I recently moved back to Fort Saskatchewan, which means I am now represented by a new Member of Parliament, Edmonton-Sherwood Park’s
Tim Uppal. When I lived in Edmonton-Centre I regularly received so called “ten-percenters” from Edmonton-Centre MP Laurie Hawn, as well as some from various Liberals (I can remember Iggy, Hedy Fry and Scott Brison of the top of my head) but the amount of ten-percenters I received while living there can not even being to compare with the sheer volume I have been receiving from Uppal since I moved to Fort Saskatchewan. This is likely because Uppal probably
the smallest margin of victory for any of the Conservative MPs in Alberta in the 2008 election, so he’s feeling rather insecure.
Uppal was elected in 2008 to replace outgoing Edmonton-Sherwood Park MP Ken Epp, by a very small margin, at least by Alberta standards having won 35.84% of the vote verses Independent (conservative) candidate James Ford’s 32.45% of the vote, a difference of 1 668 votes. Ford threw his hat in the ring after many members of the local Conservative Riding Association were upset by the rules surrounding the nomination process for the nomination Uppal won. Many Conservative Party member’s, including former Edmonton-Sherwood Park board members ended up working on James Ford’s campaign and/or openly supporting him. Even former MP Ken Epp was spotted at James Ford’s election night events.
Some interesting things the election showed about the vote in Edmonton-Sherwood Park is that even with the Conservative vote almost evenly between two candidates (Ken Epp won 63% in 2006) the Conservative still won a plurality of the votes. The election also showed the influence of grassroots organizing in the riding, verses the influence of spending money. It’s my understanding the Ford had a very strong grassroots organization campaigning for him during the campaign, so in spite of spending $34,907, less than half of Uppal’s $85,943, Ford managed to finish extremely close to Uppal. Another interesting thing to note is that NDP candidate Brian LaBell spent $110 but finished with 12.89% of the vote, besting Liberal Rick Szostak, who spent $24,297 and Green candidate Nina Erfani who spent $3,678 and won 7.48% of the vote.
When an election is called again, Uppal will once again be facing Szostak, who has been nominated to represent the Liberal’s once again. I have also heard that Ford will likely be running again. If Ford does not run again it will be interesting to see what happens to the 32% of voters who supported him in the last election. Will they return to the Conservative fold and vote for Uppal? Or will they decide to vote Liberal or NDP (I’m betting on a mix of all three).
Now, to the reason I started to write the post. I’ve been receiving ten-percenters from Uppal on probably about a weekly basis since moving here. The majority of them have seemed completely ridiculous and trumpeted the Conservative party’s line, but the one I received in the mail this morning is the most ridiculous one yet.
It bears the headline in large font of “Separatists Want to Legalize Euthanasia” and goes on to describe how a Bloc MP is introducing a bill to allow for euthanasia.
Uppal is quoted as saying “There is no situation in which it is the government’s role to legalize taking life.”
The flyer goes on to say “The bill would introduce a permanent loophole in the Criminal Code of Canada, effectively making euthanasia legal for those doctors who perform it on terminal patients or those who find themselves in sever pain. The patients would have to be 18 years of age.”
Then there’s the questionnaire part of the flyer that you’re encouraged to return to him. on the front page is the leading question:
“What Do You think?
-No! Tim should not support the Bloc’s bill.
-Yes! Tim should allow the government to support helping people die!”
The back of the ten-percenter also has several leading questions.
Now if I was someone who did not support euthanasia this, I think I would be very concerned that the Conservatives have now working with the “Separatists” in order to get legislation through the House of Commons.
Personally, I think euthanasia should be legalized. I don’t see why a terminally ill adult, who is still capable of making their own decisions should not be able to decide to allow their doctor to euthanize them, rather than continue to suffer sever pain. Another thing that causes me concern on this ten-percenter is the last question on the backside “Is the government within its rights to stop someone from committing suicide.”He’s implying that suicide and euthanasia are the same thing, which I, and I’m sure many others do not. There is a difference between a terminally ill person suffering severe pain choosing to end their life, and someone who could probably cope if they were provided with adequate mental and medical support.
I think this is probably going to be the first post in a series I’ll dub “Ridiculous Ten-percenters Tim Uppal Sends Out.” Assuming there isn’t an election soon, and that if there is Uppal holds his seat.
