December, 2014
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound NDP eNewsletter
Well, the important stuff first … Happy Holidays to our members and supporters, and here’s hoping for a brighter 2015.
I don’t know about you, but we’re wishing for an NDP government in the next federal election. It’s possible. The Tories are tired—some of them are even tired of the Tories, at least the ones in Ottawa . The Liberals are pinning their hopes on Justin Trudeau, desperate to swing into power on the coattails of his name. But the party with the best policies and the gumption to enact them for the benefit of all Canadians is the NDP.
If you are an NDP supporter and you miss Jack, don’t forget it takes both a heart and a head to govern. Thomas Mulcair has the smarts and passion we need now. We’ll be in to win in 2015 and we hope you’ll help.
The nomination meeting to pick a candidate for the 2015 election will be held in February. Stay tuned for date, time and place. In the meantime, please make sure your membership is up to date. You can check by phoning or emailing Jamie at National HQ:
jamiehavce@ndp.ca. 1-866-525-2555, extension 4001
If you are not a member, please go here to join up: www.ndp.ca (click on ‘Take Action’ and then ‘Join’) or go directly to the membership form at:
https://secure.ndp.ca/membership_e.php
You can find out more about the platform Mr Mulcair and company are building at:
http://www.ndp.ca/
jamiehavce@ndp.ca. 1-866-525-2555, extension 4001
If you are not a member, please go here to join up: www.ndp.ca (click on ‘Take Action’ and then ‘Join’) or go directly to the membership form at:
https://secure.ndp.ca/membership_e.php
You can find out more about the platform Mr Mulcair and company are building at:
http://www.ndp.ca/
NDP Seeks Local Federal Candidate The BGOS NDP is seeking people who would be interested in being our candidate for the 2015 federal election. A Candidate Search Committee has been struck to search out potential candidates, and would be happy to accept suggestions.
The Committee chair, Ivan Smith, says “A candidate search is an exciting time for any riding association. We expect to hold a contested nomination meeting in February.”
Smith said details of the local nomination meeting will be announced once the date has been set. Anyone interested in seeking the NDP nomination should e-mail ivannancy.smith@amtelecom.net before mid-January for more information.
The Committee chair, Ivan Smith, says “A candidate search is an exciting time for any riding association. We expect to hold a contested nomination meeting in February.”
Smith said details of the local nomination meeting will be announced once the date has been set. Anyone interested in seeking the NDP nomination should e-mail ivannancy.smith@amtelecom.net before mid-January for more information.
Provincial News NDPers met at the Ontario Convention in Toronto , November 14-16. Here are some of the policy highlights:
Focus on Education: The evidence is clear—education (especially early education) is one of the best ways to combat poverty and develop the country economically. The Ontario NDP’s policies make a nice complement to the federal NDP’s Child Care Plan.
A recent UN ‘Report of the Innocenti’ looks at child poverty in a number of western countries. Those countries that emphasize education (along with fiscal measures that specifically address poverty) are more successful in reducing child poverty … and inequality. (http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/series/16)
Focus on Democracy: Both the federal and Ontario NDP will look at proportional representation as a means of assuring democratic elections.
The ONDP reaffirmed it’s endorsement of a proportional representation system for Ontario .
The federal NDP would implement a system akin to one used now in Scotland, New Zealand and Germany to ensure the seats a party has in the House reflect their popular vote. For more on the federal NDP’s suggestion for proportional rep: http://www.ndp.ca/news/conservatives-say-no-to-fair-elections-system.
Focus on the Working Poor The NDP, both federally and provincially, is well aware of the single most pressing problem facing almost half of all workers in Canada —the struggle to earn enough to get to the end of the month. This is an issue we in this riding have been concerned about for a long time. It is one of the chief drivers of inequality in our society and the NDP is the only party with the policy tools to deal with it. For example,
Join those who have already added their names to the NDP’s $15 an hour pledge at http://www.ndp.ca/up-the-wage.
Focus on the Environment The NDP rejects the premise that economic development and the environment cannot co-exist. In fact, favouring one over the other is a mug’s game—everyone loses eventually.
If only it were that simple.
Remember … Liberals started cutting corporate taxes in the 1990s and Conservatives followed their lead in the 2000s. The Liberals drastically cut Unemployment Insurance to help balance their budgets and so has the Harper Government. Neither strategy creates jobs. Rather, both have served to create a precarious economy. Canada now has the 3rd highest rate of working age poverty among 17 developed countries.
