March 30, 2011
I know that I'm not a stereotypical Conservative. When people think "Conservative," they think of an old person, who is often religious, who hates change and doesn't have a sense of the world around them. I don't like stereotypes. I don't see a Liberal as an egghead academic,who looks down upon people from their ivory tower and thinks that they, as an "intellectual superior," are better than me.
I'm a strange breed of Conservative. You could call me a libertarian-liberal-Conservative. I don't like a lot of government - I think it is cumbersome and should stop telling me what to do and how to do it. I believe in supporting those who need assistance - but I also believe again that government isn't the only outlet that can fulfill this; community organizations, churches and individuals have a duty to reach out and help the less fortunate.
I'm a Conservative because I believe criminals belong behind bars. I believe that corporations, not government, creates jobs. I'm a Conservative because, after studying history, I firmly believe that a lot of problems that Canada faced in the latter half of the twentieth century (70's and onwards) were created by the policies of the Trudeau Liberal governments.
I'm a Conservative for a lot of reasons. One day, I will fit the stereotypical idea of what a Conservative is - I'll be old, retired and probably cranky about a lot of things. But for now, I'm content to be a twenty-something, living in downtown Toronto and still... a Conservative.
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Elizabeth May and the Leaders' Debate
March 29, 2011
Earlier today, the broadcast consortium responsible for arranging the Leaders' Debates announced that Elizabeth May would not be invited to participate. May took to Twitter, expressing her shock and vowing to get in the debate.
As we know, May was allowed to participate last time - but in 2008, the Green Party had an MP in the House of Commons, in Liberal-turned Independent-turned Green Blair Wilson. Wilson was defeated in the 2008 election and as such, Green representation in the House of Commons at dissolution of Parliament was zero.
Looking back to 1993, when two new political parties came to the scene, shows a precedent for requiring a seat in the House of Commons to be allowed in the debate. The Reform Party had Deborah Grey, elected in a by-election and the Bloc had a number of MP's, including Gilles Duceppe who was elected as an Independent.
As harsh as it sounds, the broadcast consortium is right - Elizabeth May is the leader of a party without a seat in the House of Commons and as such, should not be allowed to participate in the debate. Allowing her in the debate would set a precedent to include any registered political party in the country, regardless of whether they have representation in the House of Commons or not.
I respect Elizabeth May, but she shouldn't win this fight. Her priority now should be to run a strong local campaign in Saanich - Gulf Islands and get elected to the House, in order to justify her inclusion in the next debate.
Earlier today, the broadcast consortium responsible for arranging the Leaders' Debates announced that Elizabeth May would not be invited to participate. May took to Twitter, expressing her shock and vowing to get in the debate.
As we know, May was allowed to participate last time - but in 2008, the Green Party had an MP in the House of Commons, in Liberal-turned Independent-turned Green Blair Wilson. Wilson was defeated in the 2008 election and as such, Green representation in the House of Commons at dissolution of Parliament was zero.
Looking back to 1993, when two new political parties came to the scene, shows a precedent for requiring a seat in the House of Commons to be allowed in the debate. The Reform Party had Deborah Grey, elected in a by-election and the Bloc had a number of MP's, including Gilles Duceppe who was elected as an Independent.
As harsh as it sounds, the broadcast consortium is right - Elizabeth May is the leader of a party without a seat in the House of Commons and as such, should not be allowed to participate in the debate. Allowing her in the debate would set a precedent to include any registered political party in the country, regardless of whether they have representation in the House of Commons or not.
I respect Elizabeth May, but she shouldn't win this fight. Her priority now should be to run a strong local campaign in Saanich - Gulf Islands and get elected to the House, in order to justify her inclusion in the next debate.
On the lighter side
March 29, 2011
This isn't the first time the Prime Minister has sung, but I thought I'd share the latest tune.
This isn't the first time the Prime Minister has sung, but I thought I'd share the latest tune.
Monday 28 March 2011
The Social Media Election?
