Video of the November 15 Block Harper Rally in Winnipeg

Watch it here!

Winnipeg Rally in Support of A New Coalition Government

All are welcome to attend an event in support of a new coalition government!

Thursday Dec 4, 08
6:30 PM
Marlborough Hotel
Skyview Ballroom
331 Smith St

In the meantime, here is a little something to help you demonstrate your support. To accurately print a full-size version, click on the image below, save the file to your desktop, then print. Make as many copies as you can... affix them to your window, car, office door... anywhere you want and can!

Ten arguments against a coalition, and how to debunk them

Reposted from Facebook...
Originally posted by David Fernandes

Ten arguments against a coalition, and how to debunk them

1) The lib-ndp coalition is a 'coup'.

Actually, a coup is an illegal seizure of power. A coalition government is not only legal, it's constitutional, has happened before in Canada and is commonplace all over the world.

2) It's an 'unholy alliance' because it relies on the Bloc for support.

I'm curious as to what a 'holy' alliance is? The Bloc is a federal political party that advocates for Quebecers in the same way that the Conservatives are a federal political party that advocates for rich people. What's your point? The Bloc is left of centre and so is the NDP. Occasionally, when opportune, so are the Liberals. It is a strategic alliance, not a religious one.

3) The coalition is a cheap power grab by sore losers.

Political parties exist for one reason: to enact legislation that they believe is in the best interests of their constituents. Harper certainly tries. If one or more opposition parties decide they can agree on enough things to run the government, then power to them. Grab it. Both hands.

4) This is a 'socialist' / 'communist' plot to take over the country!!!!!!!

There's a great movie from the 80's called Red Dawn. Watch it. It all came true. The USSR parachuted in millions of soldiers into your neighbours' living rooms, and they all voted NDP and Liberal, Bloc and Green - well, ok, only 62% of them did. Lock your doors. They look just like you.

5) We need Stephen Harper right now because he's an economist

He's an economist that thinks that selling your country's public assets, bullying its employees and silencing its opposition is a plausible 'ways and means' to run a country in the face of the largest economic crisis since 1929. They have provided nothing in terms of economic protection for Canadian home owners and renters and nothing to Canada's largest employing industries - manufacturing and automotive. So, if that is the type of economist Harper is, I would much rather have a lawyer and a professor running the country. And if they can figure out how to work with a separatist party in a framework that is stable and progressive, than all the more power to them.

6) Ha! I knew it! The NDP-BLOC planned this all months ago - Jack Layton said so! It's a 'backroom scheme'.

Layton and Duceppe speak regularly as opposition leaders and made contingency plans like any other opposition parties do in a minority parliament. In fact, in 2005 the conservatives bloc and NDP were signatories to a letter to the governor general asking her to consider all her alternatives in the event of a dissolution of parliament - IE, the possibility of a coalition. The only 'scandal' here is that the tories illegally recorded and broadcast a private conversation, when they knew they were invited to it accidentally.

7) The people voted for Stephen Harper! You are trying to overturn the election results!

Actually, the people voted for political parties. They gave the tories a minority, which means, the prime minister must work WITH the other parties in order to pass so little as a fart. In Canada, our parliament has a sort of checks and balance system called 'responsible government', which means, the ruling party - the party that gets to form the government, must enjoy the 'confidence' of the house. Usually that means they need the majority of the votes to stay in power. The conservatives do not have a majority of the seats and have shown unprecedented (even for them) callousness and shortsightedness in their economic update and have lost the confidence of the house. Therefore, the GOVERNOR GENERAL must decide whether to call an election, or to give power to another group of parties.

8) Canadians did not vote for a 'coalition government'.

No one voted for Harper to act like a demagogic jackass either. The opposition parties, representing 54% and of the seats in the house - the majority - have every right to try and form a government. They will do so with a formal agreement that outlines how they will work together, and what legislative priorities they will have. Those priorities were voted on by Canadians and in fact more Canadians voted for the policies of the bloc, NDP and liberals than did the conservatives. Furthermore, those priorities will have to be a compromise of sorts between the three parties. This kind of negotiating ensures that policies that Canadians DID vote for DO get enacted.

9) The Bloc is a SEPARATIST PARTY!! THEY WANT TO DESTROY CANADA!!!

The Bloc is a FEDERAL political party that operates only in Quebec. And whether or not they are separatist, there is no way at all they could 'destroy Canada' by voting in the Canadian parliament and no way that the Liberals of the NDP would support a Quebec separation motion. Furthermore, the Bloc represent 65% of the seats in Quebec and are strong advocates of publicly funded and delivered social programs for all Canadians and Quebeckers, peaceful use of our military, pay equity and a long list of other progressive legislative ideas. A coalition would work with the Bloc to identify progressive ideas that they could implement for a 2.5 year period.

10) The NDP should not enter an 'unholy alliance' with the liberals because it will weaken their policies.

As it stands right now, the NDP is the fourth largest party in the parliament with 37 seats. Entering into a coalition with the liberals would give them 6 of 24 cabinet positions and would guarantee that at least some of their platform is implemented. The NDP could never accomplish this sitting by itself in opposition and frankly, it is high time the NDP start acting like a real power broker in parliament. That's why we elected them. And heck, what better proof of your ability to govern is there than governing?

Make Parliament Work!

A rally is being planned for Winnipeg...

http://www.makeparliamentwork.ca/

Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

More info soon!

* * *

The Conservative government introduced an economic and fiscal statement last week that failed to provide economic relief for Canadians or any measures to get the economy back on track.

The Harper government is also committed to trampling workers' rights and women's rights to pay equity.

Canadians need a government that shows leadership.

The opposition parties are acting in a responsible manner. They are not going to force another costly and time-consuming election. Instead the Liberals and the NDP are planning to form a coalition government, with the support of the Bloc Québecois in the House of Commons, to get this Parliament to address the economic crisis in a way that benefits workers and their families.

