addresses them instead of looking only at what will best benefit the business community.
Cal Condy is that leader. Throughout his campaign Cal has shown himself to be a no-bullshit, get-things-done kind of guy who listens to the people around him. Plus the guy cracks me up. City hall could use a guy with a sense of humour.
For council:
Sadly, with 40 candidates running for council I can’t see eight of them who I would give my support to. Of course that helps the candidates that I will be voting for, since a vote for an eighth-choice candidate could mean a first-choice candidate doesn’t get a seat on council. And so my choices, in no particular order, are:
Rob Mabey is a progressive voice that has a plan to take back our city, to build on its momentum, and to make it a better place for all. Rob speaks of a Kelowna with development that is attainable for all levels of income, creating jobs, and reducing crime. Those are three things I’m voting for.
Mary-Ann Graham is a dedicated and hard working advocate for Kelowna and for Rutland specifically. She has an impressive record with many years of tirelessly working for her community including working to extinguish the repressive HST. She also has previous political experience working on many boards and committees through the years.
Tisha Kalmanovitch is a volunteer community advocate for a number of organizations and offers a progressive approach to move Kelowna forward. Plus, if she got Jack Layton’s blessing as a federal candidate in the last election, she’s got mine for Kelowna Council.
For school trustee:
Greg Krasichynsky is another New Democrat running in this election. His platform includes some unique and innovative ideas to provide the very best education to the students in this city.
Tags: 2011, city council, election, Kelowna, Kelowna Votes, mayor, municipal election, school trustee
Today the HST, tomorrow the BC Liberals.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/08/26/b-c-votes-to-scrap-hst/
Congratulations to British Columbians for working against great challenges and defying great odds to dispose of this regressive tax. Let’s now work even harder to dispose of the government that brought it in.
Tags: British Columbia, Christy Clark, Gordan Campbell, HST, referendum, tax, taxes
The loss of a great friend.
It is with great sadness that I return to blogging this week. Like so many Canadians I am shocked and saddened by the death of Jack Layton. As a New Democrat I’ve been a huge fan of Jack Laytion for many years, despite our disagreements on some things. Through the years I was able to attend three rallies that Jack spoke at. On one occasion I was able to shake his hand as he made his way to the stage. Though I didn’t really know him personally, I feel like I’ve lost a close friend. When I first heard the news of Jack’s death I was in shock. Hours later, reading the news, I was moved to tears.
It’s my hope, that Jack’s last public words to Canadians will inspire people, like they have inspired me, to become more involved in building the Canada we want. Let’s work together to build a better Canada in memory of a great leader, a good friend, and the best Prime Minister we never had.
Tags: death, Jack, Jack Layton, NDP
