Russian PM asks Harper to consider Summit Series

Russian PM asks Harper to consider Summit Series

Updated Wed. Mar. 28 2007 10:55 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov has called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to support the push for a historic nation-versus-nation hockey match-up to mark the 35th anniversary of the historic Summit Series.

The 1972 on-ice battle -- held at the height of the Cold War -- grabbed the attention of citizens of both nations and is widely remembered as a key moment in Canada's hockey history.

Now, there is a movement afoot to hold another tournament to mark the 35th anniversary of the original eight-game event which Canada won.

Harper -- a hockey fan who is writing a book about the history of the sport -- has not yet responded publicly to the challenge, first reported by Russia's hockey authority, Sport Express.

The Moscow-based daily newspaper broke the news that officials were considering holding another Summit Series.

The event would include four games in each country, the newspaper reports.

According to Vsevolod Kukushkin, the writer who broke the story, the proposal for the tournament came from Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson himself.

"In Nicholson's opinion," Kukushkin wrote, "the situation is very good now for such a series. Since the 1972 series, which was one of the most important sports events of the last century, a generation of players and fans have come and gone ... and a new generation of fans and players in both countries deserve to see such a great product."

The series was expected to dominate talks at meetings this week between Nicholson and Rene Fasel, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Kukushkin, who served as the interpreter for the Russian team when it played four games in Canada in 1972, suggested Nicholson is the right person to push for such a tournament because Hockey Canada has good relations with the NHL Players Association and the NHL.

The Summit Series was the first time the top professional players from the two countries met on the ice, at a time when only amateurs could participate in Olympic hockey.

It brought high-profile attention to Canadian players such as Phil Esposito, Yvan Cournoyer and goaltender Ken Dryden, now a Liberal MP.

Some reports speculate the series could be used as an early training camp for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Canada's First War Crimes Trial

Woman pretended to be dead for 3 days, war crimes trial hears

Last Updated: Monday, March 26, 2007 | 4:28 PM ET

CBC News

A Rwandan woman testifying at the first war crimes trial in Canadian history told a Montreal court Monday she smeared the blood of her sister on her forehead and pretended to be dead for three days to stay safe.

The woman, identified only as witness C-15, was the first witness to testify at the trial of Désiré Munyaneza, accused of the murder and rape of Tutsis during the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

An undated court sketch shows Désiré Munyaneza.

Munyaneza is the first person to be charged under Canada's new Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, which became law in 2000. He will be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

Munyaneza, 40, faces seven charges:

• Two counts of genocide.
• Two counts of crimes against humanity.
• Three counts of war crimes.

The Hutu son of a well-to-do soft-drink and beer distributor in Butare, Munyaneza is accused of systematically targeting Tutsis for murder and sexual violence in a bid to destroy them.

He is also charged with attacking civilian populations and pillaging Tutsi homes and businesses.

Continue Article

The woman told the court she was a Tutsi living in Butare at the time of the genocide.

She said she and her sister left their home for the local school by order of the Hutus. The attacks began at the school, she said.

The woman said she was slashed on the forehead with a machete while trying to escape. She fell and lost consciousness, she said.

She woke up lying on top of her dead sister, she said. She smeared her sister's blood on herself and spent the next three days pretending to be dead, the woman said.

An estimated 800,000 killed in 1994

When she finally left the school, she had to step on bodies to get out because there was no open space on the floor, the woman testified.

She told the court she was one of two survivors among 3,000 people.

An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered by Hutu extremists in the central African country in 1994, in one of the century's worst massacres.

The Crown's witness list includes Senator Romeo Dallaire, who led United Nations peacekeepers in Rwanda during the genocide.

An appeal is likely whatever the trial's outcome and the case is expected to end up at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Munyaneza came to Canada in 1996 and claimed refugee status, but was turned down. He moved to Toronto, where he was living with his wife and two children at the time of his arrest in October 2005.

Gerald Caplan, a leading authority on the Rwandan genocide, told CBC News that holding the trial sends an important message to the international community: There is no impunity for those accused of committing crimes in other countries.

"You want to flee to Canada and make a claim here or think you can disappear here, [but] you can never again be sure that the Canadian courts won't clamp down on you," Caplan said.

New NHL deal keeps Hockey Night in Canada on CBC

Last Updated: Monday, March 26, 2007 | 12:31 PM ET

CBC Sports

The CBC and NHL announced a new television deal Monday that will keep Hockey Night in Canada on the air until 2014.

The six-year broadcast deal, which includes national English-language broadcast and multimedia rights to NHL games in Canada, will begin when the current agreement between the CBC and the league expires after the 2007-08 season.

"Can you imagine seven more years of me? How can it get any better?" Don Cherry, co-host of Coach's Corner, told CBC Sports Online.

"Can you imagine seven more years of me?" Don Cherry told CBC Sports Online Monday after the CBC announced a new six-year broadcast deal with the NHL.

"I'm very happy. [Hockey Night in Canada ] should be on the CBC: it's been on the CBC [since the 1950s] and this is where it belongs."

The CBC will maintain exclusive Canadian coverage of NHL games on Saturday nights, including traditional doubleheaders and more regional telecasts.

The CBC also retains exclusive Canadian coverage of the Stanley Cup Final, the NHL All-Star Game and the annual NHL Awards, and continued coverage of Canadian teams in the playoffs, ensuring national coverage of all Canadian clubs involved in the post-season.

Also, effective immediately, a multimedia package including live and on-demand video streaming of all CBC's hockey broadcasts will be available online at CBC.ca.

Continue Article

"Hockey is part of the Canadian fabric and we're proud and pleased to continue what is the longest-standing sports rights partnership in the world, one that dates back to the very beginning of the CBC," said Richard Stursberg, the executive vice-president of CBC Television.

"This is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in our partnership. We'll be offering Canadians more hockey via more platforms than ever before."

CBC's Hockey Night in Canada is currently in its 54th season on television.

"CBC's Hockey Night in Canada has played an important role in building the passion that Canadians of all ages have for our game," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

"The NHL is thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with this great Canadian institution and build on a tradition that has become a staple for millions of Canadians from the time the first puck is dropped in October through the presentation of the Stanley Cup eight months later."

Monday's announcement was a big win for the CBC because the public broadcaster suffered some setbacks in negotiations for key television properties the past few years.

In December 2006, the Canadian Football League announced a new five-year television contract with TSN, a deal that leaves the CBC watching from the sidelines once its current agreement with the league expires after the 2008 season.

CBC also lost the rights to Canadian Curling Association properties, such as the Brier and Tournament of Hearts, to CTV-TSN in 2006.

In 2005, a Bell Globemedia-Rogers Communications consortium won the rights to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. CBC had held Olympic broadcast rights since 1996.

