My Thoughts: Romeo Saganash and his beautiful vision for Canada.

“Romeo, the campaign manifesto you penned, 'All Our Relations' was and is an inspiration. Saddened that you have dropped from the race but I'm very proud to count you as a colleague in the NDP caucus. I know we will work together to make the NDP - and Canada - better, every day. Your journey is a long way from over.”

- Bruce Hyer, MP Thunder Bay-Superior North

My number one concern has always been the riding of Brant.  It’s easy to see why.  We have so much going for us and yet we have major obstacles to still overcome.  While we can all appreciate what a wonderful place we live in we also know we must never stop improving.  That way lies stagnation.

There are many themes you hear regularly living in this community that folks feel need improvement.  The amount and quality of employment and prosperity is one theme.  The resolution of land rights and land claims is another and it ties into a larger theme of harmony and peace between the city, county and the reserve communities in our riding.  The rising cost of daily living and the effective use of public services including health care and education is another.  

These are just a sample amongst many of the challenges we face.  They are others of course and their importance depends on who you ask.  Every voter is unique and we all have different priorities but having knocked on more doors and been available at more community events than most it becomes apparent that these are the general themes we agree need creative solutions.

These themes and their importance to the people in this riding are the reasons I supported Romeo Saganash’s vision for the country and had joined his team so that he could be the next leader of the Official Opposition.  His experience creating win-win-win scenarios for communities, the economy and the environment appealed to me greatly.  He has arguably been directly involved with the creation of more jobs in the private sector than any other NDP Leadership Candidate.

When it comes to resolution of land claims and land rights no one on that slate of candidates had a better perspective or was better able to address the issue than Romeo.  His experience as a negotiator between First Nation Communities and Non-Native communities including industry were incredible.  His platform on this went beyond resolution and instead pushed for reconciliation.  A definite path to healing, peace and prosperity in a riding like ours.

And when it comes to the other themes for improvement prevalent in our community Romeo Saganash had incredibly well-thought out and intelligent arguments to make to take us forward in a more progressive way.

The bad news?  This week Romeo Saganash dropped out of the NDP leadership race.

The good news?  He’s still with us and if I know Romeo he will be working as hard as ever on these priorities.

As a member of the NDP Official Opposition and in my opinion a future Cabinet Minister Romeo Saganash will have many opportunities to help shape our country in a positive way.  The work he has done, especially in reaching out to the 40% of Canadians who feel marginalized and disenfranchised was incredible.  An example of this can be seen during his trip to Brant.  In his day here he spoke to more than 800 people at 7 events and recruited more new members in a single day then we have seen since I have been involved with the Brant NDP.

Having spent time on the campaign trail with Romeo a variety of times throughout Ontario in places like Brantford, Six Nations, Caledonia, Cambridge, Waterloo, Sudbury Ottawa and Toronto I learned so much from this thoughtful, caring and funny man and his entire team.

I’d like to thank Romeo for his friendship and mentorship. I look forward to working with him more in the coming years.  Thank you also for sharing your time and your story with us.  In a country that was inspired recently by the the idea that hope is better than fear you provide an amazing example of that kind of hope.  You make us believe that a boy who was born in a tent, who had been through all you had, could one day become the next Prime Minister of Canada.

What a beautiful vision of this country you have.  I know many who appreciate you giving so much of your time and energy to share that vision with us.   

Thank you.  Merci.  Mikwec.

____________________________________________________________________________________

I implore all my readers to read Romeo’s non-typical political platform “All Our Relations: Thoughts on Canadian Leadership” and to follow his past and future columns on the Huffington Post at http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/romeo-saganash

Old Age Security far from a "burden."

Brant residents and New Democrats from across the province were shocked to hear Brant Conservative MP Phil McColeman’s statements in the House of Commons this week.  In a prepared speech McColeman claimed that paying for the Old Age Security program which helps some of the most vulnerable seniors in the country was a “burden” and should not be left to “future generations of Canadians.”

"It's unfortunate some Conservatives feel that our seniors, receiving $540 a month, are a burden. And that those same MP's consider $80 Billion of taxpayers money spent on planes that can't fly and prisons that won't work, money well spent," said John Rafferty the New Democratic Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Rainy River in direct response to McColeman’s comments.

Brant NDP representative and 2011 Federal Candidate Marc Laferriere says the local community is equally off put by the Harper Government’s threats to the Old Age Security system. “We’ve received more calls and correspondence on these threats to the Old Age Security system than any other issue since the May 2011 election,” he said.  “This was not mentioned in the platform they ran on less than a year ago and I’m receiving a lot of contact from residents who voted Conservative in the last election who are angry about this.  It’s important that our elected officials speak for our community which clearly is not in favour of any cuts to OAS.”

