Canadian Wheat Board - where are are we?

The recent strike down by the Supreme Court of Canada of the Reform/Alliance/ Conservative attempt to remove the Barley Monopoly of the CWB was met with what Liberal opposition? Strangely not a whisper from the Leader, our Critics or even our Western MP's on the Liberal response to the Courts ruling. I find this concerning as the CWB had the potential to bring us back to the Polls but no "stop this or else" ultimatums from the Liberal ranks only media pundits inferring what Liberal policy is. Even the Winnipeg Free Press did not pick up on our Leaders position which he firmly advocated in March 2007 here in Winnipeg at the LPC(M) AGM that he would do everything possible to protect the CWB. We need swift and decisive action to STOP the Reform/Alliance/Conservatives and regain some much needed ground with not only Western farmers but Quebec and Ontario Farmers concerned over marketing boards and their role in Canada's Agriculture policy. Lets get back to the basic Liberal principles of respect, cooperation and working together and begin the campaign to "Bring Back Canada" from the Reform/Alliance/Conservatives and their American based right wing philosophy. We have seen this on Foreign policy, we have sen this on Defence policy, we have seen this on the environment and now we are seeing it on our Wheat Board. Stop Harper now !!

Small Town Disaster

As you ALL know I hail from god's country - N.W.O. and a small and vibrant community deep in the heart of the Canadian Shield - Atikokan. Well tragedy has struck our community over the weekend a young 17-year old gal Krysta Mosley daughter of Jim Mosley was killed in a one vehicle accident . 2 friends in the vehicle with her were air lifted to Thunder Bay and remain in critical condition and 1 friend walked away. Many factors contributed to the accident that took her life but all add up to a small town crisis. The loss of someone so young and full of life, next generation of our community is hard to accept.

A face book group entitled In Loving Memory of Krysta Mosley has been started for more info.

Life is precious and we need to enjoy every minute of it. My heartfelt sorrow, compassion and thoughts go to Krysta's friends and family on this tragic day in their life.

Crisis in the Liberal Party

The recent quotes by Martha Hall Findlay and former LPC President Stephen LeDrew about the LPC "inability to raise money" and "donor fatigue" are right on the mark. Under the new guidelines it is becoming more and more evident, to this writer anyways, that we as a political party have not stepped up to the challenge we gave ourselves and the country in 2003. Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to chat with Liberals across the country and we all agree we need to change the way we operate. I am becoming very, very concerned with the direction of the party and the manner with which our PTA's and National Executive operate and address this new Canadian political environment. The fact that after 7 months our leadership candidates still have a combined debt of over 3.2 million AND no national plan for helping them out is disrespectful to them and each one of us. Under the new legislation it is all about the individual with no more corporate donors allowed. We as a party still have not adjusted and we, under Prime Minister Jean Chretien, are the ones that brought this in 2003. In 2007 we should be refocused, retooled and turning to the individual. Sadly we have diminished to the point that we are pointing fingers, casting blame and loosing time and energy on inconsequential efforts. We need worker bees, phoners and door to door canvassers, we need a strong foundation of party members across the country, we need to encourage a new openness in the political process and we MUST have a 'bottom up" approach to the entire political party organizational process. Gone are the days when guys with lists went to big donors the day before the election and said "help us and we will help you". With that "ask" gone so to are the days when the "backroom boys" dictated Liberal policy, procedure and personnel. Plebiscites, one member one vote, petitions, tabled votes are the new marching orders.

We must enlist the membership, encourage a new wave of liberalism and move into the 21st century thinking of open and transparent politics.

Here in Manitoba, Liberal Membership is down, fundraising efforts are few and far between and participation in PTA meetings, AGM's and Nomination Meetings is down.

When will we as a party "get it" ?
When will we shift our thinking and begin acting the way of the new Canadian Political paradigm?
What do we need to do to get ahead of the NDP (Last Quarter they beat us in fundraising )?