CBC Sports responded to those losses by signing an eight-year agreement with FIFA that includes the rights to the next two World Cups, a four-year deal for alpine skiing and an eight-year contract for the World Curling Tour's Grand Slam events.

China and Russia Energy Deals

Hu to push energy deal in Moscow

Hu is on his third visit to Russia [Reuters] Hu Jintao, the Chinese president, is in Russia seeking energy deals but also offering Moscow business opportunities and international co-operation as they expand ties. "I am certain this visit will give new momentum to the deepening of Russian-Chinese relations and to our practical cooperation in all spheres," Hu said on Monday in a statement handed to reporters on his arrival in Moscow. China and Russia are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council who have used their veto power to blunt Western efforts to sanction Iran and other challengers to US policy. Over the weekend, they both backed a UN resolution imposing new sanctions on Iran for continued uranium enrichment, which critics say is aimed at eventually giving Tehran the ability to assemble nuclear weapons. Iran is sure to be on the agenda when Hu sits down for talks with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, officials said. Energy deals But Hu, on his third visit to Russia as the national leader, will also be looking to expand trade between the two growing economies, especially oil and gas for energy-thirsty China. "Russia needs to keep its military industry floating, and China is really important to doing that" Nicklas Norling, researcher, Uppsala University, Sweden China is the world's number two oil consumer, and Russia the second-largest exporter. But their potential partnership has been stymied by both nations' desire to keep a state grip on energy deals. Previous plans for oil and gas pipelines have languished after both sides trumpeted initial agreements. China wants to pay less for the gas and it is unclear whether Russia has enough crude to satisfy China and Japan, which have been vying for supplies. Moscow has flip-flopped over which of these Asian rivals should get the first pipeline connection, leaving Chinese buyers hanging on promises of increased railway supplies of oil. Russia's state-controlled oil firm, Rosneft, has repeatedly failed to meet its targets for increased crude oil volumes by rail to China. But Rosneft will sign a deal on Tuesday with Unipec, the trading arm of Sinopec Corp, to reopen a border crossing at Naushki, adding three million tonnes of crude a year (60,000 barrels a day), Kommersant newspaper reported. Russia may be willing to make some energy concessions to China as Moscow seeks to diversify markets and investment, said Nicklas Norling, a researcher at Uppsala University in Sweden who has studied their relations. "Energy is a source of tension but also potential co-operation," he said. Hu will visit the oil-rich region of Tatarstan after Moscow, which may yield an oil deal with the regional oil firm Tatneft, a local government spokeswoman said. She declined to give details and said the deal was not yet definite. Putin also hopes that Hu will buy more Russian-made military hardware as China drives ahead with defence modernisation, Norling said. "Russia needs to keep its military industry floating, and China is really important to doing that," he said. *********** Venezuela signs oil deal with China China had given its approval to $6bn investment fund, for work in Venezuela [GETTY/GALLO] Venezuela has signed deals to supply oil to China as part of a drive by Hugo Chavez, the south American nation's president, to break his dependence on energy exports to the United States. Venezuela will double its exports to China by sending 300,000 barrels per day of crude in 2007, officials said at a signing ceremony in Caracas on Monday. "Venezuela has always said it wants to turn itself into a secure and increasing source of oil supply to China," Chavez said at a gathering marking the visit of Li Changchun, a member of China's Politburo Standing Committee. China is the world's second biggest oil consumer. Venezuela says it pumps about 3.3 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) although analysts say the figure is about 2.7 million. It is the fifth-largest oil exporter to the United States. Big business Last year, the Opec nation sold only 150,000 bpd of crude to China. Chavez has said Venezuela is looking to ship one million bpd there by 2012. China is also planning to develop the heavy crude of Venezuela's Orinoco Belt and work jointly with Venezuela on building refineries and tankers. Venezuela is forging oil co-operation with countries such as Iran, China and Russia while stripping US corporations such as Conoco Phillips, Chevron and Exxon Mobil of their majority stakes in Venezuelan projects. Chavez said China had given its approval to a $6bn fund for development work in Venezuela. China will supply $4bn with Venezuela contributing the remaining $2bn.

Breaking News: Real Quebec Winner...Harper!!!!

Breaking News: Real Quebec Winner...Harper!!!!

In many ways politics is a game of chess and while politics can turn on a dime; it appears that Stephen Harper - a master strategist has just put his federal opponents in check mate. In May 2005, one of Belinda Stronach's reasons for crossing the floor was "national unity" and not wanting to "line up with the Bloc". What a difference less than two years makes.

At the time the decision was controversial. Stephen Harper during the last campaign recognized and campaigned to fix the fiscal imbalance and introduce a new alternative, "open federalism" to Quebec. Almost everyone was shocked when the former Reformer and Alberta Prime Minister was elected with a surprise 10 seats in Quebec. He then continued to take chances with the "nation" motion and also the most recent budget where the fiscal imbalance was addressed and billions were invested into Quebec to ensure a federalist alternative. Today that record has paid off and not only did Charest's Federalist Liberals win a minority government on the back of Stephen Harper, but the ADQ make a breakthough surge that was far greater than even the most generous pundits predicted. Conservatism at this time is cool again in Quebec. Referendum ideas for now have been crushed and a federalist National Assembly government has been elected. The PQ and soon the BQ have not been at this low a level in decades. A united Canada seems more sure today than at anytime during 13 years of Liberal rule. On the issue of national unity...the Conservatives are now the only federal option available. There is a blue revolution happening in Quebec, and Harper's potential in the province is nothing less than what the ADQ accomplished tonight.

As for Stephane Dion and his federal Liberal Party, again tonight they have been damaged. In Ontario he is in an awkward position of opposing the budget that his Ontario cousins support. In Quebec, fears about Dion are starting to bear fruit. He is voting against a budget that pours billions into Quebec and has brought hope back to federalism. During the campaign he was not only invisible but irrelevant. On top of that, he has never had the confidence of the Quebec members of his caucus (supporting Ignatieff until the very end) and his current position will surely raise the clarity act baggage associated with his image in Quebec again. For anyone starting a pool, how many days (maybe hours) will it take for Mr. Duceppe to become leader of the PQ? Tonight the Federal landscape in Ottawa has changed and a new era begins.

For Quebec, politics will be very interesting. Jean Charest ended up battered and bruised, but he survived to fight another day. At one point CBC declared him defeated but the advanced poll allowed him to win in a very tight contest. I suspect Charest in a minority government working with the ADQ is about to shift to the right. Will this make him more popular next time and will the ADQ allow him to fulfill many of his broken promises that cost him this election? The million dollar question is how long can this minority National Assembly last? Is the PQ finished along with the dreams of an independent Quebec? The time is now to get excited, but in Quebec politics things can be turned up-side-down in a matter of days.