Tommy Douglas, who’s head and heart were both in the right place, paid off a steep deficit left by Liberals, balanced a string of budgets during his time as Premier of Saskatchewan and brought in the country’s first universal health care insurance. The Saskatchewan model was endorsed by both the Conservatives and the Liberals for the whole country.
Focus on Education: The evidence is clear—education (especially early education) is one of the best ways to combat poverty and develop the country economically. The Ontario NDP’s policies make a nice complement to the federal NDP’s Child Care Plan.
- The ONDP supports implementation of a universal student nutrition program to ensure that all students receive a healthy start to each school day.
- The ONDP recognizes education as a fundamental right, is committed to removing interest from student loans, supports an immediate tuition freeze as a precursor to lower tuition, and would reduce and eliminate barriers to post-secondary education for Ontarians.
A recent UN ‘Report of the Innocenti’ looks at child poverty in a number of western countries. Those countries that emphasize education (along with fiscal measures that specifically address poverty) are more successful in reducing child poverty … and inequality. (http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/series/16)
Focus on Democracy: Both the federal and Ontario NDP will look at proportional representation as a means of assuring democratic elections.
The ONDP reaffirmed it’s endorsement of a proportional representation system for Ontario .
The federal NDP would implement a system akin to one used now in Scotland, New Zealand and Germany to ensure the seats a party has in the House reflect their popular vote. For more on the federal NDP’s suggestion for proportional rep: http://www.ndp.ca/news/conservatives-say-no-to-fair-elections-system.
Focus on the Working Poor The NDP, both federally and provincially, is well aware of the single most pressing problem facing almost half of all workers in Canada —the struggle to earn enough to get to the end of the month. This is an issue we in this riding have been concerned about for a long time. It is one of the chief drivers of inequality in our society and the NDP is the only party with the policy tools to deal with it. For example,
- The ONDP condemns the elimination of the Community Start Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB), which provided individuals on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program with additional funds every two years for things like last months rent when relocating, arrears, essential furnishings, and will continue to pressure the government to reinstate the program.
- The ONDP would actively campaign for an increase of minimum wage to a living wage, to be reviewed and increased annually at a rate to keep pace with inflation.
Join those who have already added their names to the NDP’s $15 an hour pledge at http://www.ndp.ca/up-the-wage.
Focus on the Environment The NDP rejects the premise that economic development and the environment cannot co-exist. In fact, favouring one over the other is a mug’s game—everyone loses eventually.
- The ONDP opposes the operation of Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline until we see a rigorous environmental assessment, a comprehensive emergency response plan, sufficient insurance, and all First Nations communities within 50 km of Line 9 have given informed consent
- The Ring of Fire should benefit Canadian industries and communities rather than offshore interests; it must result in economic and social benefit to First Nations communities; and its development must require consent from First Nations communities throughout the region).
- The ONDP supports a moratorium or outright ban on hydraulic fracturing in the Great Lakes basin.
If only it were that simple.
Remember … Liberals started cutting corporate taxes in the 1990s and Conservatives followed their lead in the 2000s. The Liberals drastically cut Unemployment Insurance to help balance their budgets and so has the Harper Government. Neither strategy creates jobs. Rather, both have served to create a precarious economy. Canada now has the 3rd highest rate of working age poverty among 17 developed countries.
Tommy Douglas, who’s head and heart were both in the right place, paid off a steep deficit left by Liberals, balanced a string of budgets during his time as Premier of Saskatchewan and brought in the country’s first universal health care insurance. The Saskatchewan model was endorsed by both the Conservatives and the Liberals for the whole country.
“The greatest way to defend democracy is to make it work.”
Tommy Douglas, 1951
“In Washington they have their hawks and doves and
in Ottawa we have our parrots.”
Tommy Douglas on the Liberal response to the Vietnam War, 1967
Contact the BGOS NDP Website: http://www.bgos-ndp.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bruce.Grey.OwenSound.NDP
Email: team@bgos-ndp.ca
Tommy Douglas, 1951
“In Washington they have their hawks and doves and
in Ottawa we have our parrots.”
Tommy Douglas on the Liberal response to the Vietnam War, 1967
Contact the BGOS NDP Website: http://www.bgos-ndp.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bruce.Grey.OwenSound.NDP
Email: team@bgos-ndp.ca