Left for Centre?

Voters in St. John’s Centre have a choice of two very different candidates. Most in the area are already familiar with Shawn Skinner since his involvement in provincial politics since 2003, and his term on the St. John’s City Council. The Liberal party is offering an alternative in the form of Lori-Ann Campbell-Martino.

Ms. Campbell-Martino is an alternative in any sense of the word. A young mother of two. One time supporter of the provincial Greens a quick read of her website speaks definitively of her activist background and experience. Her policy points heavily to clean healthy living and community involvement. Among her policy points she lists encouraging midwifery and long-term programs for addictions, encouraging organic agriculture and homeopathic medicine.

She is a classically trained musician, writer and eternal activist. When asked about her motives for running for the Liberal Party in these provincial elections she knows she is fighting an uphill battle but she speaks passionately about running to show her support for Gerry Reid. “Gerry Reid supports bottom-up leadership and is open to criticism and innovation. He stands up for what he believes in and is comfortable with his team members doing the same. He is educated in humanities, politics and philosophy and knows what he is fighting for.”

”I believe Gerry Reid when he states that he is looking to bring new ideas and perspectives to the Liberal Party. Currently the Liberal party remains flexible in its evolution, as it has historically been, and is open to change and diverse people. Through this campaign Reid has empowered me as a candidate to freely present my ideas and criticisms, particularly on matters of the environment.”

Ms. Campbell may indeed be the underdog in St. John’s Centre, but for those who are looking for a candidate with an eye for the environment and the social programs, a candidate who has been in the trenches and represents the left in a district that has no alternative representation from the NDP or otherwise Lori-Ann Campbell-Martino may be just what the doctor ordered.

(Update: Since writing this article the NDP has listed a candidate Jane Robinson - for St. John's Centre, but as of yet there is no information on this candidate)

http://www.electloriann.com/

Leader's Debate from CBC.ca

From CBC - Watch the Leader's Debate (in case you nodded off the first time)

Leaders Debate 2007

New Party, Everyone's Invited

The newly formed Labour Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is soliciting input. In a media release from party spokesperson Randy Dawe the party asks:

Please provide three points/policies/suggestions to improve your
Work / Community / Region / Province!

The Release which is very brief goes on to say:

We will never have all the answers! But we will not be afraid to ask
for help or ask the tough questions.

http://www.nllabourparty.ca
__________
newfoundlandlabrador.blogspot.com asks - what are the prospects for this new party? Do we need this or any other new party? What are your thoughts on the party's approach?

Master Debaters

(forgive the juvenile title)

The highlights and lowlifes of the leader’s debate.

Yes I watched it, although Ms. BNB lasted about six minutes. I suspect it was a common nap time throughout the land.

Most impressive in that format in my humble opinion was Ms. Micheals. I was impressed with her confidence and ability to speak on the issues despite being the newbie and essentially being a party of one. She also allowed due courtesy to give others their time.

All three leaders in fact made a good show. Good knowledge of the issues. Good attention to the often forgotten issues of rural Newfoundland and Labrador and Labrador issues itself.

The lowlifes? This is not a mark on the ability of either of the gentlemen but whenever Mr. Reid and Premier Williams debated, both points were lost to overtalking and rhetoric. The debates could have benefited from some better moderation.

Not a lot in the way of substance and nothing particularly new or exciting. If you taped it, poor a stiff one when you watch.

Exploits in the October Reign

Exploits is the hub of Newfoundland and Labrador, unique in having at it's core a number of strong non-coastal rural communities. Bishop's Falls gives rise to both candidates.

The incumbent is Clayton Forsey. Clayton faced Premier Roger Grimes in 2003 and lost, returning in a by-election in June of 2006 to take the seat. His name is yet to be made but he has managed to become associated with a stretch of pavement. Grand old NL tradition - your vote for a stretch of asphalt.

Mr. Forsey is challenged in Exploits by another Bishop's Falls resident Jody Fancey. Jody is an interesting prospect for Exploits, she has worked in rural economic development, and has started at the fundamental community level of politics as the mayor of Bishop's Falls. She was integral in negotiations to consolidate services with the economically strong Grand Falls-Windsor with the town of Bishop's Falls, however in the end amalgamation was not in the books. Her ace in the hole of course is that she has actually fought the board of education and won to keep a school open in Bishop's Falls! She has the unadvertised respect of our premier for that.

The prospect of a female representative from Bishop's Falls with youth, enthusiasm, and economic development experience is interesting for the region. In the Community Linkage Concept Committee (CLCC) we speak a lot about how to revitalize rural communities. Jody seems to have pieces to that puzzle. Exploits could be a coin toss. An opposition member from the rural hub of the island portion of the province could make for an interesting post-October provincial government.

Of course the real story here is in the Facebook numbers. As of writing Jody has the edge over Clayton at 140 to his 88 members. No worries there for Clayton though, most of the friends Jody's age are not in the riding. As a matter of fact they aren't even in the same province.

http://www.pcparty.nf.net/claytonforsey.htm
http://www.nlliberals.ca/fancey.html
http://www.nl.ndp.ca/candidates.php

Stephenville Hosts...

