This is Bullshit !!! Tory Sour Grapes from Former FCM Pres

Former Federation of Canadian Municipalities President Gloria Kovach could not win a Tory Nomination due to poor organization and even worse political skills and now she is playing the "poor me" victim stance and pointing her finger at everyone other than herself. This article says it all. I for one call bullshit. To even think that Stephane Dion would consider such a petty action is incomprehensible..did she see his Leadership Campaign ? Does she understand that as the Leader for Renewal he fundamentally believes in an open and transparent Government? Ms. Kovach simply needs to take responsibility for her actions- a novel idea for a Tory. To point the finger elsewhere demeans the FCM which is one of the most effective voices for Municipalities and Cities across the Country. Shame on you Ms. Kovach politics is not a "sand box with childrens toys for you to play with" but rather politics is a complex art of negotiations and a thorough understanding of Canadians and the challenges we face in the 21st century.

Manitoba NDP Concur with LIB's on CWB

Manitoba Ag Minister Wowchuk concurs with Liberal stand on CWB. As we have said flawed process, bad questions on plebiscite, low voter turnout, lack of clarity and lack of democracy on CWB. what will make these Reform alliance types stop?

Wheat Board Must Stay

The Reform / Alliance Chuck Strahl Announcement today that stated the CWB was not wanted is a skewed and utterly perverted process. The Reform Alliance announcement demonstrates an absolute and complete loss of faith in the Canadian Farmer and a huge blow to Western Canada. 3/4 of Western Farmers want the CWB to stay yet the Conservatives say they want it to go? Can you say Weapons of Mass Destruction ? Probe Research and Ipsos Reid say Manitobans and Canadians want the CWB, every farmer I have spoken to wants it the only people that do not are the died in the wool Reform /Alliance types who do not want to part company with Harper and his extremists. We need a movement to keep the CWB? Time to get the buses rolling and movement a foot. If you want any more informed, educated and relevant info on this contact our Murray Downing Former Federal Liberal Candidate Brandon Souris at murray24@mts.net. This is absolutely disgraceful and I think the Reform Alliance types are giddy on power and are trying to goad us into an Election with this kind of misinformation.

Tim Horton's should make a public statement AGAINST this image !!

This is an absolutely "wrong-headed" image. There are a lot of really mixed up people out there but this picture is ooohhhh sooooo very wrong. The Leafs will win tomorrow against Carolina and then another 2 over the weekend then it is Cup Crazy T.O. !!!

www.winnipegfirst.ca- a new paradigm in media information !!!

Wow a friend of mine, a great gal by the name of Kathleen Martens has just left the Winnipeg Sun to start up an innovative new media project called Winnipeg FIRST. The WinnipegFirst initiative is unique and cutting edge with up to the minute newsflashes. Winnipeg First is a Winnipeg-based national company launched in the summer of 2006 by John White, a veteran journalist looking to provide a passionate yet objective voice for the community. The president and company founder made a pledge to construct a new media paradigm that would ignite meaningful conversation, explode the ivory tower, embrace new technology and reconnect with the community.This exciting vision is centered around the company's core values: to be active, inclusive, transparent and exponential. Active in the way that we report on our community and seek out new and better ways of doing things, inclusive by respecting and championing the opinions of those interacting with our site, transparent in how we quickly acknowledge and correct mistakes and display real names from contributors, and exponential in our approach, reach and intellect as we grow in all ways to enhance the user experience. Kathleen Martens, formerly of the Winnipeg Sun, is the Senior Editor for Content. I encourage everyone to take a minute to check out their site at www.winnipegfirst.ca.
My first impresssion is that WinnipegFIRST is something close to Bourque but with local contributors and dialogue. Look forward to your opinions as well.

Lesley Hughes Manitoba Federal Liberals need you!!

At our recent LPC(M) AGM Lesley Hughes was a member of the Media Panel organized by Canadian Juno and Gemini Award Winning Producer and Director Don Marks. Lesley was invigorating in her promotion of CBC radio and the role which Canadian content plays in our social and cultural fabric. She defended the CBC against the privatization, "stay out of the market place" arguments which came both from participants on the floor and from her fellow Media panelist. Lesley was both respectful and strong in her approach and demonstrated that she is not only an eloquent orator but a women of substance and conviction. We need this type of individual badly in the Manitoba Federal Liberal Caucus. I for one would love to see her carry the Liberal Banner against Joy Smith, Judy Wasylicia-Leis or Stephen Fletcher. Lesley has the skill set, reputation and integrity to be not only a strong voice but also a long term Liberal MP. We need more women of substance running for public office in Manitoba, women like Lesley, like Wendy Menzies in Neepawa, like Jennifer Lukovich in Selkirk, like Valerie Galley and Joyce Bateman and Bobbi Ethier in Winnipeg. With a superb President of the LPC(M) in Sharon MacArthur and absolutely great ERC Co-Chairs in Deb Morrison and Jane Nikkel we need more women candidates.

