With the candidate showcase showdown in the books and just over an hour until the Jack Layton tribute, I have time to switch from tweeting quick sarcastic comments to blog with a bit more deliberative thought. Like the Senate, but even more sober (there’s an open bar in the media
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A BCer in Toronto: A Liberal perspective on #ndpldr in Toronto
I hear a wildcat strike by unionized Air Canada workers at Pearson Airport has been delaying some NDP delegates from making it to the leadership convention, but luckily the TTC is still running and I’ve arrived at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, gotten my media/blogger badge, and settled into the
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Rae ad a well-aimed Conservative grenade into the Liberal tent
Proving that you don’t need to ignore or even bend electionlaw to execute a savvy political strategy and tie your opponents in knots, theattack ad launched Sunday night by the Conservatives against interim Liberalleader Bob Rae is clever strategy on many levels. Most of all, it’s awell-aimed grenade into the
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Our raison d’être can’t be opposing
The always bubbling in the background chatter about thedream of a few to see the Liberals and NDP to merge or form some sort ofcoalition came to the surface again recently with comments made by Liberal MPJustin Trudeau in Victoria and broadcast by Sun TV. Here’s a snippet: “By 2015,
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: This is an opportunity to reset the fighter jet procurement process
After several years of ignoring opposition warnings about the price, suitability and lack of competitive tender around the F-35 program, the Harper Conservatives are now finally beginning to admit what we’ve all known all along: this purchase isn’t set in stone, the F-35 program has issues, and this may not
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: “Dion syndrome” is revisionist history masking self-interest
Leadership races are always places for amusing and nonsensical spin, and the current NDP race is no exception with some participants warning against a supposedly deadly, but entirely fictional, new malady: Dion syndrome. Named for former Liberal leader Stephane Dion, it’s meant to describe the horror of a candidate that
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Vikileaks and the death of the journalist as news gatekeeper
I was inLas Vegas for a work trip and tuned-out of all news from back in Canada, so itwas only Friday that I returned and caught myself up on the “Vikileaks” drama,and it was fascinating to read some of the commentary and follow the tweets onthe topic, particularly those from
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: If we’re betting everything on leadership, Bob Rae must be clear on intentions
Reflectingon last weekend’s Liberal Party of Canada biennial convention, where delegatesvoted against reducing the powers of the leader and put much of their hope forrebuilding into one key initiative – admitting supporters into the party ranksand giving them a vote for the next leader – it seems clear to me
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Both hope and fear drove Liberal delegates in Ottawa
Looking back on my three days in Ottawa for the 2012 Liberal Party of Canada biennial convention it’s impossible to craft one clear narrative – did delegates embrace bold change or put their faith in the status quo – because the evidence is highly contradictory. And that, I suppose, is
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Kyle Harrietha’s speech to Liberals about membership
As I speak Kyle Harrietha, who I’m proud to support for Liberal membership secretary this weekend, is speaking to the nearly 3000 delegates at the Liberal biennial convention about his vision for membership and for the Liberal Party. Here’s his speech, which so far I have to say he’s knocking out
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Kyle Harrietha’s eight-page plan for Liberal membership
Before Christmas, when I wrote about why I was supporting Kyle Harrietha for Liberal membership secretary I spoke about his dedication to the Liberal cause, working for the party on the ground in Atlantic Canada and in Toronto, helping to rebuild a Liberal riding association in Northern Alberta, and working
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Blogger debate video: BCer in Toronto vs. Calgary Grit on primaries
Well, it’s the eve of the 2012 Liberal Party of Canada biennial convention and one of the debates generating the most interest and discussion (besides the great #lpc12 vs #ott12 hashtag debate with threatens to tear our fragile party asunder) is the proposal to adopt a primary-style system (see 2,
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Why I’m supporting Braeden Caley and James Morton for Liberal Party executive
I’m notunder the impression whom I’m supporting at this weekend’s Liberal conventionmeans anything besides the vote I get to cast as a delegate. After all, I’mjust a humble, honorific-lacking blogger. For what it’s worth though, I’ve beentaking my personal decisions about whom to support seriously. I believe theseexecutive elections are
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Endorsing a roadmap from an old Liberal executive before electing a new one
Over the last few days I’ve dissected the 36 proposed amendments to the Liberal constitution that delegates will consider a thebiennial in Ottawa, and I’ve taken a look at 10 of the more semi-interestingpolicy resolutions on the agenda. We’ll also be asked to endorse the “roadmap to renewal”document prepared by
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: 10 Liberal policy resolutions that caught my eye, from abortion and the Queen to marijuana and a preferential ballot
My previous post looked at the constitutional amendmentswe’ll consider at the 2012 Liberal biennial, which involve changes to theparty’s structure and internal operations. Today I look at the policyresolutions we’ll debate. These if adopted will, in theory, come to represent the official policyof the party, representing things we’ll try to
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: 36 proposed Liberal constitutional amendments dissected and explained
Happy New Year to all; I hope you enjoyed the holidays. EspeciallyChristmas. I won’t say I’m resolving toblog more this year but I will try, and I’m sure I definitely will be in thenext few weeks as we head into the 2012 Liberal Biennial convention in Ottawa,beginning January 12th. I’m
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Kyle Harrietha for Liberal national membership secretary
The Liberal Party of Canada’s biennial convention in Ottawa is fast-approaching, and while it’s great to see so many interesting candidates contesting the position of national membership secretary I believe that Kyle Harrietha is the best choice for this position, which will be critical to our rebuilding and future success.
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Liberal Party is foolishly retreating from social media and blogging
I was disappointed to learn several weeks ago that the Liberal Party of Canada is retreating from its position as one of the early leaders in Canada in recognizing the importance of blogging, social media and citizen journalism to open and fair political debate. The uproar and bad publicity that
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Newman vs. Duffy, and a room full of zombies, on the Liberal Party of Canada
Last weekend I watched season 14 of South Park, and in a run of super hero episodes they introduced a character called Captain Hindsight. Basically, he flies in at a time of crisis and tells them what they should have done to avoid it, once it’s already obvious. For some
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Meeting the LPC presidential candidates, and why I like Mike
The Edward Blake Society, a group of Toronto-area no longer young except at heart Liberal professionals, hosted four of the five candidates for the Liberal Party of Canada presidency on Monday in Toronto (Charles Ward couldn’t make it) and around 100 Liberals packed the Pauper’s Pub to hear what they
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