Let's support a coalition government that will get us through this economic crisis.

The Council of Canadians supports the call for a coalition government.

The Council of Canadians, Canada's largest non-partisan public advocacy group has just endorsed the call for a coalition opposition government

Read their statement here: http://canadians.org/08-Coalition/index.html

We believe that a coalition government is a legitimate and democratic option in this minority Parliament, that it would best reflect the concerns of the majority of Canadians, and that it is best suited to deal with the current economic crisis. We encourage our members and supporters to promote this call for a coalition government in their community.

The Council calls on the three opposition parties to defeat the Harper government in a non-confidence vote as soon as possible and to form a coalition government guided by a set of progressive priorities, including:

1. Agreement to proceed with the renegotiation of NAFTA, including seeking the removal of the Chapter 11 investor-state clause, the energy provisions, and water from the treaty.

2. Implement a Canadian energy strategy, which would address the environmental destruction of the northern Alberta tar sands, reduce eastern Canada's dependence on imported oil, and create the opportunity for Canada to become an international leader in developing new green jobs and publicly-owned renewable energy sources.

3. Implement a national water policy that would prohibit bulk water exports (by removing water from NAFTA), recognize the right to water through the United Nations, and ensure that water remains a public good not a private commodity.

4. Place an immediate moratorium on the establishment of any new for-profit privately-owned health care clinics in Canada.

5. Take immediate steps to introduce proportional representation to address the unbalanced results that come with the current electoral system in Canada.

An Open Letter to Canadians

The following letter was issued today by the leaders of the three opposition parties.

To proceed with a new coalition, they need support from Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean [C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.] Governor General of Canada.

The real majority of Canadians who voted AGAINST the CPC are encouraged to contact her by telephone -- 1 800 465-6890. Please note, you may get a message indicating that the necessary voice mailbox is full, so please send email, as well: info@gg.ca.

It is not too late to make Canada a better place!

------------

Monday, December 1, 2008

To our fellow citizens,

Canada is facing a global economic crisis. Since the recent federal election, it has become clear that the government headed by Stephen Harper has no plan, no competence and, no will to effectively address this crisis. Therefore, the majority of Parliament has lost confidence in Mr. Harper’s government, and believes that the formation of a new Government that will effectively, prudently, promptly and competently address these critical economic times is necessary.

The contrast between the inaction of Mr. Harper’s government and the common action taken by all other Western democracies is striking. We cannot accept this.

A majority of Canadians and Quebecers voted for our parties on October 14, 2008. Our Members of Parliament make up 55 percent of the House of Commons.

In light of the critical situation facing our citizens, and the Harper government’s unwillingness and inability to address the crisis, we are resolved to support a new government that will address the interests of the people.

Today we respectfully inform the Governor General that, as soon as the appropriate opportunity arises, she should call on the Leader of the Official Opposition to form a new government, supported as set out in the accompanying accords by all three of our parties.

Respectfully,

Hon. Stéphane Dion
Leader, the Liberal Party of Canada

Hon. Jack Layton
Leader, the New Democratic Party of Canada

Gilles Duceppe
Leader, the Bloc Québécois

Block Harper - November 15th Rally at Winnipeg Convention Centre

A rally will held at the Conservative Party convention at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on November 15th (12 noon) to oppose the Harper agenda and to support the majority of Canadians:

The majority of Canadians who want our soldiers out of Afghanistan, and for Canada to meet its Kyoto commitments.

The majority who oppose further integration with the United States and who want an end to the secret 'Security and Prosperity' or SPP talks.

The majority who want more affordable access to higher education, action to end poverty and homelessness.

Host: The Majority Agenda Coalition (of which Winnipeg's DoC is a part)
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: The Winnipeg Convention Centre -- York Ave between Edmonton and Carleton
Email: block.harper.winnipeg@gmail.com

Food for Thought

Electoral Reform: My Mixed Proportional System
http://www.publicbroadcasting.ca/2008/10/electoral-reform-my-mixed-proportional.html
Posted: 20 Oct 2008 10:37 AM CDT

Since last Tuesday's election Electoral Reform has been the hottest topic in the country. there are discussions about it everywhere you turn. Still, some people have real problems with the idea of proportional representation. Many are concerned that it would lead to a parliament filled with tiny parties who's power in a coalition would vastly outweigh their popular support. Still others don't like the idea of losing their local MP, they want someone to call with local problems.

Having given this considerable thought over the last few years I think I have a solution to the problem that no one will love, but everyone will be able to live with and, in a democracy, that's usually a good sign. The system I propose is actually a combination of first past the post, preferential balloting and proportional representation. It also adds 100 new Members of Parliament (I can hear the groaning already - but democracy is important and it's worth it.)

Before I get to the voting system I'm suggesting I'd like to point out a few other changes I think are needed to make our democracy work outside of the voting system.

• First elections should be held on weekends, giving people a full 48 hours in which to cast their ballots
  
  
• The management of debates needs to be removed from the group known as 'the Consortium' and made a matter of law, enforced by the CRTC. Any party receiving over 5% of the popular vote in the previous election must be included in the debates and debates must be presented to receive the largest possible audience. They should be aired in 'prime time' on all licensed Canadian stations (television and radio), re-aired at least once on a weekend afternoon and made available in their entirety online.
  
  
• The power of the Prime Minister must be scaled back so as not to infringe on the democratic rights of other members of parliament. Ethics rules need to be put in place to prevent any disciplinary action by a political party when a Member of Parliament votes against party lines. Additionally, it should be considered a violation of ethics for any party to prevent an elected MP or party candidate from speaking publicly on any topic they choose or to punish a candidate or elected member for such speech.
  
