The Ramblings of Munro

Andre Picard's Top Ten for Researchers

2011-10-28T14:08:00.001-04:00

Rainbow Health Ontario held a conference today on Knowledge Transfer & Exchange. Andre Picard, the public health report for the Globe and Mail was the keynote speaker and he provided a top ten list of how researchers should deal with the main stream media.

1. Know your message.

The interpretation of your research is your message. You should be able to summarize your research in 21 words.

2. Be an advocate for evidence, don't be an advocate for the cause.

When you become an advocate to your cause, you diminish the research. Allow yourself to say some negative stuff to give your research some credibility.

3. Be selective and mix it up.

You have to aim different types of research to different types of media. An example is the Centre for Disease Control's use of the Zombie Attack to deliver their message. Have fun sometimes with your research.

4. Show me the money.

Spend time on the monetary benefits; money is the language of government.

5. Seek out allies.

Sometimes you need more than evidence to win over the public. Find a group that has common interest to ally.

6. Give the issue a human face.

Personalize the story - make the story about people and then the numbers back it up.

7. No surprises.

If you have news that's going to impact the government, tip them off to allow them to prepare. If you have good research, you will win the argument but you don't want to come across as sneaky.

8. Have some backbone.

Err on the side of the truth. Sometime it doesn't matter how much it will hurt, its important to know the truth.

9. Timing is everything.

Journalists are bad at getting background but when something flares up, it gives them context. If an issue arises that you have research for, that is the perfect time to send it out.

10. Watch your language.

Watch the jargon - keep it simple.

For more info on Rainbow Health Ontario, check out www.rainbowhealthontario.ca
Todd Ross
416 505 4740

Toronto Atmospheric Fund

2011-10-03T22:25:00.004-04:00

I'm honoured and excited to be named as the new Chair of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund by Toronto City Council.

If you are not aware of the work of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF), I urge you to read TAF's Blog and see for yourself how TAF "has been sparking action on climate, air pollution and energy use in Toronto for 20 years", and helped Toronto "save millions on energy costs and helped citizens to live greener lives in healthier communities."

Toronto Atmospheric Fund Blog

Walrus Magazine: Arrival of the Fittest

2011-05-23T20:28:00.002-04:00

Canada’s crime rate is dropping as immigration increases. Is there a connection?

Great article by RACHEL GIESE in the June issue of Walrus magazine on Immigration and the correlation to reduced crime rates.

"In times of social upheaval and economic hardship, immigrants are a convenient scapegoat, accused of bringing with them an element of deviance and criminality: they upset the social order, the line goes, steal our jobs and our property, and ruin our neighbourhoods. This would seem to be one of those times."

Check out the full article here.

St Stephen New Brunswick & Calais Maine ship building history 1800s

2011-03-06T11:24:00.005-05:00

St Stephen New Brunswick and Calais Maine had a vibrant shipping industry on the St. Croix River for over a hundred years which is now forgotten.

The St. Croix region is a major transportation route between the United States and Canada with an average of 6000 border crossings a day. The summer season sees a significant increase during tourism season.

When I lived in St Stephen, one complaint I often heard was that St Stephen and Calais were not able to entice people to stay and the traffic largely passed through en route to more popular destinations such as St. Andrews, Saint John, Fredericton or Moncton.

I would love to see both towns embrace the shipping past and recreate the ship building industry as a tourism industry.

Below is an exert from the book "Annals of Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick" By Rev. I.C. Knowton in 1875 which describes the glorious shipping past.

---

Calais and St. Stephen are located on the opposite banks of the St Croix river, at the head of the tide, about twelve miles from the magnificent arm of the ocean, St. Andrews Bay. The river has bold and picturesque shores, and varies in width from fifty rods to two hundred. The tide rises and falls twenty-six feet, making the river navigable for large vessels, twice in every twenty four hours. At low water, however, the river appears like a shallow stream running through a wide and deep valley. The bed of the river, made soft by vast accumulations of mud and sawdust, permits vessels of any size to ground without injury.