Reaction tomorrow will be key...but at 12:52am on March 27, 2007; I have never been this confident about the prospects of a majority Conservative government in the weeks and months ahead. Tonight was a big night for Quebec, Conservatives and also for a united Canada.


Thanks for reading....


Darryl


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Breaking news: Charest hangs on...

Feels like the 2000 Presidential Election all over again. It appears Jean Charest has not been defeated and is currently leading his riding by 1200 votes. What a cliff hanger!!!!!! More to come...

-Darryl

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Charest holds on as Quebec Liberals win minority
Updated Mon. Mar. 26 2007 11:29 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

The Quebec Liberal government of Premier Jean Charest has won another mandate, albeit a narrow minority. He survived a tough personal challenge from the Parti Quebecois in his Sherbrooke seat.
They are currently elected or leading in 48 of 125 constituencies.
A majority victory would have required at least 63 seats. This is the first time in more than 40 years that a Quebec premier has failed to win a second majority. The province hasn't seen a minority government since 1878.
Four of Charest's cabinet ministers have been defeated.
To the surprise of almost everyone, the second-place party is the right-wing nationalist Action democratique du Quebec, led by Mario Dumont, with 41 seats. At 10:22 p.m., CTV said the ADQ -- which had a five-member caucus when the campaign started -- would form the official opposition.
The Parti Quebecois, which governed the province from 1994 to 2003 and had topped the opinion polls for most of Charest's term, is in third place with 36 seats. That would represent the PQ's lowest seat total since 1989.
The popular vote breaks down as follows:
Liberals - 32.8 per cent
ADQ - 31.0 per cent
Parti Quebecois - 28.4 per cent
Other - 7.8 per cent
Dumont was re-elected in his seat of Riviere-du-Loup, along with PQ Leader Andre Boisclair in his Montreal seat of Pointe-aux-Trembles.
At the outset of the evening, CTV Montreal predicted the Liberals would win between 41 and 66 seats, the sovereigntist Parti Quebecois between 32 and 58 seats and the right-wing nationalist Action democratique du Quebec would pick up between 15 and 38 seats.
As the evening wore on, the Liberals' maximum seat total was projected to be 49.
When he called the election on Feb. 21, Charest's Liberals had 72 seats, the PQ had 45 and the ADQ had five. There was one Independent and two vacancies.
The campaign lasted 33 days, with polls towards the end showing a tight race. Despite heavy rains in parts of Quebec on Monday, voter turnout was very solid.
Analysts are already using the word "historic" to describe tonight's results.
"It's a historic re-alignment election," said Craig Oliver, CTV's chief political correspondent.
The rise of the right-wing nationalist ADQ is a vindication of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's policy of accommodation towards Quebec. Given these results, a federal election this spring seems almost certain, he said.
"What we see tonight is a not-so-quiet revolution in the province of Quebec," said historian David Mitchell. This could provide the momention for Harper's Conservatives to win enough seats in Quebec to form a cherished majority government, he said.
Political analyst L. Ian McDonald told CTV Montreal that provincially, this election could mark the fall of the PQ just as the Union Nationale, a party similar in philosophy to the ADQ, started to fade in the 1970s. He said this is the worst showing for the PQ since 1970. "The PQ is down 600,000 votes from two elections ago. That is a disaster," he said.
A panel of analysts for CTV Montreal felt this election result means another sovereignty referendum in Quebec is now on the backburner for a long time.
More to come ...

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Breaking News: Charest defeated???

Just got off TV...more to come

It looks like the Liberals have been declared the winners of the Quebec election but Jean Charest MAY NOT win his own riding!!!! Quebec surprises again as the ADQ is likely to form the official opposition!!!! Is it cool to be Conservative in Quebec???? Will the PQ need to find a new leader???? What will happen to Charest (retire, run as a federal Conservative, find a new seat and hold on as leader or Premier by finding someone to step down???) Who will lead the Quebec government? All these questions will be answered shortly. As of 11pm Eastern Time Charest is in serious trouble in his own riding (CBC has declared him defeated) and the seat count is in the table below...

In Quebec politics...anything is possible!!! More to come...

-Darryl

Overall Election Results

Party	Elected	Leading	Total	Vote Share
LIB	45	1	46	32.49%
ADQ	41	1	42	31.20%
PQ	36	1	37	28.47%
QS	0	0	0	3.68%
GRN	0	0	0	3.90%
OTH	0	0	0	.27%

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Charest out as PQ, ADQ grab Liberal seats in Eastern Townships

Last Updated: Monday, March 26, 2007 10:35 PM ET

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/quebecvotes2007/story/2007/03/26/eastern-townships.html

CBC News

The Liberals lost at least two of their seven seats in the Eastern Townships — including Liberal Leader Jean Charest’s.

The Parti Québécois took Charest’s riding of Sherbrooke with 34 per cent of the popular vote.

Meanwhile, the Action Démocratique du Québec gained a foothold in the eight-riding region by claiming the former Liberal riding of Shefford.

The Liberals held onto:

• Brome-Missisquoi with 40 per cent of the popular vote.


• Richmond with 41 per cent of the popular vote.


• Saint-Francois with 37 per cent of the popular vote.

As of 10:20 p.m. ET, the Liberals were neck and neck with the ADQ in the former Liberal ridings of:

• Mégantic-Compton


• Orford

The PQ was slightly ahead of the ADQ in Johnson, which the PQ won in 2003.

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Quebec Election Predictions

Tonight we will find out who will win the Quebec election. For what it is worth here are my predictions for tonight:

Liberal: 51
PQ: 45
ADQ: 29

Obviously the results will have a major impact on the federal scene as well as Conservative fortunes in the province going into the next election. Should be a cliff hanger tonight!


Democratic Space Prediction:

Liberal: 57
PQ: 47
ADQ: 23

http://democraticspace.com/blog/2007/03/democraticspace-projects-liberal-minority-government-in-quebec/

Darryl on TV: "Insights" with Pam McDonald

Darryl on Insights March 26 at 9pm

I will be on "Insights" with Pam McDonald Monday March 26 to talk about the recent Ontario budget. The show starts at 9pm on Rogers Cable 10 in York Region. Unfortunately the show is not available in Aurora.

Thanks for watching...

Darryl
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About the show

Now on two times a week, Insights is a live, interactive program that profiles issues and events from across York Region.

Host Pam MacDonald takes your calls live and let's you have your say every Monday and Wednesday at 9:00 pm.