  
• Local Riding associations should have the sole power to choose local Candidates. Under the system I'm about to suggest, party leaders will still be able to have their 'star candidates' in parliament
  
  
• Civics courses, including the workings of government and the importance of voting should be a part of every school curriculum and should be re-presented several times over a student's academic career.
  
  
• The voting age should be changed so that interested young people can participate in the system (this too I will cover in the plan I'm going to propose.)
  

The Plan

It's election weekend, you head down to your local polling station to vote. It works the same as it always has, even the ballot is the same.


The first thing that has changed is you no longer put an X in the box next to your candidates name, you put a "1". Under this new system the need for 'Strategic Voting' is gone so choose the party you really, really like - what is most important in this election is which party gets that "1".

Now, having done that you pick the candidate who you would vote for if you couldn't have your first choice and you put a "2", then you pick the candidate (if any) you like best after that and put a "3".

You're done. That's all you need to do, the rest is vote vote counters.


Counting the Votes

In each riding the ballots are counted, initially they just look at the "1" and come up with a total for votes. If none of the candidates has 50%+1 of the votes, they set this original number aside (because it's important again later). The vote counters now take the top two from the first count, and go back to the ballots for other candidates. For ballots where the "1" vote was for a candidate outside the top 2, they count the "2" votes then re-total the numbers. If one of the top two candidates now has 50% + 1 of the votes they are declared the winner. If they do not have a majority though the vote counters once again return to the ballots. Looking at only the ballots where neither of the two top contenders was "1" or "2" they now count the threes. The candidate who is ahead at this point (50% or not) is declared the winner. That person is the candidate that most of the voters in the riding at least found acceptable, even if he or she wasn't their first choice.

Now that that's done the totals from that first ballot are brought back out. The "1" votes are the ones that will determine Federal funding for parties, they will also, in part, determine the proportional seats. I say in part because there are more votes to add here. While voters 18+ were voting for their local MP, High School students were also voting. In an effort to empower them and get them in the habit of voting they were casting 'party only' ballots - that is they were voting for which of the federal parties they liked the best. These votes are added to the "1" votes nationwide and a total emerges.

Let's pretend that the numbers were like last tuesdays vote totals:

------------------
Conservative 37.63%
Liberal 26.24%
NDP 18.2%
BQ 9.97%
Green 6.8%
------------------

The proportional seats are awarded based on percentage of the vote 1 seat per 1% rounded up (but a party would have to receive at least 1% to get a seat). So the Conservatives would receive an additional 38 members, the Liberals 26, the NDP 18, the Bloc 10 and the Greens 7. These 'at large' members would be appointed by the party and could be used to return members not elected to parliament, to fill gaps in representation (regional, minority etc), to fill gaps in expertise or to bring in those 'star candidates' I mentioned.

This is not, as I said, a perfect system. It doesn't give everyone what they want, but it does answer everyone's concerns - it insures that parties with public support get a voice in parliament, it provides an opportunity for minority voters (Conservatives in Toronto, Liberals in Red Deer etc) to be represented in party caucus', but at the same time it does not give undue power to small extreme parties and it allows people to retain local, riding level, representation in parliament.

Today's the Day

Today is the day, so please be sure to get out and vote! Polls in the central time zone - our time zone - are open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

To make the most of your vote to stop the conservatives, please vote strategically and remember the acronym "ABC": Anything But Conservative.

For more information about strategic voting and to find out the best "ABC" choice in your riding, please visit:

voteforenvironment.ca
anyonebutharper.ca

Messages from Allies

From anyonebutharper.ca

A full break down on goings on sometime tomorrow but for today I just wanted to point out a little reality. To alot of people the phrase "Strategic Voting" sounds alot like "Root Canal" but there is a basic reality facing us tuesday.

If everyone 'votes with their heart' instead of their head we're looking at

Conservative 141
Liberal 73
NDP 35
Green 0
Bloc 57
IND 2

If we vote smart we get: (please not the Liberals, Greens, and NDP all do better):
Conservative 97
Liberal 109
NDP 46
Green 1
Bloc 53
IND 2

See details at voteforenviornment.ca
or anyonebutharper.ca

If you've got a minute please take the time to pass this message on to your friends, groups, or whoever will listen.

What You Can Do in the Last Few Days of the Campaign

Hello DoC Supporters,

We are now in the final days of our campaign. These last few days are critical, and we wanted to let you know what you can do to make a real difference in the outcome of the election in the few days that remain. According to today's Globe and Mail, 25% of voters will decide who to vote for between now and when they arrive at the ballot box.

Here's What You Can Do:

1. Tell Everyone You Know About voteforenvironment.ca

There are 65 "swing ridings" in Canada, ridings where the race between the Conservative and a non-Conservative candidate are extremely close. Voters in these ridings have the capacity to dramatically shift the outcome of the election by being strategic about who they vote for. This website offers comprehensive, up-to-date riding-by-riding information on how to defeat Harper at the ballot box--a quick and easy and incredibly important tool for all voters, especially those in these critical swing ridings.

Please consider sending a message to your friends, relatives and contacts, similar to the one below:

With the election fast approaching, many people are concerned about Harper winning a majority.

The problem is that in many ridings, otherwise unpopular Conservatives are in danger of winning because votes representing the riding's primarily anti-Conservative sentiment are being split between several non-Conservative parties.

To prevent a Harper majority, we must vote strategically in these ridings.

he following website provides comprehensive, up-to-date, riding-by-riding information on voting strategically in ridings the Conservatives could win. Although it is obviously anti-Conservative, the website is otherwise non-partisan.

http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/

If you agree with this strategy, please pass this on to as many other people as possible.