The principal export from Calais and St. Stephen has ever been lumber. The St Croix is an easy path to the ocean, and for bulky and heavy merchandize, the ocean road is ever the cheapest way to market. Hence, from the first, the lumbermen have required and employed a large number of vessels; and on account of both the size of the river, and the small cargoes desired by western purchasers, in the coasting line small vessels have generally been preferred. So long as the shippers of lumber were cramped for means, the freighting was done by vessels owned in St. Andrews, St. John, Portland, Boston, and elsewhere; but at an early day, the thrifty operators in the forest resolved to build, own and manage vessels in which to export their manufactures. On experiment, this was found to be good policy; and it was ultimately adopted by all who possessed the means. Seventy-five years ago the registry of new vessels was not attended to so faithfully, at least in this part of the country, as at present; but the following is deemed reliable so far as it goes:

In 1797, tradition reports a vessel built in St. Stephen, Alexander Gordon, and sold to Smith & Robinson, of St. John. If the story is correct, this was the first vessel launched into the river above St. Andrews. In 1799 and 1800, the schooner Anne was built in St. Stephen, for Joseph Porter. In 1803, Jarius Keene built for an Eastport company, the schooner Liberty, on Kilburn’s Point, Calais. This was the first one launched in Calais. About this time, the brig Aeolus was built in St. Stephen, for Abner Hill and Aaron Upton: and the schooner Boyne, in Calais, for Shubael Downes. Probably other vessels were built on each side of the river, previous to 1812, but I have not been able to find their names or owners. The war came; business as suspended; hard times followed; and we hear no more ship-building until 1818. In that year, Jarius Keene built the schooner Unity, in St. Stephen. He also built in Calais, in 1820, the schooner Boston, and in 1823, the Calais Packet.

For a few years, commencing perhaps about 1818, ship-building in St, Stephen was brisk and profitable, and quite an number of vessels were launched. Among the master-builders were David Eastman and a Mr. Godfrey from Stueben, Me.; and among the owners were William Porter and the Messrs, Clark. The Fingal and Wm. Wallace, the barque Cleopatra, and the ship Heroine, - the first ship ever built in town, - were successfully launched. But in 1823-4, in consequence of the stringent money market and financial panic in Europe, the ship-building business became so unprofitable that work in the yards entirely ceased, and several half-built vessels in St. Stephen, were abandoned and left to rot on the stocks. But the depression did not last long; the world needs a large fleet; and soon, the carpenters were again busily at work.

In 1825, Jarius Keen built brig Zipporah and schooner Sarah, in Calais, and brig Keziah, in St, Stephen; and the same year, O.P. Hinds built in St. Stephen, for James Frink, the schooner Henry. The next year, Mr. Hinds took down two of the rotting hulks, and worked over a part of their material into the two new brigs, Mary Porter and Pilgram. In 1827, Mr. Hinds also built in St. Stephen, barque Cereus and pilot boat John Campbell. In 1829, Mr. Keene built in Calais, the schooner Resolution; and Mr. Hinds built in St. Stephen, the brig Sampson. After this, the names of some of the vessels built, were, brig Royal William, St. Stephen, 1830; brigs, Eliza Ann, Nehemiah, Hester and Sir John Moore, St. Stephen, 1832; schooner Gov. Robbins, Calais, 1833; schooner Caribou, Calais, 1835: and soon after, schooner Freeport, brig Hebe and barque Stephen. Considerable building has been going on ever since; but for the names and dates, the reader must consult the Custom House records.

The following statement of the shipping interests in Calais, for 1874, does not materially differ from the average annual business of the past five years. One hundred and seventy-six vessels are owned in, or hail from Calais, and some twenty-five, from St. Stephen, During 1874, the river was open for navigation, 300 days.

Egale Fundraiser

2010-09-03T14:49:00.002-04:00

Don't miss this great event - Friday, September 24, 2010 at the Royal York Hotel
Lend your support to eradicate homophobic and transphobic bullying in Canadian Schools.
Special Guest is Georgina Beyer, the world's first openly trans Member of Parliament from New Zealand.

My campaign for Ontario Liberal Party Regional Vice President, Toronto Region

2010-08-23T16:38:00.004-04:00

I am running for the position of Ontario Liberal Party Regional Vice President, Toronto Region.

As an active member of the Ontario Liberal Party in Toronto, I want to work with the Toronto liberals, through the Area Coordinators, to ensure that we are strongly positioned for the campaign in 2011 with a victory in every riding in our region.

Please consider supporting me at the 2010 Annual General Meeting for the Position of Regional Vice President, Toronto Region.