John Loewen will bring back the Liberal Brand to Winnipeg South!!!

I am delighted to state that i am proud member of the John Loewen team and happy to be supporting him in Winnipeg South Liberal Nomination. John has the business acumen to bring a prolific liberal message to the Manitoba and Canadian business community having been involved with the family business Comcheq since 1973, as a Founding Director of the Manitoba Business Council and Chairman of Economic Development Winnipeg. He has significant community roots as Past President of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and and the Linden Woods community association. He is also a sports guy , a team player and knows and understands the value that without a strong and prosperous team no one person wins. He was a U of M Bison Basketball player and presently coaches Glenlawn Collegiate Boys team. He has had Provincial training being an MLA for Fort Whtye from 1999 til 2006 and brings a wealth of community, political, sports and personal knowledge and relationships to the Manitoba Liberal team. John is a person whom sees people for who they are and plays to their strengths. I look forward to him winning the Liberal nomination in Winnipeg South and further to him being a vibrant and positive member of the Liberal Party of Canada's Manitoba Caucus.

What about Manitoba? What about North Western Ontario? What about the GST cut?

The Budget, biggest spending budget in Canadian history brought lots of talk about Saskatchewan and lots of talk about Energy and the Environment but no action on the degradation on Lake Winnipeg. What about the East West Power grid? The Trans Canada Highway and putting more money into a Western Canada Transportation System? Billions spent on the Environmental Initiatives but no numbers or thresholds to meet just rhetoric. What about the Farmers no real incentives for Agri-Business? Northern Ontario and BC are still reeling hard from the Soft Wood Tariff and the Tories capitulation on the 5.2 billion in Canadian Dollars the Americans have taken and not replaced? Kenora has lost 20% of their population any insight to help? what has Flatfooted Flaherty done?
What about the GST cut promised in the Election?. On all counts nothing.
Jimmy boy forget the 800 dollar Easton skates for your son and look at getting some old loafers out and get back to what Canadians want and need- A Liberal Government.

Marriage, Fidelity and the Canadian Way

A good pal of mine, actually the CAO of Canadian Wheat Board Ward Meisner ( not to be mistaken for former CEO Adrian Meisner) is taking the plunge for the second time. Ward and I along with some "bean counters" from the CWB, CN, James Richardson International and Patterson & Sons play hockey on the Pro Con Habs of the University of Manitoba League and we have a great time . Ward is our "go to guy", a smooth skater and the textbook definition of a consummate unselfish, team player. Well he has been with this gal he is marrying this weekend for a couple of years. He originally married young to his high school sweetheart out in Sask but the two of them grew apart and divorced some time ago. Ward is a great guy and always willing to give but my BIG question (me being divorced and having a 5-year old daughter whom I worship and whom lives with her mother and that I do not see nearly as much as I would like) why ruin a good thing? The live and play together. They travel around the world, enjoy each others company, have the same recreational likes such as golf and workouts, enjoy the same movies and leisure activities.....why throw a wrench into a well oiled machine and formally marry? Is this my cynicism coming out where I am just thinking why change the boundaries or is there a need in today's society to have a formal written contract before you are "together"? Does this change their relationship? Will this change their relationship? If so how? Do they have to be faithful now that they are married but could have been unfaithful before the marriage contract? With the Divorce Rate in Canada in the high 60 percentile is our Canadian morale compass and hierarchy of values changing so much that we no longer can make a commitment ? I look around at my pals and most ( if not ALL) have been unfaithful with their spouses. What is the answer to this deteriorating morale fiber - marry who and when we want without regard for the "right one", move on when we feel like it or when we decide they were not the "right one", stick it out,persevere through the challenges which every relationship brings with someone who you know is not perfect (no one is) but whom you enjoy their company? Interesting thoughts on this bright and sunny Saturday. Personally, I am a little war torn and tattered and reluctant to want to enter into any relationship where I care and trust that gal 100% and of the opinion that I will work through challenges with a life partner whom I respect and admire and with whom I have made a "covenant of fidelity". I have not always been of this mund set but I am firmly there today.

Martha Rocks and Now Stands for the LPC !!!

Huge kudos to the Liberals of Willowdale who have asked and been delivered the best, yes I will use the word "best" in describing Martha, Liberal Candidate our country and liberal cause can offer to their riding. To have the Liberal Association, one which has a vibrant and well respected Liberal Executive, ask the Leader and be granted a specific candidate is unheard of. Martha is enterprising, entrepreneurial, an exciting speaker, engaging conversationalist and has a casual, comfortable approach when dealing with people. She can debate and discuss the issues of importance with persons of all races, creeds, religious denominations and genders. She will serve the Constituents of Willowdale well and the only question remaining is when do we from Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario have the privilege of going door to door to share Martha's message of hope and optimism with the Constituents of Willowdale.
Congrats Stephane Dion for doing what a Leader should - know his/her people and understanding and play to their strengths. You have strengthened your Liberal Team significantly with the Appointment of Martha Hall Findlay.