March 28, 2011
Early in to "Campaign '11," much is being made out of each party's campaign and the usage of social media. There is a lot of hype - with the Green Party saying it will conduct the most advanced social media campaign Canada has ever seen and statistics about each party's "Facebook Likes" and Twitter followers being analyzed. The Ontario Liberals use fRed, the Conservatives have Tory Nation. Heck, even Jack Layton and the NDP have gotten in on the gig, launching the Jack Layton iPhone app.
My background is in communications and public relations. I don't pretend to be an expert, but social media is not the be all and end all to a national campaign. We have seen its impact in local campaigns; remember the NDP candidate in Durham in 2008, who was forced to step down after making terribly racist and sexist comments on Facebook. But on a national level, social media will not win or lose an election for a party.
Ever since Obama used social media to motivate his base, politicos have looked at it as the master tool. It's not - especially for the Conservative Party of Canada.
Whether a seat is urban or rural, social media is not going to have a massive impact on a campaign, despite what the powers that be think. Picture, for a moment, the core supporters of the Conservative Party. What comes to mind? It's not a latte-sipping, bike riding resident of Toronto or Vancouver. It's a middle class family with not a lot of spare time, it's a senior enjoying their retirement years or it's a farmer. Now picture any of those people engaged in social media, aside from keeping in touch with friends and family!
This campaign is not about social media - it's about the economy and whether or not Canadians are sick and tired of the constant politicking that comes with minority parliament.
Early in to "Campaign '11," much is being made out of each party's campaign and the usage of social media. There is a lot of hype - with the Green Party saying it will conduct the most advanced social media campaign Canada has ever seen and statistics about each party's "Facebook Likes" and Twitter followers being analyzed. The Ontario Liberals use fRed, the Conservatives have Tory Nation. Heck, even Jack Layton and the NDP have gotten in on the gig, launching the Jack Layton iPhone app.
My background is in communications and public relations. I don't pretend to be an expert, but social media is not the be all and end all to a national campaign. We have seen its impact in local campaigns; remember the NDP candidate in Durham in 2008, who was forced to step down after making terribly racist and sexist comments on Facebook. But on a national level, social media will not win or lose an election for a party.
Ever since Obama used social media to motivate his base, politicos have looked at it as the master tool. It's not - especially for the Conservative Party of Canada.
Whether a seat is urban or rural, social media is not going to have a massive impact on a campaign, despite what the powers that be think. Picture, for a moment, the core supporters of the Conservative Party. What comes to mind? It's not a latte-sipping, bike riding resident of Toronto or Vancouver. It's a middle class family with not a lot of spare time, it's a senior enjoying their retirement years or it's a farmer. Now picture any of those people engaged in social media, aside from keeping in touch with friends and family!
This campaign is not about social media - it's about the economy and whether or not Canadians are sick and tired of the constant politicking that comes with minority parliament.
Sunday 27 March 2011
On Coalitions
March 27, 2011
Since 2008, "coalition" has become a dirty word in Canadian politics. I shared the shock after the last election when the Liberals, who had just come from one of their worst showings in Canadian electoral history, decided to try and overturn the results of the election, install Stéphane Dion as Prime Minister and welcome the NDP in cabinet.
Here we are, two and a half years later, and heading to the polls once again. As we know, Stephen Harper is using the coalition issue to garner support for the Conservatives, while Michael Ignatieff disavows himself of trying to form a coalition government.
The debate on this issue, in my opinion, is distracting. As we saw in the U.K., coalitions are a legitimate form of government in a parliamentary democracy. I agree with Harper, however, that the party that wins the largest number of seats, should form the government. That said, though, there is the potential in this election for the Tories to be returned with a minority, Parliament to return and the government to be voted down on the Speech from the Throne. It would be likely, in that situation, for the Governor General to ask the Official Opposition (likely to be the Liberals) to try and form a government that can command confidence of the House. In this situation, a coalition is necessary for the political stability of the country.
This election should not be about constitutional convention. Instead, voters should focus on their pocketbooks. Who is going to provide economic growth, keep taxes low and reduce the deficit? The Conservative Party of Canada. Do we need political stability to stop the insanity of constant electioneering in minority parliament? Yes. This election should be about economic and political stability. Those are the issues I want addressed - and to address them, I'll be voting Conservative.