If you would like to get involved in my campaign or would like to discuss, please contact me at todd at toddross.ca

Thank you

Todd

39' Pacemaker for sale

2010-06-01T17:51:00.005-04:00

I'm selling my 39' pacemaker boat .

I lived aboard for 3 years in Toronto Harbour and really enjoyed myself (although I had more friends in the summer than I did in the winter.)

I'm selling for $4000.00 but she needs a retrofit.

She's on Toronto Island and I'd be happy to show you - just flip me a note.

Thanks, Todd

craigslist posting

Please Sponsor Me

2010-03-22T09:27:00.005-04:00

This year I'm participating in two fundraising charity bike rides.

The Friends For Life Bike Rally is a six day 600KM ride from Toronto to Montreal to raise funds for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. I need to raise a minimum of $2200 to participate in the Bike Rally.

Please Sponsor me here: Friends For Life Bike Rally

The Cycle for Sight is a one day 140KM ride from Toronto to Collingwood to raise funds for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. I need to raise a minimum of $500 to participate in the Cycle for Sight.

Please Sponsor me here: Cycle for Sight

Speech from the Throne

2010-03-03T17:10:00.002-05:00

Here is a review of today’s speech from the throne.

When governments can't spend – they regulate. Here todays throne speech:

“Jobs and growth remain the top priority” (completing the Canada’s Economic Action Plan)

- Wind down stimulus spending & restrain federal program spending
- Freeze salaries & office budgets of the PM, Ministers, MPs and Senators
- Freeze dept operating budgets (salaries, admin and overhead)
- Eliminate unnecessary appointments to federal agencies, boards & commissions
- Work to create a national securities regulator (Need provinces to agree)

Regulations:
- Close unfair tax loopholes
- Strengthen laws governing intellectual property and copyright
- Expand investment promotion in key markets (including reduced restrictions for uranium mining)
- Open doors for venture capital and foreign investment in key sectors (Satellite, telecommunications industry)
- Reduce regulations for energy resources and replace with “simpler, clearer processes” for improved environmental protection and “greater certainty to industry”
- Restructure Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd
- Remove regulations for small businesses
- Regulate a new biometric passport
- Regulate judicial tools to fight terrorism and organized crime
- Regulation to allow EI for military families
- Reform regulations to support the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline
- Shut down unscrupulous immigration consultants
- Comprehensive reforms to the Refugee System

New spending
- Bolster Science and Tech strategy
- Launch a digital economy strategy
- R&D of new space-based tech, especially in support of arctic sovereignty
- Allow sole parents to qualify for the $100/mth child care benefit
- National strategy on childhood injury prevention
- Build on the creation of more than 85,000 sq/KM of national parks and marine conservation areas
- Create a high arctic research station
- Bolster the Action Plan on Clean Water

Legislation on:
- Fisheries Management
- Children’s food, medicine and toys
- increase penalties for sexual offenses against children
- strengthen the sex offender registry
- crack down on white collar crime
- new police investigative powers
- cut the number of “long, drawn-out trials”
- unpaid leave for employees of federally regulated industries who are victimized by crime
- safe drinking water and waste water treatment on reserves
- address gender inequality under the Indian Act (this is to comply with a court order)
- revoke citizenship of those who conceal war crimes
- Reintroduce drug trade legislation
- support legislation to repeal the long gun registry
- Increase the number of MPs in Ontario, BC and Alberta to represent the growing populations

Trade:
- Work with Forestry, Agriculture & Livestock for increased trade & markets
- Free trade agreements with Peru, European Free Trade Association, Columbia, Jordan & Panama
- Continue trade negotiations with EU, India, Korea, Caribbean & Americas

Things that don’t cost much:
- Legislate a Seniors Day
- Establish a prime minister’s award for volunteerism
- National day of commemoration on April 9 for the last veteran from World War I
- Plans to celebrate the war of 1812
- Ask Parliament to examine the wording of the national anthem to be gender neutral
- Establish Pier 21 in Halifax as Canada’s National Museum of Immigration
- Participate in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in April
- Supports a National Monument to the Victims of Communism
- Supports legislation to establish a national Holocaust memorial
- “take steps to endorse” the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Internationally advocate for global security and human rights
- “additional action” on the unsolved murders of aboriginal women

Immigration Refugee Hearings in Vancouver

2009-10-26T11:11:00.002-04:00

Sunday Update:

Friday: the remainder of the hearings were completed by 8 PM pacific time. The main news on Friday was the decision to release one of the detainees that happened earlier in the week but was not communicated.