Reminder: Dalton McGuinty's Broken Promises

Reminder: Dalton McGuinty's Broken Promises

Before we get too excited about the recent Provincial budget, let us remember that most of the money isn't going to flow until later years and a lot of it is nothing more than an upcoming Liberal election platform set for this October. Based on the Ontario Liberal record on their last set of campaign promises, I don't have much confidence or hope that they will actually deliver if given another term. I will write more about both budgets in greater detail later this week. In the meantime, below are 50 promises that the Liberals have failed to keep after 4 years of governing Ontario.

Thanks for reading...

Darryl


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1. “I won’t raise your taxes.”
2. Balance the Budget every year of their mandate
3. Balance the Budget by 2007
4. Roll back tolls on the 407
5. Fund Medically-Necessary Health Care Services (de-listed eye exams, chiropractic care and physiotherapy)
6. Not Add to the Province’s Debt
7. Stop 6,600 Houses on the Oak Ridges Moraine
8. Abide by the Balanced Budget law
9. Cap Hydro Rates at 4.3¢ per Kilowatt Hour Until 2006
10. Respect MPPs and Democracy
11. Allow all non-cabinet MPPs to criticize and vote against government legislation
12. Provide autism treatment beyond age six
13. Reduce Auto Insurance Rates by 10% Within 90 Days
14. Reduce Private Consultants
15. Cancel P3 Hospitals in Brampton and Ottawa
16. Public Inquiry into Meat Inspection
17. Withdraw Government Appeal on the Richmond Landfill
18. Make Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer an independent officer of the Legislature
19. Govern with honesty and integrity
20. Better mental health care
21. Value and Support the Public Service
22. Divert 60% of municipal garbage to recycling by 2005
23. Close “private” MRI and CT clinics
24. Stop School Closings
25. Provide Adequate, Multi-Year Funding for Hospitals
26. Hire Over 1,000 Teachers a Year
27. Hire 1,000 New Police Officers
28. Close Coal-Fired Electricity Plants by 2007
29. Double the Number of Apprentices
30. End the “Clawback” of the Federal Child Tax Credit
31. Build 20,000 New Affordable Housing Units
32. Spend “Every Penny” of the New Health Tax on Health Care
33. Eliminate Barriers to Foreign-Trained Professionals within One Year
34. Require Trades and Professions to Accept Qualified Immigrants within One Year
35. Repeal the Tenant Protection Act within One Year
36. Establish a Standing Committee on Education to Hold Yearly Hearings
37. Liberal Promises Would Cost $5.9 Billion
38. Make the Ministry of Agriculture a lead ministry
39. Invest in rural roads and bridges
40. Make sure health dollars are being spent wisely
41. Stop the waste of taxpayers’ dollars
42. Support the province’s cities
43. Guarantee stable, long-term funding for our rural communities
44. Operate an open and transparent government
45. Provide a new funding formula for rural and northern schools
46. Hard cap of 20 students for early grades
47. Ensure 75% of students meet or exceed the provincial standard on province-wide tests within first mandate
48. Tackle gridlock
49. Give taxpayers better value for money while keeping taxes down
50. Provide financial assistance to farmers to offset the cost of new nutrient management rules

PC Reaction to Provincial Liberal budget

Ontario PC Press Release:
Mar-23-07
MCGUINTY’S BUDGET: NO RELIEF, FEW RESULTS FOR AVERAGE TAXPAYERS
http://www.ontariopc.com/news.asp?id=610

Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today said that despite increasing spending by over $4,500 per household, Dalton McGuinty’s 2007 Budget has virtually nothing in it for an average hard-working taxpayer.

“If you’re a good old fashioned hardworking taxpayer, you were forgotten altogether,” said Tory, in a speech to the Economic Club of Toronto. “Not even the hint of a tax break on the punishing ‘health’ tax. No plan for traffic and transit. No relief from crowded hospital emergency rooms. More students than ever in portables.”

Tory said in the speech that despite a $22 billion increase in annual spending since coming to office, Dalton McGuinty hasn’t been producing strong results.

“Despite being awash in cash, Dalton McGuinty said ‘no’ to tax relief; ‘no’ to the workers who have lost their job; ‘no’ to commuters stuck in gridlock; ‘no’ to the families of aging loved ones who require long-term-care; ‘no’ to farmers facing more than a $100 million in new cuts; and ‘no’ to northerners who get a new ‘facilitator’ and nothing more,” said Tory.

Tory detailed in his speech some of the things he would have done differently with the 2007 Budget.

“First thing’s first. We would begin to eliminate the health tax, that is causing so much hardship, particularly to Ontario’s poorest workers,” said Tory. “It’s a broken promise tax and it’s a regressive tax. It is a tax that does not even go to health care. With the budget supposedly balanced, Dalton McGuinty has no excuse.”

Tory also said he would have brought in a real plan to protect homeowners from skyrocketing property assessment increases, instead of just spreading sticker shock over four years as Dalton McGuinty has done. He pointed to the lack of an infrastructure plan, and the complete absence of any help for the over 120,000 people who have lost well-paid manufacturing jobs over the past two years. He said Ontario has been slipping on Dalton McGuinty’s watch and that only strong leadership will return the province to a leading role.

“Beyond my concerns about specific items in this budget is my wider concern that there is no way any of us can actually count on this government following through,” said Tory. “Dalton McGuinty has always put his own political health ahead of Ontario’s health – why should we expect that, right now, it’s anything different?”

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Mar-22-07
TORY: MCGUINTY WEAK LEADERSHIP HAS ONTARIO LIMPING ALONG WHEN IT SHOULD BE RUNNING
http://www.ontariopc.com/news.asp?id=609&TopicID=0&RegionID=0&RidingID=0&From_M=12&From_D=25&From_Y=2006&To_M=3&To_D=25&To_Y=2007&Keyword=&print=

Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today said Ontarians haven’t seen the results they deserve as Dalton McGuinty’s fourth and final Budget caps off four years of dramatically increased spending without significant results.

“Our province is limping when it could be running,” said Tory. “Ontario was once the real leader of the whole country and now we sputter. I don’t want Ontario to be the little engine that could – Ontario before Dalton McGuinty was the big engine that did and that’s what we must aspire to be again.”

The 2007 Budget shows that Dalton McGuinty increased annual spending by over $22 billion since he came to office. That’s an increase of over $4,500 in spending per household and it means Dalton McGuinty has increased spending by a staggering $750,000 for every hour he has been in office.

“When taxpayers ask themselves ‘is my job more secure? Are hospital emergency rooms better? Can I get to work and home any faster?’ Is the environment better? the answers are negative. Dalton McGuinty does the easy part – the spending – but he just doesn’t deliver results,” Tory said.

Tory pointed to three examples of areas where Dalton McGuinty’s spending spree has not achieved results Ontarians deserve – in the economy, health care and rural/Northern Ontario:

· Ontario was dead last in economic growth in 2006 compared to other provinces. Despite over 120,000 manufacturing job losses over the past two years, Dalton McGuinty still hasn’t introduced any sort of jobs plan.