Manitoba AGM Complete and Resounding Success!!

Wow what a team !!!!

My second AGM as Chairperson and our Liberal movement is alive and thriving. A weekend complete with Liberal Blogging King presentation from Jason Cherniak and a 308 Riding Formula by Ryan Androsoff, Toronto MP's John Mac Kay and Bryon Wielfert were absolutely superb in setting the course for the Three Pillars, Manitoba's own Terry Duguid did a superb job on the environment, Don Marks put on an engaging and stimulating performance on Media, the Manitoba ERC Chairs Deb Morrison and Jane Nikkel did a profoundly inspiring performance on getting our team ready, LPC's Harry Mortemeir did a superb and thorough job on the new finances, inspiring speeches by Martha Hall Findlay, Gerrard Kennedy and our Leader Stephane Dion and a few local Policy Resolutions by Jim Millar and his team put the whole package in a stellar 21st century menu.
I have to express my HUGE THANKS to the great work by my entire AGM team and a personal thank you to each of you from me for their volunteer support, time and energy.

Every feedback received was positive and the only blip being extra tables needed for lunch and less sessions more discussion needed in the future. The crowning achievement in my view was the All Liberal Social Friday night- discussion, dialogue and camaraderie on the Liberal team. The dynamic speeches by our Leader, Gerrard and Martha put the energy and focal points on the weekend and the engaging nature of the ERC team and panellists PLUS the moving, full and complete AGM Agenda combined to make the weekend a complete and resounding success!!!!.

Team work, cooperation and commitment were our ingredients and not only have we achieved our goals - I believe in keeping with the theme of Let's Get the Party Started we have helped our party move forward towards a new and more prosperous future.

I hope to have some links for the presentations in the very near future but you can also link to Jason and Ryan on my page.

Looks like the next step on my Liberal Agenda is helping to organize a great candidate in Winnipeg South to take back that riding from the Tories. Stay tuned !!!
This new challenge brings back some great memories of 1993 and a heated, healthy 5,000 member nomination contest. Looking back on my life I have been involved in a total of 24 Liberal Nominations in riding from Ottawa to Saskatoon and have been on the loosing team only twice my dad lost to Veternarian Dan Pieroz in Rainy River Ontario Provincial in 1988 and once in 1993 we lost by 4 votes in Winnipeg South. I think with the proper positioning, bringing in all the Liberals I have spoke to this weekend and over the past year and putting together a similarly strong organizational team as the AGM (which looks like it is coming together Winnipeg South) it should be rewarding and fun. One recent real big Nomination win was in 2002-03 as part of the Ken Boschoff team in Thunder Bay Rainy River the folksy popular Mayor took down the well financed, Martin backed Donald Patterson team. That nomination was all about work and organizing and Winnipeg South looks to much the same thing.

On a personal note a lot of retro on my agenda this year which I have found really neat. Kind of exhilarating and therapeutic to be back "at her" for the Liberal cause after a few years of ground level roles such as door knocking as opposed to planning, strategizing and organizing. I find today my spiritual and personal outlook or more clear and less confined and as person I am a lot wiser and more focused on getting things done and finding achievable versus futile accomplishments. My challenge as it was in 1993 is I have to learn to temper how I deal with the "princesses" or "talk-a-lot-do-nothings" in the party. I do know I am far more effective at seeing people for who they are and lowering my expectations for those who are duplicitous and less "real". I also must learn to be more reserved and less passionate about how I undertake the task of organizing and enjoying my liberal activity.

LPC Manitoba AGM to be one of the most exciting in Years !!

It is with great anticipation and expectations that I look forward to seeing the fruits of all the labour of the AGM Committee which I have the distinct honour of forming and chairing come together next weekend. The 3 day AGM will have a first ever ALL Liberal Event hosted by Martha Hall Findlay on Friday night ..a good ole Manitoba social with music, refreshments and lots of time for Liberals to chat. Saturday is anchored with our dynamic new leader Stephane Dion speaking to his vision for Canada, Liberal Renewal and the ground breaking three pillars approach. The Leader will be surrounded with a cutting edge Media Session on how the Liberals need to change in effect to better communicate our message, Policy Sessions from MP's from across the country and an Election Readiness session with some new age techniques from Party Blog King Jason Cherniak, Saskatchewan Organizational genius Ryan Androsoff, LPC's own Harry Mortemier and Manitoba's own David Johnson. Wow !!! This is exciting stuff with Sunday seeing the elections for party office being held.

Huge kudos for all the time and energy of the team on my committee and especially the commitment made by Don Marks, Darryl Balasko, Caroline Neufeld, Bill James , Becky MacEachern, Jim Millar, John Petrshyen. I can not say enough about the leadership of LPC(M) Sharon MacArthur, the support of LPC(M) office and our ED extraordinaire Wizzer (man we will miss her) and the support and guidance by Bobbi Ethier. It will be ONLY because of their combined energies that this is one of the best AGM's in some time and I salute them and thank them for their commitments!!