The hearing took place on Tuesday but the decision was not communicated until Friday. The lawyer representing the claimant had filed notice on Wednesday that he was council for the individual but IRB - ID did not send the decision to the lawyer until Friday. The media attending the hearings (CBC, Globe, CP) were also informed by the IRB media coordinator on Friday of the decision. I spoke with the CBC reporter who said he requested Monday to be notified of any hearings but was not informed of the Tuesday hearing until Friday.

The hearing on Tuesday was conducted by IRB member Otto Nupponen who stated that CBSA had not done enough to establish this indivuals identity and on the secondary challenge that he was a flight risk the member stated the individual obviously had an interest to stay in Canada and was likely to appear. The decision released the individual once conditions were met by the individual. Conditions placed are that the individual appear weekly and whenever called upon, as well as provide ID documents. The ID documents were sent late afternoon on Friday by the lawyer and the lawyer was working with the CBSA over the weekend to have him released to family. I do not have an update yet if he has been released but the 7 day hearing should be scheduled for Tuesday.

There was confusion when the IRB coordinator released the information on Friday as the specifics of the publication ban were not released. There was some information that was released by media that later had to be retracted due to the publication ban.

Other updates:
- I am told that all detainees now have legal council
- Ministers council confirmed that all 76 have claimed refugee status
- All are now in possession of their CIC packages to be completed within 28 days.
- confirmation that families are now receiving calls and pre arrangeed visits by CIC to collect identification documents, photographs and testimonials
- the Can Tamil Congress has provided phone cards to all so they can contact family members as well as additional phone numbers have been provided where they can call for assistance. Now that they are lawyered up, calls are mostly requesting coordination of identification from family mostly in Canada, but also some in Europe and Sri Lanka.
- most recent report is that about half of the claimants do not have family in Canada but there are close to 30 families in Vancouver that have offered to take individuals in.
- CIC was working through the weekend to finish preliminary interrogations.
- legal council were not notified of interrogations so were unable to be witnesses.
- community members have circulated a document in Tamil to all detainees advising them of their rights.
- There are concerns on their mental health. One individual specifically is reportedly quite depressed.
- There are now photographs circulating in foreign media of the indivudual who was identified as being on wanted by interpol

Imigration Refugee Hearings in Vancouver

2009-10-26T11:01:00.002-04:00

Friday Update:

I attended two hearings yesterday, so far 16 individuals have had their initial hearing and the process is going slow, although it is likely to be streamlined for the remaining as the govt has established that they have not had adequate time to determine the ID of the individuals.

Detainees appeared via phone conference with an interpreter present. The govt had grouped people into 4 for their hearings but claimants council successfully fought to have individual hearings. The 2 hearings I attended began as a group hearing on Wednesday and were split into individual hearing on Thursday. The first hour of the hearing was to determine the publication ban - established media are permitted to attend but the hearings are closed to the public unless the claimants authorizes the individuals which was the basis of my attendance.

On Wednesday, the govt stated they would be proceeding on an argument that the individuals are a flight risk but they may also introduce an argument that they have not established identity. When we arrived on Thursday, the govt began with the ID argument and did not mention flight risk. The detainees council protested procedural inequity for his client as he had based his efforts on flight risk and not ID. The govt confirmed that they were not proceeding on flight risk for the time being but may introduce the argument at a later hearing.

In the end, the govt provided an opinion they not established ID and successfully argued later that the IRB does not have the authority to release the client but only to state an opinion on the govts efforts to establish ID.

The remaining three cases proceeded quickly as the govt provided the same opinion that ID was not established. All four were sent back for detention.

The IRB has indicated that they will be moving to evening and weekend hearings to speed up the process.

For the two hearings I attended, both had family that has come forward. A sibling testified that 3 siblings of the detainee are all Can citizens living together with their mother who is a landed immigrant in another province and they would welcome their brother to move in with them. They provided a copy of the claimants birth certificate as well as photos of the claimant with family members. the claimants council had these entered into the record for a future arguments on identity and flight risk.