Thank you,

[your name]


2. Pull the Vote on Election Day

Another important thing you can do is help "pull the vote" for the candidate in a swing riding who has been deemed most likely to beat the Conservative in that riding. "Pulling the vote" involves ensuring that voters who have previously indicated that they will be voting for that particular candidate actually make it to the polls on Election Day. For a list of swing ridings go to: http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/content/key-ridings. Click on the riding to find out which candidate you should pull the vote for, and contact their election office.

*Please note that candidates will require you to have some election training before Election Day, so please contact the election office of the candidate you wish to pull the vote for ASAP.

3. Remind Everyone You Know to Vote on Election Day

Another thing you can do is remind everyone you know to vote. First thing in the morning on the 14th, email and/or text message your contacts across the country with a friendly reminder to vote--and to check out voteforenvironment.ca before doing so.

If we all pitch in over the next few days we can have a real effect on the outcome of the election. Please take a moment to participate in some or all of the above initiatives.

Thanks for your support,
Department of Culture

A Message from the Winnipeg Branch of the Department of Culture

Dear friends, allies, supporters, and fellow Canadians...

Thank you so very much for your many contributions to our campaign over the past few weeks! Your generosity has helped us get the word out about destructive Conservative Party of Canada policies through many means including handbills, posters, events, and now an ad in the Sunday edition of the Winnipeg Sun.

Keep your eyes peeled for the ad below.

The money raised at the Wrecking Ball, This is Not a Conservative Party, and through various individual donations has made this possible. We really hope it reaches people who are on the fence... the ones who are planning to vote CPC because they're looking forward to a little (and ultimately negligible) tax break. The way we see it, cheering for crumbs in the form of small tax breaks is falling for a bribe that will cost more in the end.

To circulate this ad, please click on it to save it in its larger size.

Best,
Members of Winnipeg's Department of Culture

Labour and social movements have made a difference!

Reposted from: Rabble.ca, Thurs Oct 9

Labour and social movements have made a difference
By Fred Wilson

There is one very strong conclusion to draw from Canada’s five election campaign. Don’t draw any conclusions yet.

The trend is now negative for Harper, and positive for Liberals and the NDP. How far that trend goes by Tuesday is simply unpredictable, but this in itself is the excitement of these last days.

Three weeks ago when it looked like Harper would sweep Quebec, I suggested that we could only put our hope in the Quebec labour and social movements. They have delivered, and brought the country back from the edge of an abyss. A sweetener from Quebec is the imminent defeat of Jean-Pierre Blackburn in Saguenay – the Conservative Labour Minister who could not be more anti-labour.

In English Canada, my union has been better informed and more involved than in any recent election and I think that is largely true also for most of the major unions. PSAC was one of the first to turn the tide against Harper with its campaign on food safety. CUPE, Canada’s largest union, has met daily during the campaign to discuss how to strategically intervene with their membership on crucial issues. CUPE.ca today focuses on the war in Afghanistan and child care – two issues that have not dominated the party campaigns, but are vote determining for many people. The Canadian Labour Congress, which has been relatively quiet through the campaign while it focused on organization in priority ridings, is out today in 49 Canadian newspapers with labour’s political ads on health care, manufacturing jobs and forestry.

Other social movements have also stepped up and delivered as never before. The arts community has been passionate, articulate and remarkably effective. Harper’s attempt to scapegoat artists turned into a Conservative fiasco that is already part of Canadian election lore. One more initiative on the cultural front this week was a joint effort by CEP, ACTRA and the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting on the issue of Canadian ownership of media with ads strategically placed across the country. You can check it out at friends.ca or keepitcanadian.ca.

The grim and frightening prospect that loomed over us a month ago seems to be giving way to opportunity. Inevitably, “the ABC campaign” will favour both Liberals and New Democrats depending on the local scene. Elizabeth May seemed to accept that in her comments Wednesday.

Few will spend the long weekend paying attention to the frenetic closing gambits of the campaigns. It is now about organization on the ground, and word of mouth. Undecided numbers are in the 20-25% range, and a large percentage of those will decide with the ballot in their hand. Herein is the potential for the anti-Harper trend to turn into a wave. It should also be the motivation for progressives to be focused and purposeful, knowing that what we have done in our organizations and as individuals, and what we do over the long weekend and on Tuesday, makes a difference.

Messages from Allies

More from Anyonebutharper.ca (from a few days ago, but still very relevant!)

VIDEO
Just one today, and it's a big one. This is the video for "You Have A Choice"

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=slnN3GMy7Nc

by K-OS, Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent, Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace, Sarah Harmer, Hawksley Workman, Jason Collett of Broken Social Scene, Darren Dumas of The Salads and the Arts Offstage Choir under the direction of David Reed.

SONG WRITTEN & PRODUCED BY
Ian Lefeuvre (The Hundreds and Thousands) and K-OS

Lyrics all contributed by the artists. Additional keyboards are performed by Todor Kobakov from Major Maker. The track was mastered by Joao Carvalho.

PLEASE POST IT TO YOUR SITE(S) AND SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
(link to share)
http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=slnN3GMy7Nc

THE OFFICIAL PREMIERE OF THE VIDEO IS AT 7PM TONIGHT AT THE PHOENIX IN TORONTO AS PART OF "THIS IS NOT A CONSERVATIVE PARTY!"

http://departmentofculture.ca/concert/

If you're going, I'll might see you there!

It's just the long weekend to go folks, the fact that Tuesday is after the Thanksgiving weekend means people won't be paying alot of attention this week and voter turnout will be down on Tuesday (I'm sure that that is part of Harper's plan) so drag your friends with you to the polls on Tuesday, call them and ask if they've voted. For decades now we've said 'we'll do something about the environment someday', we've commissioned studies, come up with grand 10 and 20 year plans that fizzled but this is it.

I know people are concerned about the economy but have you noticed that when the economy is up they say we can't do anything about the environment because we'll kill the strong economy, when it's down they say we can't do anything because we'll damage it more. But virtually every reasonable economist in Canada, and most environmentalists agree that a Carbon Tax would actually be GOOD for the economy.