· Dalton McGuinty has virtually ignored the needs of the long-term care sector and as a result seniors will suffer and wait times will lengthen.

· Rural Ontario and the North – farmers are worse off by another $100 million cut to the Ministry of Agriculture budget, and the North gets a facilitator to hold meetings on an economy in crisis.

“It takes strong leadership to make the big important decisions that will deliver results to the people of Ontario,” said Tory. “Dalton McGuinty has failed to deliver that leadership. With a huge revenue windfall, plus the money in the Federal Budget, Dalton McGuinty should have no problem starting to eliminate the health tax, while achieving much better results in public services. This government is awash in cash but it’s the poor suffering taxpayers who are continuing to take a bath.”

“It’s now clear he fooled us four years ago,” said Tory. “As we look at this Budget, I say to Dalton McGuinty on behalf of the hardworking taxpayers of Ontario, we won’t get fooled again.”

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John Tory Video Blog on the budget:
http://www.ontariopc.com/pcblog.asp

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Frank Klees:

KLEES: Budget Fails to Eliminate Double Standard for Long Term Care Residents

http://www.frank-klees.on.ca/news/2003/2007/Mar23_07BudgetFails.htm



Long-term care shortfall leaves seniors angry
Mar 24, 2007
Joan Ransberry
http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Regional/story/3922446p-4533768c.html


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Links: http://www.frankklees.com
http://www.ontariopc.com

Tory budget good for Newmarket!

Tory budget good for Newmarket!


Newmarket mayor Tony Van Bynen saw many positives in the federal Conservative budget and gave it a thumbs up for Newmarket. He was especially pleased with the environmental aspects and the extension of gas tax funding for towns and cities. Jamie Young and Margaret Black, mayors of East Gwillimbury and King also gave the budget the thumbs up. For complete quotes from all Northern York Region mayors, please read the article from the Era Banner below:

Thanks for reading...


Darryl

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Most northern mayors on board with budget

Mar 22, 2007
Joan Ransberry, Staff Writer

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Era_Banner/Aurora/story/3919342p-4530682c.html

Congratulations Era Banner!

Era Banner wins National Awards!

The Era Banner serving Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding area won several national awards from the Canadian Community Newspaper Association. Congratulations to Tracy Kibble, Ted McFadden, Joan Ransberry, David Teezel and the entire staff at York Region Newsgroup who have won several impressive awards in the past. Newmarket is extremely lucky to get their information from such a talented, professional, dedicated and fair minded group of journalists and staff who bring our community one of the best local newspapers in all of North America. Keep up the good work!!!!

Thanks for reading...


Darryl

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Era-Banner nets national awards

Mar 24, 2007

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Era_Banner/Newmarket/story/3922379p-4533845c.html

Support Walk for MS: April 15

Newmarket

The Newmarket Super Cities WALK for MS is happening on Sunday April 15 2007:

Early Check-in:	Saturday April 14th 11am-2pm
WALK Day Check-in Time:	8:30am
Start Time:	9:30
Location:	Newmarket Community Centre Arena
Route Length:	5 & 10km

This year’s honorary chair is Joe Sponga, Councillor.

"Tens of thousands of Canadians live with MS on a daily basis; this debilitating disease must be eradicated from our society. With our collective effort we can keep the torch of hope alive and work toward finding a cure.

The Super Cities WALK for MS is a wonderful opportunity for our family, friends and colleagues to join in a day of fun and take part in winning the battle against multiple sclerosis."

Addicted to Facebook

Addicted to Facebook:

I have got to be honest, and over the past two months I have really become an internet geek. Facebook has exploded online and gives users the opportunity to post a profile, share pictures/videos/notes, join various groups, organize events and add friends. Not only does this program allow you to reconnect with old elementary school, high school, university and old coworker friends, it is also becoming a new avenue for the media and politicians to reach out to young voters and people in general. Several politicians from Peter Kent to Ken Dryden to Ruby Dhalla have created a profile online (Conservatives need better representation as right now mostly Liberal MPs are members). Other interesting people include Tasha Kheiriddin, David Akin, Brigitte Legault and Stephen Taylor. The program also works as a great contact management tool. Quickly this program is becoming a new communication tool to assist during campaigns. It is also evidence of the new digital democracy revolution that is influencing politics and the media today and certainly into the future. Very soon there will be a day when every politician is expected to blog, post videos on You Tube and create profiles on Facebook. Soon I think our democracy will improve and become more interactive. I would recommend politicians of all stripes get connected with this new platform online.


To be my virtual friend click below:

Facebook me!


Thanks for reading...


Darryl

Canadians convinced that global warming exists

Canadians convinced that global warming exists

Updated Thu. Mar. 22 2007 8:57 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Canadians are convinced that global warming exists and that it is having a negative impact on day-to-day living, says a new poll.

The Angus Reid survey says 77 per cent of Canadians are convinced that global warming is a problem. Only two per cent flatly reject the notion that the earth's climate has changed.

Thirty per cent of Canadians feel that climate change is a pressing issue in this country and that it should be given almost as much attention as health care.

About 70 per cent of respondents believe that theories about global warming are "true science," 12 per cent think they're "junk science" and 19 per cent are not sure.

Men (17 per cent) were more likely than women (seven per cent) to identify global warming as junk science.

Views about global warming also vary from province to province.

Only 69 per cent of Albertans are convinced that the phenomenon is real in contrast to 83 per cent of Quebecers.

Overall, 47 per cent of Canadians said they regularly encourage others to be more environmentally conscious.

About one-third of Canadians, 32 per cent, feel climate change is the most important issue facing humanity. A higher number, 54 per cent, feel it is no more important than other issues like HIV/AIDS, poverty or terrorism.

A second report from the poll will be released next week dealing with Canadian behaviour towards climate change.

The Canadian Press reported on some additional findings of the report that suggests wealthy, educated Canadians are worried about global warming but not enough to give up some of life's luxuries.

The results show a majority of Canadians are still unwilling to switch to fuel-efficient vehicles or to lower their thermostats at home.

Spending less time in the shower or cutting down on air travel were also things that those polled did not want to give up.

The survey polled 3,698 Canadian adults between March 6 and 19, 2007. The margin of error for the total sample is 1.6 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

African Culture Night

Time to get tough on Mugabe

Time to get tough on Mugabe

For far too long Robert Mugabe has been allowed to destroy democracy, the economy and human rights in Zimbabwe. His policies have led to a food crisis and a political crisis within the once prosperous African country. Like with Sudan, the world cannot continue to ignore the problems happening in Africa. The time is well past for the world to deal with Robert Mugabe. I recommend that everyone sign the petition below for tougher sanctions on this brutal regime.

