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Democracy is our Middle Name

4/22/2016

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By David McLaren

​I suppose it was to be expected. The mainstream media (and some of the alternative media) made a big fuss about the NDP Convention and the vote that ousted Mr Mulcair. Here’s my take: it was a comment that aired on Bayshore radio stations last Monday. It’s my comment and should not be taken as the opinion of the entire Executive.
 Democracy is a messy business. The recent New Democratic Party convention is proof of that. Party members dismissed their leader, Tom Mulcair, and are signalling a left turn with its so-called Leap Manifesto. The other parties and the mainstream media are having a field day … NDP stabs leader in the back … Party takes great leap backwards … NDP dooms itself to third party status.
 Bollocks. ‘Democratic’ is the NDP’s middle name and the Dippers are having a democratic debate. I think that’s better than no debate, or debate that’s stiffly controlled, or even sunny ways that mask the machinations of majority government.
 There’s no question the federal campaign was badly run. It blew a healthy lead in the polls and it lost Quebec. In its bid for power, it allowed power to slip through its fingers. Even worse, it turned a deafened ear to the very people it claimed to represent – the folks in Canada, and in this riding, who are being left out of the economy and shuffled to the margins.
 Mr Mulcair took responsibility for the national campaign and now he’s gone. In his wake, expect the NDP to become more vocal about corporate control of our economy and the free trade deals that cement that control. Expect the Party to push for policies that allow people to live on the wages they earn; that protect our health care system; that invest in affordable child care, housing and post-secondary education.
 New Democrats preach democratic renewal; and we practice it too.

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The annual Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes Fundraiser, Sunday June 5th

4/22/2016

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By Colleen Purdon, Women’s Rep

NDPers have always welcomed women into the Party. Agnes Macphail, who was born in Grey County and represented Grey-Bruce in Ottawa, was one of the founding members of the CCF, the forerunner of the New Democratic Party. Our 2016 Executive actually has more women then men.

 In that spirit, I’m organizing the men’s team for the annual Walk-a-Mile event in aid of the Women’s Centre Bruce Grey. The Walk is held every year at Harrison Park in Owen Sound, staring at 1:00 pm.
 We’ll need pledges and, of course, men. You can find information (and pledge forms) here: http://whsbg.on.ca/are-you-man-enough/.
 And you can make things easier for me by volunteering. Send me an email here: cpurdon@bmts.com.
 Oh, and women … we need you to come out and encourage the men to go the distance. Apparently, they find high heels a little tricky to master.

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Join with workers in Bruce Grey on April 28 to remember those killed or injured on the job

4/22/2016

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By David McLaren (Labour Rep)
This year I am helping Jeff Cronin from the Society of Energy Professionals to organize the Day. Ceremonies will start at 11:00 am on the steps of Owen Sound City Hall.
 
Hazel Pratt-Paige is organizing for the Day in Hanover (11:00 am in Heritage Park, across the road from City Hall).
 
Please join us on April 28 to show your support for workers who are harmed on the job and their families who must bear the consequences.
  • Over 900 workers are killed in Canada every year – nearly 3 a day.
  • Nearly a quarter of a million hours are lost due to injury as reported to Workmen’s Compensation Boards. (Only half of all injuries and diseases are actually reported.)
  • Ontario has half of all workers killed, and 240,000 injuries as reported to Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
  • Ontario’s 57,000 accepted claims (many are not accepted) costs the economy $6 billion a year.
  • PTSD is taking a horrendous toll on first responders and it’s even affecting those who struggle to provide for their families on minimum wage.
 
Ontario Bill 180, Workers Day of Mourning Act has unanimously passed seconded reading. Hopefully it will pass 3rd reading and into law before April 28th. Here is the text of the Bill. It’s very short: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=3854

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Here’s your new Executive 

4/22/2016

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By Michael McLuhan, EDA President
It will be a wonderful year upcoming! If you are interested in getting involved on the executive please contact me directly atmichael@michaelmcluhan.com.

 The AGM on April 15th was well attended and there was no shortage of members for positions on the Executive. Gender parity is not an issue with our party. I’m pleased that we have as many women as men and, given the two reserves in our area, four First Nations people and one Métis as well. Diversity has always been a hallmark of the NDP.
 Your continued support has and always will be valued. Please join us as we continue working towards a fairer, more inclusive Bruce Grey region.
 Vice President (provincial): Michael Johnston
Vice President (federal): MaryAnn Wilhelm
Treasurer: Hugh Evans
Secretary & Membership: Karen Gventer
Youth Rep: Dawnais Wilhelm
Women’s Rep: Colleen Purdon
Aboriginal Rep: Rachel Mason
Disability Rep: Ray Whitfield
Labour Council Rep: David McLaren
Provincial Council Rep: Gord Lawson
Provincial Council Rep: MaryAnn Wilhelm
Provincial Council Rep (alternate): Karen Gventer
Members at Large: Beverly Morley, Katherine Mann, Diane Owen, Ivan Smith, Marie Mason

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BGOS NDP elects Executive at AGM

4/18/2016

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BGOS NDP elects Executive at AGM

The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound NDP Riding Association held their 2016 Annual General Meeting inOwen Sound on the evening of April 15, 2016.