The time to do something about the environment is no longer someday, it is not, over the next 5 years, it is not 'when the economy improves' it is TUESDAY!

Vote with your heart, but don't leave your head completely out of the equation. Vote to remove Stephen Harper.


NEWS:

Alberta Premiere Calls for Economic Meeting With Counterpart: Contradicts Harper
http://tinyurl.com/3jlcnn

Oil sands will pollute Great Lakes, report warns
http://tinyurl.com/4ykb8p

Flaherty Suddenly Cares About the Economy
http://www.publicbroadcasting.ca/2008/10/you-cant-trust-conservatives-with-money.html

Elizabeth May Endorses Strategic Voting in Close Races
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081008.welxngreens1009/BNStory/politics/home?cid=al_gam_mostemail

Canadian researchers call for end to 'politicization' of science
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/10/09/scientists-letter.html?ref=rss

Canadians prefer national child care system to monthly allowance 2 to 1 according to Nanos poll
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2008/09/c4801.html

POLLS:

CPAC-Nanos Conservatives 33% (no change) Liberals 29% (no change) NDP 20% (no change) Bloc 10% (-1) Greens 7% (no change) Undecided 15% (-1)
While the Conservatives and/or Liberals were up or down 1 - 2 points here and there it was within the margin of error. Statistically significant NDP +4% in Quebec, Conservatives -6% in Atlantic Canada.

Also in terms of "Leadership Indicators" Harper lost ground on Trust, Competence and Vision for Canada while Dion gained in all 3 areas.

http://www.nanosresearch.com/election/CPAC-Nanos-October-9-2008E.pdf

According to the Canadian PRess/Harris-Decima poll
Conservatives 32% (+1) Liberals 27% (no change) NDP 19% (-1) Green 12 % (no change) Bloc 8% (no change)

So - it is the 15% undecided that we need to convince, and strategic voters.

Messages from Allies

Vote Strategically!

From Anyonebutharper.ca
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=se4G8t_o0T8
http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=se4G8t_o0T8

Video from Alberta Artist Richard Sixto on Harper, the Military, the Arts the Media, the Environment and more
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu9XE4fZZEQ
(link to share)
http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu9XE4fZZEQ

Also, thank you all for watching and sharing the "You Have a Choice" video from yesterday. So far it has been seen (after 1 day) by 11,433 people and has a 5 star rating!

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=slnN3GMy7Nc&feature=related


NEWS

Conservatives Bail Out Banks
They are trying to sell it as an investment, but what they are actually doing is buying 25 billion dollars in questionable mortgages.
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/10/10/flaherty-banks.html

A Green Candidate in Quebec has withdrawn to help the Liberals
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/10/09/green-liberal.html

Duceppe Calls Harper on His Linguistic Double Standard
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/10/10/duceppe-dion.html?ref=rss


POLLS

CPAC Nanos
Conservatives 33% (no change) Liberals 27% (-2) NDP 22% (+2) Bloc 10 (no Change) Green 8 (+1)
other points of interest - the Tories are down 2 points to 16 in Quebec but they are up 4 to 32 in Ontario with the Liberals down 6 to 33.

Canadian Press Harris-Decim
Shows a Conservative Rebound
Conservatives 34% (+2 up 3 over 2 day) Liberals 26 (-1) NDP 18 (-1) Bloc 9 (+1) Greens 12 (no change)

At the Department of Culture we're giving thanks...

But before we do, please visit DepartmentofCulture.ca to read three important things you can do in these final days:

1. Pull the Vote on Election Day
2. Play Phone Tag with residents of Whitby-Oshawa
3. Tell Everyone You Know About voteforenvironment.ca

We are now in the final days of our campaign. The Conservatives are going down in the polls are we are feeling energized. These last few days are critical, and we wanted to let you know what you can do to make a real difference in the outcome of the election in the few days that remain:

1. Pull the Vote on Election Day
One of the most important things you can do is help "pull the vote" for the candidate in a swing riding who has been deemed most likely to beat the Conservative in that riding. "Pulling the vote" involves ensuring that voters who have previously indicated that they will be voting for that particular candidate actually make it to the polls on election day. For a list of swing ridings (ridings where the race between the Conservative and non-Conservative candidate are extremely close), go to: http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/content/key-ridings . Click on the riding to find out which candidate you should pull the vote for, and contact their election office.

Please note that candidates will require you to have some election training before election day, so please contact the election office of the candidate you wish to pull the vote for ASAP.

2. Play Phone Tag with residents of Whitby-Oshawa
This Thanksgiving weekend, express your thanks for all that you love about this country by helping to kick a turkey out of Parliament. Help put a wrench in Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's election campaign from the comfort of your own home by playing "phone tag" with residents of his riding of Whitby-Oshawa. We're just putting the finishing touches on this initiative--keep an eye on our website for its launch on October 9th.


3. Tell Everyone You Know About voteforenvironment.ca
There are 65 "swing ridings" in Canada. Voters in these ridings have the capacity to dramatically shift the outcome of the election by being strategic about who they vote for. This website offers comprehensive, up-to-date riding-by-riding information on how to defeat Harper at the ballot box--an important tool for all voters, especially those in these critical swing ridings.

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We also thought we should take a moment to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has given their time, passion, and imagination so generously.

We've made new friends and allies, learned a huge amount, and have been inspired by the overwhelming talents and dedication of all the artists and organizations who have worked so hard both in association with Department of Culture, and on their own, creating their own organizations, developing their own initiatives, making artwork, attending rallies, canvassing, and just talking up the issues. Your efforts have been incredible, and we thank you for all that you've done. We look forward to seeing where this wonderful energy and momentum will lead in the days, months and years following the election--we hope it doesn't stop here. Don't forget to vote on the 14th. And on Election night get together with friends, family, and colleagues to see just how much difference we made. In Toronto, we'll be celebrating at the Gladstone, starting at 8pm. We invite you to join us in raising a glass to our country, all that we've accomplished over the past month, and the future that lies ahead. We are anticipating that there will be much to celebrate.