Thanks for reading...


Darryl


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Eyewitness: Harare's brutal clash

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6443109.stm

Zimbabwe reaching 'turning point'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6473579.stm

'Crackdown' on Zimbabwe activists

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6469491.stm

Zimbabwe says food crisis worsening

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F3B490F1-C231-41F1-8420-EAC80EF8A369.htm

Zimbabwe opposition figure attacked

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/68846E72-5808-4249-8D81-247090A9AFDB.htm

Mugabe: Critics can 'go hang'

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3C4CC205-4E35-41E2-AB06-06EDA273C3AF.htm

Zimbabwe’s Crackdown Widens to Reach Opposition Grass Roots

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/20/world/africa/20zimbabwe.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Opposition in Zimbabwe Mounts, Says U.S. Diplomat

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/21/world/africa/21zimbabwe.html?ref=africa

How Zimbabwe Stays Afloat

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1601081,00.html

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Dear friend,

Robert Mugabe's brutal treatment of his political opponents in Zimbabwe is tearing his country apart. Would you sign our petition to enforce tougher, targeted sanctions against his regime to force him to respect human rights? Sign the Petition

In the last few days, Zimbabwe has plunged further into crisis, with key democratic activists beaten by their government. Click below to sign the petition calling for stronger, targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe's leaders:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/zimbabwe


On Sunday, while boarding a plane to an international meeting, Zimbabwe's democratic opposition spokesman was beaten so severely that he lost an eye. Last week, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was arrested and beaten for attending a protest prayer vigil. Other democratic activists in Zimbabwe are under a terrible threat, with many still held in prison.

We can't let this moment of international attention pass without pressing for effective action. We intend to deliver our petition by the end of the week. If Europe and neighbouring South Africa (Zimbabwe's largest trading partners) threaten tougher sanctions, Mugabe will be forced to stop his attacks. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize winner from South Africa, is already calling on his country and others to take action. Click below to join him in calling for a response:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/zimbabwe/

Targeted sanctions (like freezing President Mugabe's assets in foreign banks) will not hurt ordinary Zimbabweans, and quick action now could prevent a catastrophe. And beyond this critical moment, standing in solidarity with the pro-democracy and human rights activists around the world is a first step towards creating the kind of world we want to live in.

Zimbabwe is dangerously far along the road to tyranny and state collapse. It is time to draw the line.

With hope,

Ben, Hannah, Galit, Ricken, and the Avaaz team

Iraq steps up anti-Israel boycott

Iraq steps up anti-Israel boycott
By MICHAEL FREUND

Talkbacks for this article: 26

The US-backed Iraqi government is enforcing the Arab boycott of Israel with increasing frequency, The Jerusalem Post has learned, with the number of boycott-related incidents involving US firms operating in Iraq nearly quadrupling last year, according to official US statistics.

In its recently released annual report for 2006, the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security noted that there had been 31 cases in which the Iraqi government had engaged in restrictive trade practices last year.

In 2005, according to the previous year's report, there were a total of just eight such cases involving Iraq.

US law bars American firms from complying with boycott-related requests and requires them to report any such incidents to the authorities. These might include demands made of companies to verify that their products do not contain components made in the Jewish state or signing forms attesting that they do not do business with Israel.

The most recent edition of the Business Guide for Iraq, a handbook that was published by the US Commerce Department last year, cautions American businessmen regarding Iraq's participation in the anti-Israel boycott.

"Currently, some US companies are reporting requests from Iraq for adherence to the Arab League boycott of Israel," says the guide, noting that, "compliance with such requests may be prohibited by the Export Administration Regulations."

In addition, the guide also states that, "Some US companies have been asked to certify their adherence to the Arab League Boycott of Israel when they apply to register their intellectual property rights in Iraq."

Contacted by the Post, an official at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv said, "the United States government is continuing to review this matter."

Iraqi officials were unavailable for comment.

It was unclear why Iraq began enforcing the Arab boycott of Israel more energetically last year. However, the Iraqi government sent an official representative to take part in the annual meeting of international liaison officers of the Arab League boycott Office in Damascus last May.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss ways of intensifying the trade embargo against the Jewish state.

At the time, a US State Department spokesman told the Post that Washington was "disappointed" over Iraq's decision to participate in the boycott of Israel, and said American officials had "raised this issue with Iraqi officials in the past and expect to raise it with them again."

Free Trade with India

Conservatives the Champions of Free Trade:

The same government that gave Canada NAFTA with the United States, is now looking for trade opportunities abroad with potential free trade deals with India and South Korea. There have also been efforts to improve commercial ties with the EU, China, Australia, and Japan. Free trade and improving trade relations is crucial as we compete within an increasingly global economy and prepare for the economic rise of China, India, Brazil and Russia.

Thanks for reading...


Darryl

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Feds to seek free trade deal with India: report

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070312/india_deal_070312/20070312?hub=TopStories

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Ottawa pitching trade deal to India

Agreement would create huge market for service industry

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070312.windia12/BNStory/National/home

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Flying with Jack Layton

Flying with Jack Layton:

Unfortunately Monday March 5, I missed the local Conservative nomination in order to fly out to Disney World for a trade show. On my flight to Orlando, I ran into Jack Layton and we had the chance to talk for a little while. Issues that came up included the Clean Air Act, upcoming federal budget, ATM fees, floor crossing, the Green Party and decorum in the house. Overall the experience of meeting him was positive and I found him to be very approachable and committed to his principles. In politics we may not always agree with each other, but I believe anyone who puts their name forward to serve this country should be respected. Jack Layton's NDP party is currently fighting for survival against a surging Green and repackaged Liberal Party. NDP officials are putting all of their faith in their leader and his personality for the next election as demonstrated by their recent ads. It should be interesting to see how the NDP do in the next election and who represents them in Newmarket-Aurora both provincially and federally.


Thanks for reading...


Darryl

Congratulations Rob Sinclair

Congratulations Rob Sinclair:

I would like to send my congratulations out to Rob Sinclair who is now the National Campaign Manager for the Green Party. I worked with Rob during Belinda Stronach's campaign and found him to be a talented, hard working, and smart guy. I wish him the best of luck in this new role. He might be the one guy who can finally get the Green party into parliament.

Thanks for reading...

Darryl

Federal Council appoints new National Campaign Manager

On March 11, Federal Council appointed Rob Sinclair as the new National Campaign Manager for the Green Party of Canada. Rob has a wealth of experience in both politics and the environment.

Rob’s political experience dates back over 20 years and includes federal, provincial and municipal campaigns. He was the Organization Chair for Toronto Mayor David Miller in the last municipal election, and has also worked on the campaigns of Belinda Stronach, David Crombie and Jean Doré, among many others.