Acclaimed journalist Michael Valpy gave an inspiring keynote address, speaking on the ethics of the media in political reporting and on the direction of the New Democratic Party after its Edmontonconvention. In short, the NDP remains the only political party in Canada that can formulate an alternative to the neo-liberal agenda of the Liberals and Conservatives.

Members present agreed that the BGOS Riding Association would continue to work on issues of concern to the people in this riding, principally, the need for a living wage, economic development, affordable housing and reconciliation with First Nations. There is much work to do on all these matters.

Attendance was good and we were able to fill the following positions with well-qualified people. Our Executive is reflective of the demographics  of the Riding.
President: Michael McLuhan
Vice President (provincial): Michael Johnston
Vice President (federal): MaryAnn Wilhelm
Treasurer: Hugh Evans
Secretary & Membership: Karen Gventer
Youth Rep: Dawnais Wilhelm
Women’s Rep: Colleen Purdon
Aboriginal Rep: Rachel Mason
Disability Rep: Ray Whitfield
Labour Council Rep: David McLaren
Provincial Council Rep: Gord Lawson
Provincial Council Rep: MaryAnn Wilhelm
Provincial Council Rep (alternate): Karen Gventer
Members at Large: Beverly Morley, Katherine Mann, Diane Owen, Ivan Smith, Marie Mason.
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AGM is April 15, 2016  By Ivan Smith, EDA President

4/10/2016

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Don’t forget our first Annual General Meeting after the election starts 7 pm, April 15, 2016 at 1717 2ndAvenue East, Owen Sound (that’s the BDO building nearly across the road from the Best Western Inn on the Bay).

​We intend to present a higher public profile in the riding over the next few years and engage our fellow citizens in a meaningful political conversation as well as take on some concrete projects (such as income inequality, affordable housing, electoral reform). I hope you’ll come out on April 15 and help us develop a plan.
The AGM is your best opportunity to help set our agenda for the next year. We’ve asked Michael Valpy, the well-known Globe and Mail columnist to speak about the sort of things that are lacking in politics today. Things that we can supply in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.
I also hope you will let your name stand for a position on the Executive. We’ll be electing members to serve on the Executive over the next year. There are a number of positions available. If you want more info on any of them before the meeting, drop us a line at team@bgos-ndp.ca.
You can also ask us about the status of your membership at team@bgos-ndp.ca or at ashiwprasad@on.ndp.cabecause you must be a member in good standing to vote at the AGM. You’re a member of the NDP whether you sign up provincially or federally, but the best place to join or renew is at the Provincial site ($25, $5 for students, seniors and unwaged): http://ontariondp.com/membership/becomeamember.php.
If you want to donate, go here because we get some of your donation back into the riding:https://secure.ndp.ca/riding13/index.php?riding=35014&language=e.
Or you can simply send a cheque to our Treasurer:
Bruce Grey Owen Sound NDP EDA
c/o Hugh Evans
PO Box 384
Chatsworth, Ontario
N0H 1G0
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2016 NDP Convention - Rachel Notley

4/10/2016

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Published on Apr 9, 2016 Rachel Notley, Alberta’s NDP premier, addresses the gathered delegates. She outlines her government’s achievements and its goals, including a push to raise the minimum wage, the development of a climate change strategy and the continuing need for Alberta to embrace its energy resources and economy.
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Published on 9 Apr 2016 Stephen Lewis (the former leader of the Ontario NDP and the co-founder of the Stephen Lewis Foundation) addresses the NDP National Convention in Edmonton on April 9, 2016.

4/10/2016

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Show me the 'Aggie': Agnes Macphail on our money

4/10/2016

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http://owensoundhub.org/letters/1884-show-me-the-aggie-agnes-macphail-on-our-money.html

The Bank of Canada wants to put a Canadian woman on our money; and it's giving the public until April 15th to nominate someone. Go here to have your say.
Well, it's about time. Don't get me wrong. I like the Queen. She's a nice lady ... been through a lot.
But she's not, you know, one of us.
So the question is who?
In our little corner of Canada, the 'who' is easy. There's Nellie McClung – one of the Famous Five women who argued that they were, counter to manly opinion at the time, "persons."
Then there's Nahweebawbeekwe – Catherine Sutton. When the Government of Upper Canada refused to let her and her Band buy back their own land after the Treaty of 1836, she took their grievance to England andput it before Queen Victoria.
There's no shortage of accomplished women in Canada -- you can see who's been nominated so far here.
But the woman I'd like to see on my money is Agnes Macphail. The same year women won the right to vote, she won a seat in the House of Commons. To do it she had to face down public scorn, opposition from her family, and two dozen male opponents in a knock-em-down, drag-em-out nomination meeting.
As an independent Progressive, Agnes represented Grey County, then Bruce-Grey, for nearly 2 decades. In that time, she championed causes that are with us still: equal pay for women, a publicly funded pension plan, support for the new Canadian Federation of Agriculture, penal reform, workers rights, and justice for disabled vets.
Prime Ministers tried to co-opt her into their Cabinets but she refused, preferring to plough her own furrow. Sounds to me like the kind of women we still have around these parts.
More on Agnes at the Grey Highlands Library website:
And on YouTube:
David McLaren
Neyaashiinigmiing, Bruce Peninsula ON


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