Gwynne Dyer, Ray Johnson, Rex Goudie are in Stephenville this weekend. Why?

Simonized - Part 1

We're starting to see a little flurry of election activity. Mr. Simon Lono's website is up at simonlono.ca. Complete with a shopping cart feature that lets users buy Simon Lono merchandise. Shirts and hats with Simonize, or Simon-ution or something like that. Hardly catchy enough for me to break out the wallet. Ambitious if not a little conceited.

The first thing you may notice on Simon's site is that his logo flys the Newfoundland and Labrador Flag upside down?! Simon who prides himself on his academic attention to language and communications seems to have made a big faux-pas. The golden arrow which is meant to point to a prosperous future instead points to a prosperous past?! Holy smokes - does that mean things are going to get worse?! God help us all.

Of course if Simon is the media maniac he claims to be perhaps the upside flag was intensional. Flown upside down is the etiquette for a country in distress. Simon you old sleveen is that what you are going for? Of course if this is the hidden message it is still hard to shake the provocative image of an upside down flag for the patriotic purist.

The election machine makes frequent stops, but at the very least it should be aimed in the right direction.

PC Campaign Buttons

Conceived by newfoundlandincanada.blogspot.com

Party Hearty

We are starting to see some interesting births in the province.

In September of last year I was a founding member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Defense League. One of the essential ideas of The League is that there is so much enormous untapped potential in this province that remain because of roadblocks in thought and policy. The NLDL decided that on a grassroots level all of the people of the province needed a voice that did not toe a party line. The NLDL has achieved some great success in attracting members, spurring debate, and driving policy.

Around the same time that the NLDL was being formed we had the pleasure of collaborating with the Community Linkages Concept Committee (CLCC) chaired by Ray Johnson of Buddy Wasisname fame. The CLCC has come into its own as a grassroots initiative group that drives discussion and debate about the sustainability of our rural communities, the education of our youth and opportunities for economic growth. Similar to the NLDL in philosophy it is non-partisan accepting ideas and members of all political stripes.

In the realm where advocacy meets political party we have the Newfoundland Labrador First Party. The NL-First are registered provincially as a party and nearing completion of their registration as a federal party. Although they are provincially registered and have campaigned provincially in the past party leader and president Tom Hickey says the party will not be running candidates in the upcoming provincial elections and that the party is focusing on a federal run.

Our friends in the big land of course have the Labrador Party. Passed off by some as a flash in the pan this group has proven it has legs. It has its greatest strength in the fact that the island treats the big land like Canada treats the province. As an afterthought at best.

Most recently there has been talk of a new socialist sort of party with shades of early Joseph R. Smallwoood. The announcement of this Labour Party is an interesting blip on the radar but we have yet to hear from anyone other than the party spokesperson. Could be a spark that ignites an inferno, could be another damp stone. Who knows - waaaay too early to judge on that one.

...and of course we have the standards. The Liberals, NDP, the PCs, the Blue Reds and the Red Blues and all the shades inbetween.

It promises to be a colourful autumn.

Election Looming


A slow drone rolls down from the cliffs of our rocky shores. Increasing slowly but ever deliberately, closer. The smell of old tobacco and printers ink drifts in the breeze. Must be an election coming. The weatherman forecasts Tory Blue skys, but of course we've never been good at predicting the future in these parts.

The Conservative machine is a juggernaut. With an approval rating of 70-80 percent for Danny Williams many are left wondering if there a viable opposition? Danny's strength is his perceived passion for Newfoundland and Labrador, his business sense and his iron will. His weakness is that he is not as widely popular West of the Overpass and North of the Striat of Belle Isle. Also his is a one man show, PC's Memories of Joey leadership sauce.

Most Conservatives can probably sleep easy. Fact is this will be one of those rare elections when a well-mannered moose could win. Get him a shirt that says "Team Danny" and have someone call Open Line to tout his no-resource-give-aways approach and he's a shoo-in. So don't be alarmed if you see one of these gangley beasts hopping your fence early in the morning, he is probably just delivering flyers.

As for the Liberals - oh Lord-a-Mercy Joey is spinning in his grave. Being a Liberal is suddenly out of fashion. The die-hard are taking a let-er-ride approach. Like Backjack that odds may be in the dealers favour but in Newfoundland and Labrador everyone is Liberal - we just like to vote PC once in a while. Hats off to the Liberal candidates, right now it's like being a Polka Star on Canadian Idol. There is an opportunity though right now for newcomers to the Liberals or NDP, with most of the old boys club running for cover there are gaps that may just allow some new blood into the fold.

With the election date set so long in advance the biggest challenge may be apathy. The Provincial Elections? Oh was that yesterday?!

We'll see. Politics in Newfoundland and Labrador is never dull. No fireworks right now but a couple of George-W style Tom Rideout "back-upable" quotes and the game will be on. I hope someone remembers where we left the puck.


PC Candidates: http://www.pcparty.nf.net/pcteam.htm#candidates
Liberal Candidates: http://www.liberal.nf.net/ (scroll to bottom)
New Democrates: http://www.nl.ndp.ca/candidates.php

NL First - www.nlfirst.ca (Registered but Not Running Provincially)
Labrador Party: http://www.labradorparty.ca (site down)