Rob was Senior Campaign Consultant for the International Fund for Animal Welfare from 2001 to 2006 and is now a private consultant with Defenders of Wildlife and WildAid.

As National Campaign Manager, Rob is the top staff person responsible for the next election campaign. We’re glad to have him on our team!

Harper's Green Tour includes Oak Ridges Marine and our own backyard!

Harper brings Green Attitude to York Region


In the past year, no other issue has captured the attention of the media and Canadians more than climate change. In the most recent Conservative budget, we have seen money come right into York Region for the environment. This includes the land conservation program announced as Stephen Harper toured the Oak Ridges Marine near our riding. It also includes the joint announcement with the provincial government on the extension of the TTC Subway to York University and into York Region. Recently we have seen incentives for fuel efficient cars in the budget and an investment in hydrogen fuel technology in B.C. Instead of rallying around the word Kyoto and accusing others of stealing "Liberal" ideas, this government has gotten something tangible accomplished on the Green file. Sadly that cannot be said for 13 years of Liberal rule including when Dion was environment minister. Conservatives have invested in carbon technologies for the oil sands, renewable fuels production, wind and other renewable sources of energy, fuel efficient cars, conservation, chemicals, air pollution/smog, public transportation, and soon hard caps for all Canadian industries on green house gas emissions. Harper has also called for a new UN environmental conference that would include all nations showing leadership on the world stage on this issue. He has stressed the need for Canada to be a clean energy super power and is assisting other levels of government with their local green projects. He has been honest about Canada not being able to meet its Kyoto targets, while at the same time taking action to at least improve the status quo and get us closer to where we should be. We clearly are not withdrawing from Kyoto and should negotiate realistic targets for Canada at the next round of negotiations. Harper is providing tax incentives for environmental causes while at the same time getting tougher on polluters through regulation. Stephen Harper is also the only leader who has talked about a balanced approach between the environment and the Canadian economy and demanded that environmental spending improve only Canadian green projects. We must create green jobs and avoid losing jobs within our environmental strategy. Harper and the Conservative party have found the right balance.

The environment is certainly going to be an issue in the next election campaign. It is an issue in Ontario with our coal power plants, it is an issue in York Region with the Oak Ridges Marine and it is a major issue in our towns and cities at the most local and individual family level. As we see around the world, governments everywhere are scrambling to take action. Solving this issue involves leadership to coordinate actions from governments, businesses and individuals. Like health care this issue will never be fully solved and always striving for improvement. The Conservative government has gotten us off to an important start but there is still a lot of work to do. It is refreshing to see a government that isn't all talk but not action. Finally in 2007 we are no longer caught up on the debate about the science, we are now brainstorming ways to deal with the tough challenges ahead and taking actions to change the global warming course. There is still reason for optimism on climate change.

Thanks for reading...

Darryl

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Harper pledges conservation cash


http://www.thestar.com/News/article/191756


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Harper comes to King to announce support for land conservancy
By Bill Rea

http://www.kingsentinel.com/news/2007/0321/news/005.html

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Canada’s new government announces investment to cut commute times, clear the air and drive the economy in the GTA

http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/72178

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Simcoe gets $12M for weed battle
Federal funding over 2 years will support clean-up

Mar 21, 2007
Serena Willoughby

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Advocate/story/3917007p-4528470c.html

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We're cleaning up our act: MP

Mar 10, 2007
Teresa Latchford

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Era_Banner/Newmarket/story/3906463p-4517846c.html

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Tories deliver funding bonanza
Feds legally committed to Hwy. 404 extension

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Advocate/story/3909154p-4521017c.html

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Canada to Phase Out C$300 Million Oil-Sands Tax Break

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aAhF72CZ7jDc&refer=canada

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Prime Minister Harper says Canada will be as green as Canadians want it to be

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=7fe38133-8e3f-475f-90bf-1c2a7c79ab81&k=42969

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Four in five Canadians believe global warming is real: survey

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070322.wclimatepoll0322/BNStory/ClimateChange/home

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Tories have no plans to quit Kyoto: Baird

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070316/g8_Baird_070317/20070317?hub=Politics

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Baird wants ban or limits on carbon market

Minister opposed to Canada selling Kyoto credits outside North America

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070323.wxharper23/BNStory/National/home

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Harper 'green tour' lands in energy-rich Alberta

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070308.wharper-climate0308/BNStory/Front

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PM doles out B.C.'s $200M share of eco-cash

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/03/13/ecotrust.html

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Finance added cars eligible for green incentives

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070324.wxethanol24/BNStory/National/home

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Out of the air and into the ground: Alberta and Canada join forces to assess technology to capture greenhouse gases

http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/72734

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PM offers Ontario cash for transit, environment

Harper's tune more harmonious in weekend meeting with McGuinty

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070305.PARK05/TPStory/TPNational/Ontario/

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Tories Offer Big Rebate On Fuel Efficient Cars But Stay Cool On Global Warming

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_8921.aspx

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Tories balance green, jobs

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/National/2007/03/23/3812796-sun.html

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Tories look abroad for emission cuts

http://www.thestar.com/Unassigned/article/193297

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Harper says he wants Canada to become clean energy superpower

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=e679ccc2-3eac-42ea-95f4-6ef94584dedc&k=63185

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Tories to unveil industry emission targets soon

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070322/harper_environment_070322/20070322?hub=TopStories

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Al Gore praises young people for awareness of global warming

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=4f44c3dc-dcde-4bd5-972e-b953cecdaf9c&k=74595

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Gore, Suzuki will address youth climate summit

http://cjournal.concordia.ca/journalarchives/2006-07/mar_8/008879.shtml

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Harper would attend UN climate-change meeting

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=e0d0ede6-742b-4aec-ba1c-b60423c03b47

Blood Donation and Inn From the Cold

Blood and Organ Donation:

Last Tuesday I was happy to donate blood at the Newmarket Community Centre. The process is painless and the cause is essential. I am also proud to be an organ donor. For more information on donating blood please visit Canada Blood Services at:

http://www.blood.ca






Rotary Break the Back of Winter for Inn from the Cold:

March 4, the Newmarket Rotary Club held its annual "Break the Back of Winter" golf tournament at Bayview Park in Newmarket. I would like to thank all those who came out to support us including Tony Van Bynen, John Taylor, Tom Taylor, Victor Woodhouse, Larry Blight and Dave Kerwin. Proceeds went to Inn from the Cold, an organization that deals with Newmarket's homeless during the winter season.