In solidarity,
Department of Culture

Open Letter from Canadian Economists on the Current Economic Crisis and the Appropriate Government Response

Reposted from an e-newsletter circulated by the CCPA

The deepening global financial crisis, the decline in world commodity prices, and the growing possibility of global recession are exposing worrisome weaknesses in Canada’s economy. Complacent expressions of faith in our “fundamentals,” and other varieties of economic denial, will not protect Canadians from the coming storm.

Canada’s Economic Fundamentals are Anything but Strong

Macroeconomic performance has weakened dramatically since the current government came to power at the beginning of 2006. Economic growth has largely stalled. Productivity has declined. The recent expansion was largely propelled by high commodity prices and a housing bubble – both of which are now ending.

Labour markets have weakened, and employment is poised to decline further as the slowdown takes hold. Some sectors have already been badly hit. Over 300,000 jobs in manufacturing have been lost. Yet less than 40% of unemployed workers qualify for Employment Insurance benefits.

Excluding petroleum and minerals, our international trade performance has deteriorated. Incomes for corporations, governments, and some households have been inflated for a time by record global commodity prices. But over-reliance on resource extraction is not a sustainable basis for our future economic progress. Meanwhile, in large part as a consequence of this growing resource reliance, Canada has failed miserably to do its part in the urgent global effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Although Canadian financial institutions did not engage as aggressively in risky practices as their U.S. counterparts, the Bank of Canada has already had to step in to provide many billions of dollars in short-term liquidity. Credit conditions in Canada are becoming more uncertain, restricted, and costly, and this will inevitably constrain spending and output in the months ahead.

Canadian households are more indebted than ever, with $1.25 of debt for every dollar of disposable income. Amid gloomy headlines, falling stock and housing prices, and precarious household finances, Canadians are starting to cut back on consumer spending.

Many Canadians did not benefit much during the good times: poverty rates in Canada did not meaningfully decline and real wages have hardly increased at all, even while corporate profits surged to all-time highs. But the prospect of recession now threatens all of us with hardship – whether we shared in the good times or not.

Crisis Demands an Active Government Response

The general approach of Canadian economic policy in recent years has been to reduce the scope of government (through tax cuts, deregulation, and privatization), ratify the growing resource orientation of Canada’s economy, and squander the chance to use revenue from the resource boom to enhance long-run productivity, prosperity, and stability. Some politicians wish to further reduce the size and influence of the public sector.

The dramatic events of recent weeks have destroyed the idea that markets are best left to their own, unregulated devices. The enormous costs of this complacency have been clearly demonstrated. Government and its institutions must now show leadership and play a more active role in stabilizing financial markets, stimulating real investment, and maintaining employment and incomes.

The spreading downturn in both the financial and the real sides of the economy is likely to undermine spending and employment levels in many regions and sectors of Canada’s economy. Income support measures, employment insurance in particular, should be strengthened. In addition, public infrastructure projects, including those aimed at reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and expanding affordable housing, should be ramped up to maintain employment and production (as private-sector activity declines).

The federal budget is narrowly balanced, and may slip into deficit (especially if real GDP begins to decline). The current government has pledged to prevent such a deficit at all costs, and this will mean significant cuts to public spending as the budget balance deteriorates. But that course of action would worsen the economic downturn and job losses. It is far better to maintain public programs to support employment and incomes, even at the cost of a cyclical deficit.

The Bank of Canada must continue to support the financial industry with liquidity, and should reduce interest rates to stimulate borrowing. But the government must also explore other avenues (including the use of public institutions, like the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada, and other conduits) to expand lending to households and businesses. At the same time, the financial industry must be re-regulated to prevent the unproductive speculative excesses that caused the current crisis.

The global economy is heading into a challenging, dangerous period – perhaps the worst crisis since the 1930s. Canada cannot expect to be immune from those global developments. Economic history teaches us that government intervention is essential in times of crisis: both to stabilize markets and to shorten downturns with counter-cyclical measures.

Signed by: 85 economists
http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2008/10/07/open-letter/
--
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
410-75 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7
tel: 613-563-1341 fax: 613-233-1458
email: info@policyalternatives.ca
http://www.policyalternatives.ca

An open letter to Prime Minister Harper by Wajdi Mouawad

This open letter to the Prime Minister was published in Le Devoir a few weeks ago; the translation is thanks to John van Burek. We just realized that we'd not included it here as well, for all of you to read, in case you haven't already.

***

Monsieur le premier ministre,

We are neighbours. We work across the street from one another. You are Prime Minister of the Parliament of Canada and I, across the way, am a writer, theatre director and Artistic Director of the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre (NAC). So, like you, I am an employee of the state, working for the Federal Government; in other words, we are colleagues.

Let me take advantage of this unique position, as one functionary to another, to chat with you about the elimination of some federal grants in the field of culture, something that your government recently undertook.

Indeed, having followed this matter closely, I have arrived at a few conclusions that I would like to publicly share with you since, as I'm sure you will agree, this debate has become one of public interest.

The Symbolism

Firstly, it seems that you might benefit by surrounding yourself with counsellors who will be attentive to the symbolic aspects of your Government's actions. I am sure you know this but there is no harm in reminding ourselves that every public action denotes not only what it is but what it symbolises.