In his statement McColeman also said “We cannot afford to put our head in the sand and hope the challenge of financial sustainability will go away.”  These statements are in direct conflict with a study commissioned by the Harper government and led by Edward Whitehouse of the World Bank which stated that “Canada does not face major challenges of financial sustainability with its public pension schemes,” and that “there is no financial or fiscal need to increase pension ages in the foreseeable future.”

“It appears the Conservative Government has their head in the sand when it comes to their own research.  They are also willfully putting their head in the sand when it comes to the reality many seniors in our community face now and will face in the future,” said Laferriere.

McColeman’s statements in the House also drew comments from Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MP and the NDP’s critic on Pensions Wayne Marston.

“The Conservatives gave $16 billion in tax cuts to profitable corporations without receiving a single job guarantee. And now, facing a revenue shortfall, they expect Canadian seniors to pay the price,” said Marston.  “A better option for Canadians is to expand the CPP, as the NDP has long argued.  A modest increase in premiums can finance a doubling of CPP benefits for all Canadian workers. This would provide real, sustainable, retirement security for Canadians.”

For the full text of the original speech from the House of Commons please go to www.openparliament.ca

To learn more about the Old Age Security controversy visit http://www.ndp.ca/oas

Hypocrisy aplenty: CEO salaries rise with federal tax breaks while workers and small business told to make due.

As published in The Brantford Expositor January 7th, 2011.

Lately and prominently, from right-of-centre authors in these pages and others we have seen editorials with titles like "Envy Blinds the Left Wing Regarding The Realities of CEO Salaries."

At the same time in London, Ont., controversy brews because workers there won't take a 50% wage cut from a profitable company, with high paid CEOs that received millions in federal tax breaks.

In this scenario corporate interests says CEOs should get paid more than they do now, but that other hard working Canadians should be paid less.

How does anyone make sense of this hypocrisy?

The average working Canadian makes between $33,000 and 42,000 a year. Many make far less than that and the cost of living continues to rise - especially energy costs -so that working Canadians are finding it tougher to get by and get ahead.

At the same time, companies like Electro-Motive in London, have been given millions in tax cuts without any strings attached. The companies have benefited while the workers have not. Where has that money gone?

Many of these companies, like Electro- Motive, have increased the salaries of their CEOs, sat on the cash or worse yet have used it to fund moving their operations out of Canada.

We saw a similar and unfortunate result here in Brantford with the workers at ECP. We've seen similar issues across the country as the gap between the rich and other working people gets wider.

This isn't a left versus right issue as Greg Van Moorsel declared. Nor is it a business versus union argument.

I am not in a union and, in fact, I own a small business. I'm dealing with accounts receivable and payable everyday.

And every day small business owners like me have been seeing these breaks to CEO's and these large companies while smaller businesses are looking to grow, looking to hire and can't.

I'm just a small business owner, one who wants to hire Canadians and grow the economy.

The breaks for me and small business owners like me are few while companies like Electro-Motive and their CEOs receive millions in tax breaks.

Top 20 Federal Brant NDP stories of 2011

An article in the Brant News recently named myself, along with Mayor Chris Friel and MPP and Speaker of the House Dave Levac as the Top Newsmakers of 2011.  The criteria were “the quality of the candidates and quantity of headlines they made” as well as the need for those headlines to “carry some importance.”

The Brant News article looked at the federal election campaign, community volunteer work and the creation of The Brant Advocate (a new community publication/small business venture) as the basis for their nomination.

For the purposes of this blog I’d like to just focus on the political work of the Federal Brant NDP.  It was a whirlwind year of activity, organizing and yes even tragedy.  Looking back on it though we see so many reasons to continue the work we do.  If you would like to help us continue onwards in our organizing efforts in 2012 and help us gear up for a win in 2015 please consider making a donation before midnight tonight to get up to 75% back on you 2011 taxes.

Normally we do a top 10 list at the end of the year but with so much happening in 2011 we had to create an expanded top 20 list.  Just click each story for more details.