The claimant also stated that the RCMP requested names of family members in Canada on two occasions. First when they were on the boat and again when they were in the detention centre. The family members who testified yesterday confirmed that no one has contacted them and they first heard their family member was one of the claimants was from the lawyer representing the claimant.

There is one minor being detained in a separate facility and BC youth services is involved. The minor has council who he has not been able to meet with yet - council will be attempting to meet with the minor today.

We are also told by people who have had contact that the other detainees ages widely range and several of the individuals are professionals.

Question that might be raised: As detainees are appearing via phone conference, why isn't the IRB also conducting hearings in Toronto? The IRB has used a translator in Toronto via a phone link but have not used any of IRB panel members to ensure that the individuals rights to a timely hearing are being met.

SpinTO on May 15th!

2009-05-05T17:53:00.001-04:00

SpinTO is YOUR Bike Rally Party on May 15th!

SpinTO is a major fundraising event for the Bike Rally being held at Mod Club on Friday, May 15th.

SpinTO
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 8:00 PM - 3:30 AM
The Mod Club
722 College St
Toronto, ON
Web: http://SpinTO.ca/

This event is going to be a spectacle! The theme is cycling, disco and 70s era Participaction. Imagine if the disco-era television show Solid Gold landed in 2009 Toronto and you'll have an idea of what to expect. This will include performances from burlesque troops BoylesqueTO and Skin Tight Outta Sight, as well as DJs, dancers, models, and interactive visuals.

This is a ticketed event. For more info and to buy tickets online, please visit the project website at http://SpinTO.ca/.

Bike Rally participants can use the promotional code SPANDEX for a discounted $10 ticket. This promotion code is good for a limited time and only for Bike Rally participants and their friends and supporters.

The Canada We Deserve

2008-10-08T22:08:00.003-04:00

Toronto Centre Liberal Equality Video

Marg Delahunty takes on Stephen Harper

2008-10-06T21:00:00.007-04:00

a Blue Sweater Vest

Plagiarist is an expert on intellectual property

2008-09-30T19:27:00.005-04:00

Owen Lippert is the most recent departure from the Conservative war room as he fell on his sword to protect Prime Minister Harper.

Ironic that he is the author of a Fraser Institutes book on Intellectual Property

click here for the speeches

Greenhouse gas emissions shock scientists

2008-09-26T07:39:00.000-04:00

Greenhouse gas emissions shock scientists
Carbon dioxide output is rising rather than falling, despite efforts to curb it. 'It's scary,' one researcher says.
From Times Wire Services
September 26, 2008

WASHINGTON -- The world pumped up emissions of the chief human-produced global warming gas last year, setting a course that could push beyond leading scientists' projected worst-case scenario, international researchers said Thursday.

The new numbers, which some scientists called "scary," were a surprise because experts thought an economic downturn would slow energy use. Instead, carbon dioxide output rose 3% from 2006 to 2007.

That amount exceeds the most dire outlook for emissions from burning coal and oil and related activities as projected by a Nobel Prize-winning group of international scientists in 2007.

Meanwhile, forests and oceans, which suck up carbon dioxide, are doing so at lower rates, scientists said. If those trends continue, the world will be on track for the highest predicted rises in temperature and sea level.

more

Carbon Is Building Up in Atmosphere Faster Than Predicted

2008-09-26T07:33:00.002-04:00

By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 26, 2008; Page A02

The rise in global carbon dioxide emissions last year outpaced international researchers' most dire projections, according to figures being released today, as human-generated greenhouse gases continued to build up in the atmosphere despite international agreements and national policies aimed at curbing climate change.

In 2007, carbon released from burning fossil fuels and producing cement increased 2.9 percent over that released in 2006, to a total of 8.47 gigatons, or billions of metric tons, according to the Australia-based Global Carbon Project, an international consortium of scientists that tracks emissions. This output is at the very high end of scenarios outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and could translate into a global temperature rise of more than 11 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, according to the panel's estimates.

more

Dion Campaign Diary day 17

2008-09-24T23:31:00.000-04:00

(Bar) Jack Obama

2008-09-24T22:51:00.002-04:00

NDP's Layton draws inspiration from Obama
Posted By JENNIFER DITCHBURN, THE CANADIAN PRESS

As election fever heated up in late August, NDP Leader Jack Layton headed south to Denver, to watch Barack Obama's historic acceptance of the Democratic party's presidential nomination.

He said he found inspiration in Obama's agenda of change.