Since 2008, "coalition" has become a dirty word in Canadian politics. I shared the shock after the last election when the Liberals, who had just come from one of their worst showings in Canadian electoral history, decided to try and overturn the results of the election, install Stéphane Dion as Prime Minister and welcome the NDP in cabinet.
Here we are, two and a half years later, and heading to the polls once again. As we know, Stephen Harper is using the coalition issue to garner support for the Conservatives, while Michael Ignatieff disavows himself of trying to form a coalition government.
The debate on this issue, in my opinion, is distracting. As we saw in the U.K., coalitions are a legitimate form of government in a parliamentary democracy. I agree with Harper, however, that the party that wins the largest number of seats, should form the government. That said, though, there is the potential in this election for the Tories to be returned with a minority, Parliament to return and the government to be voted down on the Speech from the Throne. It would be likely, in that situation, for the Governor General to ask the Official Opposition (likely to be the Liberals) to try and form a government that can command confidence of the House. In this situation, a coalition is necessary for the political stability of the country.
This election should not be about constitutional convention. Instead, voters should focus on their pocketbooks. Who is going to provide economic growth, keep taxes low and reduce the deficit? The Conservative Party of Canada. Do we need political stability to stop the insanity of constant electioneering in minority parliament? Yes. This election should be about economic and political stability. Those are the issues I want addressed - and to address them, I'll be voting Conservative.
Friday 25 March 2011
Away we go!
March 25, 2011
I thought today would be a fitting day to kick-off my first attempt at political blogging, since the government fell earlier this afternoon and the 41st General Election campaign is set to begin.
In case you cannot tell by the (obliquely obvious) title of the blog, I am a supporter of the Conservative Party of Canada and a resident of the City of Toronto in the riding of St. Paul's. Over the course of the campaign, I'll talk about local issues in the city, as well as explore the national issues and campaign news. I won't pretend to be an expert and I'll try to keep it amusing. If you're looking for balanced coverage, go elsewhere - this is unabashed conservatism here.
As for my own personal views on the issues, I'm fiscally conservative and socially moderate. I guess you could call me a Red Tory - except when it comes to issues surrounding law and order; when we're talking crime, I'm unabashedly right-wing.
I will commit, however, to maintaining a level of respectful debate. I have a number of Liberal (and liberal) friends who I have great respect for. Indeed, in the recent municipal campaign in my old hometown, I worked with Liberal supporters. I respect their values and passion, but I don't agree with them when it comes to federal and provincial politics.
Full disclosure leads me to tell you that I am also a former Conservative staffer, working in a constituency office in my old hometown for a Conservative MP and cabinet minister. I'll be spending some time assisting with her re-election efforts as well.
As we kick off this campaign, I hope you'll enjoy the posts and participate in the discussion. I look forward to it!
I thought today would be a fitting day to kick-off my first attempt at political blogging, since the government fell earlier this afternoon and the 41st General Election campaign is set to begin.
In case you cannot tell by the (obliquely obvious) title of the blog, I am a supporter of the Conservative Party of Canada and a resident of the City of Toronto in the riding of St. Paul's. Over the course of the campaign, I'll talk about local issues in the city, as well as explore the national issues and campaign news. I won't pretend to be an expert and I'll try to keep it amusing. If you're looking for balanced coverage, go elsewhere - this is unabashed conservatism here.
As for my own personal views on the issues, I'm fiscally conservative and socially moderate. I guess you could call me a Red Tory - except when it comes to issues surrounding law and order; when we're talking crime, I'm unabashedly right-wing.
I will commit, however, to maintaining a level of respectful debate. I have a number of Liberal (and liberal) friends who I have great respect for. Indeed, in the recent municipal campaign in my old hometown, I worked with Liberal supporters. I respect their values and passion, but I don't agree with them when it comes to federal and provincial politics.
Full disclosure leads me to tell you that I am also a former Conservative staffer, working in a constituency office in my old hometown for a Conservative MP and cabinet minister. I'll be spending some time assisting with her re-election efforts as well.
As we kick off this campaign, I hope you'll enjoy the posts and participate in the discussion. I look forward to it!
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