FREE Hugs

A gal, Emma , I work with whom is just a "peach" of a lady and has taken the lack of respect ion the world into her own hands and helped raise awareness to "sharing more love and happiness" in the world. See what she started on the luckiest day of the millennium 07-07-07 on her video . I invite everyone to join her in her campaign to share a little more love - world wide. Westerners and Peggers will note her video is filmed here at Canada's Centre - The Forks in Winnipeg.
With gals like Emma around it is easy to think that a better future is ahead for our world!!!
Thanks Em!!!

140 years Strong!!

Our Country, Canada, is 140 years old. The saga of how we became the Dominion of Canada and later how we Repatriated ourselves with our own Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982 is an interesting one. Several times before 1867 we tried to bring all the different regions together 1837 and 1838 saw French and English unite then in 1847 the same but all leading to differences not common interests creating divisions and noot agreements. Several Cities wanted to become the Capital but Ottawa became the final choice. Later Louis Riel would try to start another Republic ..the Republic of Manitobah only to have the Conservatives and Sir John A label him a criminal and treasonist. Newfoundland finally came aboard and here we are 2007. Our country has seen many a fight, a skirmish and a uniting cause such as the Canada Russia Super Series of 1972, World Wars and Quebec Separation but the most amazing "idea" that unites us from BC to Newfoundland is that we are still together and looking at a better future in 2007. I am proud to celebrate our birthday at the Forks in the Centre of Canada and happy to wish each and every one of my fellow Canadians, 31 million strong, Happy Birthday Canada and fellow Canadians!!

Smokin' Joe Commuzzi must resign and a By-Election be called!!!!

Absolutely unbelievable !!!! Joe Commuzzi former Crown Attorney and FedNor Minister in the Martin Liberal Government wants to join the Reform/ Alliance /CPC. Bluntly he should resign and let his new babysitter Stephen call a by election. The riding has not been Conservative since before the Minster of Everything CD Howe. he has no chance of winning under a CPC banner and the people of NorthWestern Ontario (NWO) deserve better. The layoffs in the Forest Processing Industry, the botched negotiations to get Ken Buchanan and his company Buchanan Forest Products (the largest employer in the riding) money back from the US, the fact that Northwestern Ontario has the highest cost of doing business in the country (hydro, telephone and business taxes) and the fact that Harper is doing nothing about it makes me think with this decision to leave the Liberal Party Joe is loosing it.
Give your head a shake Joe!
More to the point get your head out of your ass and resign before you do yourself any more personal damage!!!

The fact that Joe Comuzzi hid behind a Budget vote making some lame excuse about the funds set aside for NWO through a Medical Lab (newsflash Joe -NWO would get it with or without your vote ) was simply a hissy fit because you are not going to be the Chief Political Minister for NWO anymore and the new leader has marginalized you in Caucus as you have nothing to offer the new Liberal Party. He has pulled these kind of stints in the past, less publicly, but still having strained relationships with Chretien NWO Chiefs Nault and Irwin. No Joe is all about Joe and cares not about the party, the thousands of hours of volunteer time put in to his campaign and which supported him for 2 decades. pathetically egotistical of the Liberal MP from Thunder Bay Superior North.

Resign NOW Joe !!!

Summer Hi Jinx

It seems everyone and there dog is having fundraisers and bringing people together. On the Winnipeg Municipal Front "up and comer" and real "go-getter" City Hall St.James Councillor Scott Fielding has released a sure winner report with The Economic Opportunities Commission Report . Mayor Sam and his pledge to get rid of the business tax is going to be a reality. A lot of out of the box recommendations by the right wing panelists but with Scotts shepherding this could go somewhere. Too many times has Adrien Batra tried to snivel her way into the Premiers Office.
On the Federal Front - ByElections in Willowdale and Toronto Centre would really help shape the renewed Liberal team. Lots of bluster out of Prime Minister Harper and his Reform/Alliance/CPC party on Senate Reform sounding more and more like Mulroney of the 90's and less of the Reform Populist he came into Ottawa as. Watch for some draconian changes to Senate and the Environmental agenda.