---

... and he found some good lines

A new relationship with Canada’s first nations, inuit and métis

2008-09-22T23:00:00.004-04:00

From the Liberal Platform

Over the course of our mandate, a Liberal government will bring back the Kelowna Accord killed by the Conservative government. We will also fulfill the commitments within the First Nations-Crown Political Accord, the Inuit Partnership Accord, the Métis Nation Framework Agreement, and the Accords on Cooperative Development between the federal government and the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and Native Women’s Association of Canada.

Premiers and Territorial Leaders have also committed to build a new relationship and have called for the Prime Minister to hold a First Ministers’ Meeting on aboriginal issues. Regrettably, Stephen Harper has not called such a meeting after nearly three years in office. A Liberal government would hold such a meeting within the first six months of coming into office.

On the international stage, the Conservatives demonstrated their lack of concern and respect for Canada’s aboriginal population by being one of only four governments in the world that to vote against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This marked the first time in its history that Canada has failed to commit to a major international human rights treaty. A Liberal government will reverse this historical disgrace, sign and ratify the Declaration and show the world that Canada can be a leader in its treatment of its aboriginal population.

With the Residential Schools Apology and the start of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Canada and its Aboriginal peoples have begun to forge a new relationship. We now have an opportunity to strengthen this relationship and we must not miss it. But restoring Kelowna is only a starting point. Long standing grievances must also be addressed.

A Liberal government will be committed to renewing the Métis Nation’s partnership in Confederation. We recognize the Métis right to self-government and will convene a table of negotiation for Métis jurisdiction and authority, including lands and resources and economic and fiscal arrangements. We will not ignore our federal fiduciary responsibility for the Métis Nation and all Aboriginal Peoples.

Where modern land claims agreements exist, a Liberal government will respect and uphold the spirit and intent of these agreements. We will also work towards establishment of an independent body to resolve comprehensive claims and to ensure that self-government agreements are respected and fully implemented.

A Liberal government will also work jointly with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to establish an open and transparent process for the joint development of a federal policy for consultation and accommodation. As the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled, the federal and provincial Crown has a legal duty to consult, and, where appropriate, accommodate when Crown conduct may adversely impact established or potential aboriginal and treaty rights.

We would improve access to health care for First Nations children by ensuring
children in need of health care are not denied the care they need because of jurisdictional squabbles between different orders of government or different departments within the same level of government. “Jordan’s Principle” calls for the needs of the child to be put first, ahead of jurisdictional disputes. A new Liberal government will work with other orders of governments on a policy that would require the agency of first contact to pay and establish a mechanism to resolve the disputes - after the needs of the child are addressed. To resolve these disputes at the federal level, a new Liberal government will enact a Jordan’s Principle law, based on an existing Liberal Member’s Private Member’s bill, which will require the federal department of first contact to pay for the required services and to seek resolution later so that children are not denied the services they need.

Eliminating violence against aboriginal women will also be a priority. A Liberal government will adopt a nation-wide violence prevention strategy that allows for regional and jurisdictional flexibility in policy, programming and funding.

In recognition of the fact that a one-size fits all approach to First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations is unproductive, a Liberal government will work with aboriginal organizations to ensure the green shift takes into account their specific needs and realities. To assist in accomplishing this goal, a Liberal government will re-establish the First Nations’ Advisory Committee that the Conservatives abolished.

A Liberal government will also create a new Joint National Climate Change Advisory Panel to foster joint initiatives between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Métis and Inuit on climate change mitigation policies.

Facilitating the participation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the labour market is key to closing the gap in employment outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians. A Liberal government will ensure that the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy is renewed and that the national aboriginal organizations involved in this strategy continue to be its main stakeholders.

As a country we must ensure that we hear the voices of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in their own languages, and that these aboriginal voices and languages continue to enrich the cultural heritage of the world. A Liberal government will enhance the Aboriginal Languages Initiative to support the preservation, revitalization and promotion of Aboriginal languages and restore the unjustifiable cuts to this initiative by the Conservatives.

Aboriginal Peoples, who represent the fastest-growing part of Canada’s population and a significant portion of our country’s young people, must have full opportunities to help Canada thrive in the 21st century. This is a matter of social justice and a condition of Canada’s continued success.