For example, a Prime Minister who chooses not attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, claiming his schedule does not permit it, in no way reduces the symbolism which says that his absence might signify something else. This might signify that he wishes to denote that Canada supports the claims of Tibet . Or it might serve as a sign of protest over the way in which Beijing deals with human rights. If the Prime Minister insists that his absence is really just a matter of timing, whether he likes it or not, this will take on symbolic meaning that commits the entire country. The symbolism of a public gesture will always outweigh the technical explanations.

Declaration of war

Last week, your government reaffirmed its manner of governing unilaterally, this time on a domestic issue, in bringing about reductions in granting programs destined for the cultural sector. A mere matter of budgeting, you say, but one which sends shock waves throughout the cultural milieu ­rightly or wrongly, as we shall see- for being seen as an expression of your contempt for that sector. The confusion with which your Ministers tried to justify those reductions and their refusal to make public the reports on the eliminated programs, only served to confirm the symbolic significance of that contempt. You have just declared war on the artists.

Now, as one functionary to another, this is the second thing that I wanted to tell you: no government, in showing contempt for artists, has ever been able to survive. Not one. One can, of course, ignore them, corrupt them, seduce them, buy them, censor them, kill them, send them to camps, spy on them, but hold them in contempt, no. That is akin to rupturing the strange pact, made millennia ago, between art and politics.

Contempt

Art and politics both hate and envy one another; since time immemorial, they detest each other and they are mutually attracted, and it's through this dynamic that many a political idea has been born; it is in this dynamic that sometimes, great works of art see the light of day. Your cultural politics, it must be said, provoke only a profound consternation. Neither hate nor detestation, not envy nor attraction, nothing but numbness before the oppressive vacuum that drives your policies.

This vacuum which lies between you and the artists of Canada , from a symbolic point of view, signifies that your government, for however long it lasts, will not witness either the birth of a political idea or a masterwork, so firm is your apparent belief in the unworthiness of that for which you show contempt. Contempt is a subterranean sentiment, being a mix of unassimilated jealousy and fear towards that which we despise. Such governments have existed, but not lasted because even the most detestable of governments cannot endure if it hasn't the courage to affirm what it actually is.

Why is this?

What are the reasons behind these reductions, which are cut from the same cloth as those made last year on the majority of Canadian embassies, who saw their cultural programming reduced, if not eliminated? The economies that you have made are ridiculously small and the votes you might win with them have already been won. For what reason, then, are you so bent on hurting the artists by denying them some of their tools? What are you seeking to extinguish and to gain?

Your silence and your actions make one fear the worst for, in the end, we are quite struck by the belief that this contempt, made eloquent by your budget cuts, is very real and that you feel nothing but disgust for these people, these artists, who spend their time by wasting it and in spending the good taxpayers money, he who, rather than doing uplifting work, can only toil.

And yet, I still cannot fathom your reasoning. Plenty of politicians, for the past fifty years, have done all they could to depoliticise art, to strip it of its symbolic import. They try the impossible, to untie that knot which binds art to politics. And they almost succeed! Whereas you, in the space of one week, have undone this work of chloroforming, by awakening the cultural milieu, Francophone and Anglophone, and from coast to coast. Even if politically speaking they are marginal a nd negligible, one must never underestimate intellectuals, never underestimate artists; don't underestimate their ability to do you harm.

A grain of sand is all-powerful.

I believe, my dear colleague, that you yourself have just planted the grain of sand that could derail the entire machine of your electoral campaign. Culture is, in fact, nothing but a grain of sand, but therein lays its power, in its silent front. It operates in the dark. That is its legitimate strength.

It is full of people who are incomprehensible but very adept with words. They have voices. They know how to write, to paint, to dance, to sculpt, to sing, and they won't let up on you. Democratically speaking, they seek to annihilate your policies. They will not give up. How could they?

You must understand them: they have not had a clear and common purpose for a very long time, for such a long time that they have no common cause to defend. In one week, by not controlling the symbolic importance of your actions, you have just given them passion, anger, rage.

The resistance that will begin today, and to which my letter is added, is but a first manifestation of a movement that you yourself have set in motion: an incalculable number of texts, speeches, acts, assemblies, marches, will now be making themselves heard. They will not be exhausted.

Some of these will, perhaps, following my letter, be weakened but within each word, there will be a spark of rage, relit, and it is precisely the addition of these tiny instances of fire that will shape the grain of sand that you will never be able to shake. This will not settle down, the pressure will not be diminished.

Monsieur le premier ministre, we are neighbours. We work across the street from one another. There is nothing but the Cenotaph between our offices, and this is as it should be because politics and art have always mirrored one another, each on its own shore, each seeing itself in the other, separated by that river where life and death are weighed at every moment.

We have many things in common, but an artist, contrary to a politician, has nothing to lose, because he or she does not make laws; and if it is prime ministers who change the world, it's the artist who will show this to the world. So do not attempt, through your policies, to blind us, Monsieur le premier ministre; do not ignore that reflection on the opposite shore, do not plunge us further into the dark. Do not diminish us.

Wajdi Mouawad

Bad Dates With Stephen Harper - Pamela Sinha

Department of Culture, Right Across Canada!!

Dear friends,

The Department of Culture is a growing community of Canadian cultural workers who are dedicated to ensuring the health and prosperity of our nation in the context of a crucial federal election, and in reaction to a political party that is aggressively undermining the values that have defined Canada for decades.

The Department of Culture does not support a particular political party. We are a national network of concerned citizens affected by the destruction of health care, public services, safe food and water, child care, labour laws, women's rights, public education, the environment and thoughtful culture. We are fighting for economic, social, and political justice for all.

We urge you to vote on October 14; if you are wondering who to support in order to have the most impact in your riding, we highly recommend the website Vote For Environment, a comprehensive resource that will help you make an educated decision about the best use of your vote. Over the week ahead, please take a moment to share this information with friends, colleagues, and relatives, especially those in ridings where the race is tight, and a seat can be taken from the Conservatives.