Top 20 Federal Brant NDP stories of 2011 in chronological order:

1. MP Charlie Angus’ visits riding
2. Brant NDP Shines a Light to Fight HST
3. Brant NDP key to overturning CRTC ruling on Usage Based Billing
4. Brant NDP starts annual Brantford Youth Leadership Conference
5. Brant NDP proposes proactive fund to settle land claims
6. Laferriere only Candidate to unviel Job Creation Strategy
7. Laferriere nominated for JS Woodsworth Award
8. The 2011 Campaign Begins
9. Layton makes first policy announcement of the 2011 campaign in Brantford
10. Street Nurse Cathy Crowe comes to Brantford to campaign on issues of poverty and homelessness
11. Laferriere named one of the “most engaged” social media candidates in Canada by Global News.
12. Laferriere stands up for Seniors, holds McColeman to account on stimulus spending.
13. Obama’s Campaign Organizer endorses Laferriere and Brant NDP for new kind of politics.
14. Derek Blackburn returns for full day of campaigning
15. Andrea Horwath joins Brant NDP canvass team
16. Election results see largest growth of any local party.  Best result in 2 decades with strong 2nd place finish.  Laferriere vows to keep working.
17. NDP choice of local students.
18. Brant NDP mourns passing of Jack Layton with the community
19. Brant NDP Leadership Candidates Romeo Saganash and Paul Dewar Visit Brant and declare it one of the “next 60 seats” needed to form government in 2015.
20. Elections Canada reports Brant NDP does more with less and spent wisely on 2011 campaign. 

The last story on that list just came out so I’d like to go into a bit of detail there.  Elections Canada just released a report showing the Brant NDP spent a fraction of what the Conservatives and Liberals spent yet grew more than any other local party. 

Further we spent your money most wisely and had the most economically sound local campaign in last federal election.  We did not go into any debt and we spent $1.72 per vote, while the Conservatives spent $3.17, and Liberals a whopping $8.06. 

We also listened to voters and spent $0 dollars on those annoying phone polls. In fact the Conservatives and Liberals in Brant spent more on those surveys than we spent on the entire campaign. 

Looking at the statistics and the poll-by-poll breakdowns we see plenty of opportunity to win in 2015 but the work has to start today.  With more organization and support we will make a breakthrough in 2015.

If you can help in any way we would appreciate it.  You can donate to the local riding association conveniently and securely until midnight tonight and receive up to 75% back in just a few short weeks when you file your 2011 taxes.

Every dollar you donate to the Brant Electoral District Association goes directly to a local campaign and local work. Your donation will help us support riding events such as public talks, youth leadership events and barbecues, as well as plan and save for the next election. Donating is also easier on your pocketbook than you may think. For example, a donation of $100 actually costs you only $25:

Thank you so much for an incredible 2011 and for your continued support in 2012 and beyond as we work together for a more prosperous, fairer and more progressive riding.  A loving, hopeful and optimistic New Year to all.

NDP Leadership Candidate Paul Dewar to Campaign in Brantford

BRANTFORD, ON – NDP leadership candidate Paul Dewar will campaign in Brantford on Wednesday, December 14th.  

Mr. Dewar is a former aid worker in Nicaragua, public school teacher, and teachers’ federation vice president.  In 2006 he was elected Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Centre, and in 2007 he was appointed Foreign Affairs critic under Jack Layton.

"I believe together we can build a stronger, more caring Canada," said Dewar. "I’m traveling the country to talk to families about the issues they care about and earn their support to form Canada’s next government.  Brant is a great example of a community where we can work together, engage residents and elect New Democrats so we can build a more progressive country.”

This will not be Dewar’s first time hearing from the people of Brant.  During the Harper Government’s unpopular prorogation of Parliament Dewar held meetings with Brant NDP Federal Candidate Marc Laferriere and Brant NDP Secretary Neil Macdonald regarding the recognition of foreign credentials, support for military families, and ways to engage youth.

“Paul’s and his team have always been a big help to us in the riding and we are happy to have Paul include Brantford in his leadership campaign tour,” said Brant NDP Secretary Neil Macdonald.  “Paul was actually my MP when I lived in Ottawa.  I know from first hand experience how smart, friendly and hard-working he is.  We hope as many people as possible join us Wednesday to talk about the country and the specific issues in our riding.” 

"I've heard a lot about Brant and I’m excited to hear more during the visit,” said Dewar.

Brant NDP Federal Candidate Marc Laferriere recently spoke with Mr. Dewar when they both presented at this year's Ontario New Democratic Youth Convention in Sudbury Ontario.  

"I asked Paul at that event if he would like to make a trip to Brant and he readily agreed," said Laferriere.  "It is great to see an interest in our riding during this leadership race.  It is a good sign for us as we look towards the 2015 federal election.  We want the people of Brant, no matter who they support for leader, to get involved and engaged.  A one member, one vote race for leader is very exciting because it allows people to really participate.  This is especially true when we have leadership candidates visit our ever-growing riding."

During his time in Brantford, Mr. Dewar will meet with community leaders and NDP party members and participate in a campaign meet and greet at The Piston Broke Pub in Harmony Square.

What: NDP leadership candidate Paul Dewar to campaign in Brantford

Where: The Piston Broke Pub, 93 Dalhousie St, Brantford, 7pm - 9pm.

Additional information is available at www.pauldewar.ca

Visit the event page on facebook by clicking here