We can not be intimidated by the scale of the challenge or discouraged by the failures of the past. We owe it to our children to pass along an even better country than we inherited from our parents and we will not do so as long as Aboriginal Peoples continue to be left behind.

Tory candidate Chris Reid is gone

2008-09-21T12:11:00.002-04:00

from Bouquets of Gray

Not all chummy chummy

2008-09-19T09:42:00.000-04:00

From CBC - Posted in Political Bytes Posted on September 18, 2008 09:03 PM | Permalink

Ever wonder how often Stephen Harper comes to the back of the campaign plane to hang with reporters, trade war stories and just chat?

Or conversely, how often reporters bump into him behind the scenes at the various campaign events and exchange pleasantries?

(eg., "So what IS your favourite Beatles song, anyway?")

For the record, so far with Harper, adding up all the instances in both examples and the grand total, including everything, is: once.

And that was when he came to the back of the plane before the first flight on the first day of the campaign.

It lasted about three minutes.

That was 12 days ago.

FYI.

—Paul Hunter

Its about the economy

2008-09-18T14:29:00.000-04:00

The Premier shuffled the cabinet this afternoon – the focus is to strengthen the team to combat a sagging manufacturing sector.

Michael Bryant becomes Minister of Economic Development & remains Gov’t house leader

Sandra Pupatello becomes Minister of International Trade & Investment (new focus on Investment)

Brad Duguid becomes Aboriginal Affairs Minister (from Labour)

Peter Fonseca becomes Labour Minister (from Tourism)

Monique Smith becomes Tourism Minister (from Revenue)

Revenue Ministry is merged with Finance (Duncan)

Moving Bryant to an economic portfolio strengthens the Economic team on the Premier’s front bench. Minister Bryant and Minister Pupatello will work together to attract new investments in the Manufacturing industry specifically but also in new high tech jobs and there will likely be a focus on Green jobs going forward.

I’ll be watching to see the performance of Minister Duguid. He is relatively unknown in the Aboriginal Community and the community is facing fatigue. There were high expectations from Minister Bryant but the resources were not available to address the numerous challenges. Minister Duguid is also the second Minister appointed to this ministry from a Toronto riding.

The beginning

2008-09-13T00:27:00.000-04:00

Reconciling people with the planet

2008-09-13T00:21:00.000-04:00

Green Party shut out again

2008-09-08T21:59:00.001-04:00

Harper strengthing the economy

2008-09-08T21:53:00.003-04:00

Christine Innes for Trinity Spadina

2008-09-05T15:09:00.002-04:00

This afternoon at a press conference at the Bright Pearl restaurant, it was announced that Christine Innes will be the Federal Liberal Candidate for Trinity Spadina in this upcoming election.

Many of you may know Christine as Tony Ianno's wife, community advocate, lawyer, and mother.

I could not urge you more to come out and support Christine! The camapign office is now open at 206 Beverly Street, just south of College (the Polish Combatants Hall).

Really hope to see you at the campaign office!!!!

(from my friend Erika)

Harper's love that dare not speak it's name

2008-08-30T12:03:00.003-04:00

Strategy for a majority government

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/488050

Oct 14 Election timing Snag

2008-08-30T11:59:00.000-04:00

Canadian Jewish Congress warns Harper against calling election that would conflict with Jewish holiday

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080830.ELECTION30/TPStory/National

Danny Williams VS Stephen Harper

2008-08-30T11:53:00.002-04:00

Premier Danny Williams says its the Green Shift versus the Blue Shaft in the upcoming federal election...and he says when the PM calls an election, the shoe will drop and he'll commence ABC....his "Anything But Conservative" campaign.

http://www.vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=30850

Federal Election

2008-08-26T22:24:00.002-04:00

Looks like the federal election is imminent.

The Prime Minister is desperate to get to the polls and has cancelled the Govenor Generals Trip to China (as if one snub to China this month was not enough)

Not sure what the PM fears most - the US election leaving him without George Bush
or if he fears the fallout from the Tory money shuffling scheme.

If the election is called next week, I'm really looking forward to the leader debates. I had the opportunity to witness Stephane Dion in action last week in Toronto (for candidates Rob Oliphant and Andrew Lang) and he was great. Dion has been so underestimated by negative ad campaign by the conservatives that he's going to impress a lot of voters during the election.

Now I'm going to sign up for the Liberal Victory Fund