There is a wealth of cultural activity inspired by the election taking place across the country this week; events that voice the opinions and celebrate the contributions of hundreds of ordinary Canadians. Please join us at The Wrecking Ball and This is NOT a Conservative Party! in your city.

respectfully yours,
Naomi

Monday, October 6: The Wrecking Ball

The Wrecking Ball goes national. That means there will be live events in major cities across Canada: All at Once, All on the Same Day, All Political, All New, All Written Expressly FOR the Federal Election. All thrown up by 100% Canadian actors, writers, directors and technicians in their gala niches from coast to coast. Proceeds go to support Department of Culture.

CORNER BROOK at The Backlot, box office at 10:00pm; show at 10:30pm

HALIFAX at The Bus Stop Theatre 2203 Gottingen St. Halifax; box office at 7:30pm; show at 8:00pm

MONTREAL at MainLine Theatre 3997 boul. St. Laurent; box office at 7:00pm; show at 8:00pm

OTTAWA at Saint Brigid's Centre, 314 St. Patrick St.(at Cumberland); box office at 7:00pm; show at 8:00pm

TORONTO at Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave.; doors at 7:00pm; show at 8:00pm

WINNIPEG at Prairie Theatre Exchange, Colin Jackson Studio, Unit Y300 - 393 Portage Ave., 3rd Floor, Portage Place; box office at 7:00pm; show at 8:00pm

CALGARY at the Epcor Centre's Jack Singer Lobby, 205 8th Ave. SE; box office at 7:00pm; show at 8:00pm

EDMONTON at The Varscona Theatre, 10329 83rd Ave.; box office at 7:30pm; show at 8:00pm

VANCOUVER at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage 2750 Granville St.; box office at 6:00pm; show starts at 9:00pm immediately following an All-Party Forum and Press Conference at 7:00pm

VICTORIA at the Belfry Arts Centre 1291 Gladstone Ave; box office at 7:45pm; show at 8:00pm

with Vikki Anderson, Margaret Atwood, Nancy Barry, Belladonna, Amélie Bisson, Wes Borg, Ardith Boxall, Andrea Boyd, Pierre Brault, Petrina Bromley, Jenn Brown, Gaylene Buckle, Ken Cameron, Rick Chafe, Ellen Close, Kim Collier, Chris Craddock, Tyrell Crews, Danielle Desormeaux, Julian Doucet, Katrina Dunn, Ciaran Dyke, Dennis Eberts, David Fennario, David Ferry, Neil Fleming, Lucia Frangioni, Anna Fuerstenberg, Bruce Godfree, Sandy Gow, Stephen Hair, Koby Rogers Hall, Stacie Harrison, Michael Healey, Fiona Highet, Kate Hurman, David Jansen, Jillian Keiley, Joey Keithley, Allison Kelly, Amanda Kelly, Jamie Konchak, Leslea Kroll, Trevor Leigh, Ian Leung, Hardee Lineham, Ieva Lucs, Ryan Luhning, Kate Lynch, Danette Mackay, Ruth Madoc-Jones, Simon Mallett, John Mann, Julia Tamiko Manning, Ross Manson, Ava Jane Markus, Doug McKeag, Sarah Migneron, Julie Mortensen, Wajdi Mouawad, Michael Nathanson, Oni the Haitian Sensation!, Teresa Pavlinek, Matthew Payne, Judi Pearl, Valerie Ann Pearson, Ellen Peterson, Valerie Planche, Gray Powell, Deb Pickman, Donavan Purcell, Bill Richardson, Andrea Ritchie, Rick Roberts, Lara Robinson, Michael Rubenfeld, Michèle Lonsdale Smith, Andrew Soren, Kevin Sutley, Judith Thompson, Michael Turner, Clinton Walker, Dave Walsh, Jonathon Young, Marcus Youseff, The Royal Liechtenstein Theatre Company, Le Ball de Montreal, Montreal Women's Choir and many others...


The Department of Culture presents
This is NOT a Conservative Party!
Rocking The Vote Right Across Canada
Flagship concert takes place in Toronto on
Thursday October 9 at The Phoenix Concert Theatre

REGINA's This is NOT a Conservative Party!
Tuesday, October 7 @ 8 pm at Regina's Cathedral Village Freehouse
for information contact Michele Sereda, culture.palliser@gmail.com

WINNIPEG's This is NOT a Conservative Party!
Wednesday, October 8 @ 7pm at King's Head Pub, 120 King St.
featuring: Quinzy, Drums & Wires, Patrick Keenan, DJ Rob Vilar + VJs Les Klassen, Hope Peterson, and PO-MO

TORONTO's This is NOT a Conservative Party!
Thursday, October 9 doors @ 8pm at The Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne St.
featuring Dave Bidini (Rheostatics), DJ Billy Bryans, Jason Collett (Broken Social Scene,) Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies), Friendlyness (DJ/superheavyREGGAE), Manitou Kwe Singers, Nadjiwan, Parachute Club, Porkbelly Futures (Paul Quarrington), The Skydiggers, Ian Tamblyn, Clay and Paper Theatre, and Videos from Rick Mercer, Alex Cuba, Ron Sexsmith, Stars, Winners of the Gone in 30 Seconds video contest.


OTTAWA's This is NOT a Conservative Party!
Friday, October 10 @ 8pm at Zaphod Beeblebrox, 27 York St.
featuring from Vancouver BRASSTRONAUT + from Ottawa SADIE HELL
www.ZaphodBeeblebrox.com


VOTE on Tuesday, October 14
and then, if you're in Toronto, join us for the Department of Culture's Election Party
at the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. from 8pm on...
Watch the results and celebrate the progressive coalition government we can imagine together for our future.


Department of Culture
Vote For Environment
Department of Culture in Winnipeg
Department of Culture in Montreal