For more information on Inn from the Cold please visit:

http://www.innfromthecold.ca

For more information on Newmarket Rotary Club please visit:

http://www.newmarketrotary.org

Trump's comments refreshing

Trump's Comments Refreshing

Donald Trump was on the Situation Room today with Wolf Blitzer speaking about the 2008 Presidential election, the Iraq war and the Bush administration. It was refreshing to hear someone with a brutally honest opinion speaking with common sense. If only the democrats had the same courage to end this illegal and immoral war in Iraq, the entire country would be better off. To read the full transcript of Mr. Trump's comments, please click below:

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/03/16/trump.blitzer.transcript.31707.pdf

Thanks for reading...

Darryl

Is Belinda running in the next election?

Is Belinda running in the next election?

It seems there are some questions about Belinda Stronach and her intention to run in the next election for the Liberal Party. Below is an article about Martha Hall Findlay finding a riding in Toronto. At the end of the article, Robert Fife speculates on the future of Belinda Stronach. People close to Belinda confirm that she does plan to run and are willing to bet money on it. I guess time will tell. The fact that she rarely gets up in the House of Commons to ask a question and her lack of a strong voice within the Liberal party should be a concern for the constituents in Newmarket-Aurora. Did she make a mistake leaving the Conservative Party???

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070315/findlay_riding_070315/20070315?hub=TopStories

However, the political future of Belinda Stronach -- one of the Liberals' most prominent female MPs -- has come into question in Ottawa recently, Fife said.

"She has been more or less eclipsed since the Liberal leadership race. She doesn't have a critic's job, she rarely ever gets up in the House of Commons to ask questions, and people here in Ottawa are wondering whether she is going to run again for the party," Fife said.

"Her office and she herself insist that she is, but there are some doubts here."

Thanks for reading…

Darryl

Great local blogs

Great local blogs:

Blogging has the potential to change grass roots politics and improve the democratic system that is currently being hijacked by the blind partisanship of today’s politicians. As Garth Turner experienced, it isn’t easy expressing independent views and truly communicating and engaging people in the political process. In every campaign regardless of party or location, it is routine to hear one liners such as “we need to get more young people involved”, “we need to appeal to new residents”, “we need to reach out to minorities and women”, “we need to be an open broad based campaign where everyone has the right to express their ideas”, and “we want to bring the people’s message to Ottawa not Ottawa’s message to the people.” While these messages all sound great, in reality it is just rhetoric. If you join a political party, you will constantly be contacted for financial donations and expected to give up time away from your family and friends to attend events, rallies and meetings. Unfortunately, once you express an idea that goes against or beyond the party platform; you are quickly marginalized and become the black sheep of the riding association. While this is a sad commentary of our political system, it is the reality that bloggers everywhere are facing today. Despite this opposition, many great thinkers are taking a risk and posting their views in cyberspace for all to see. In 2007, it is no longer acceptable to ignore Facebook, You Tube and the blogosphere.

Three things have led our political system astray from the views of regular people. Politicians themselves who are concerned about getting re-elected in the short term more so than making the long term changes required to improve our province or nation. The media, that has focused on sound bites and image more so than the core issues relating to the problems being faced. Finally some responsibility has to be assigned to the people who have largely tuned out and lost confidence in the system. This is demonstrated by our decreasing voter turnout, increased apathy and the fact only 7% of citizens trust their elected officials. Because our system is broken, politicians of all stripes hide behind photo ops, talking points and simplified debates while dodging controversial issues in order to sell their brand image to the community. If we are ever going to address the real issues that matter to people such as climate change, world peace, healthcare and the economy; we need the people to rise up and take back our democracy. Blogging is a step in the right direction in terms of achieving this goal.

In Newmaket-Aurora we have a series of great local bloggers. Below are some links that are worth checking out for political junkies interested in engaging in an intelligent debate on the issues.

Dianne Wood:

http://familymatterswithdianne.blogspot.com/index.html

Ross Chevalier:

http://myjadedeye.blogspot.com

Luca Colasanto:

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=504576702

Kirk West:

http://kirkwest.blogspot.com

Green Party Nomination:

Glenn Hubbers:

http://www.hubbers.ca

The Green Party nomination race is now underway. For those interested it takes place on Saturday April 21 at 10am. The location is the Aurora Town Hall. Glenn Hubbers is once again seeking the nomination for the Green Party, a party rapidly earning respect as a mainstream alternative in the upcoming elections. Belinda Stronach has been acclaimed the Liberal candidate and Lois Brown just won the nomination for the Conservative Party. The NDP has yet to select their candidate for the upcoming election. For those who haven’t had the chance to visit his website, Glenn Hubbers provides an interactive blog and lots of information on the Green Party, its platform and position on local issues. For more information on the Green Party’s local nomination, please visit: http://www.newmarketauroragreens.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=8&Itemid=123

Thanks for reading…

Darryl

Africa and Europe set for tunnel link

Africa and Europe set for tunnel link

By Richard Hamilton BBC News, Tangier, Morocco

Spain and Morocco have traditionally been linked by ferry

Plans to link Europe to Africa via a tunnel are gathering pace.

The Moroccan government has been holding talks with its Spanish counterparts to start the project, which would consist of a railway beneath the Strait of Gibraltar carrying freight, passengers and cars.

Work is expected to start in 2008.

The ferry between Tangier in Morocco and southern Spain is the traditional way people have travelled from Africa to Europe.

But that could change if a tunnel is built between the two continents.

If that is the case, Africa and Europe, which split apart millions of years ago, could soon be joined together again permanently via a tunnel.

The man entrusted with designing the tunnel is the veteran Swiss engineer Giovanni Lombardi.

He has already been involved with many great projects, including the Gotthard Pass tunnel in Switzerland and the Mont Blanc tunnel which links France and Italy.

But he says this one may be his toughest assignment yet.

"No works in the world compare to this one," he said.

"There are a lot of challenges. First of all the sea at this point is 300m (1,000ft) deep - about five to six times deeper than the Channel Tunnel [linking the UK and France].

"Then there is the geological conditions. There are quite a lot of tectonic movements between the African and the European plates. So there would be quite a lot of movements in the earth, of stresses and so on."

The exploratory equipment looks basic

On a cliff top outside Tangier stands a rusty frame with cables and weights. It may not look very much but this is the start of a shaft that descends 300m below sea level, and this is where scientists and engineers are examining the sea bed to see how difficult it will be to drill into the rock.

The team is lead by engineer Jillali Chafik from the Moroccan research team SNED.

"At the moment we are carrying out the last studies into the sea bed which hold the key for the railway tunnel," he said.

"These studies should be finished by the end of 2007. We are looking at how the tunnel will actually work and the amount of traffic that will use the tunnel, once it starts."

Political will

The blueprint for the tunnel envisages two tubes for train lines beneath the Strait of Gibraltar, with an emergency or service tunnel in between them.

The tunnel would run deep beneath the Mediterranean

Like the Eurotunnel project, the trains would carry passengers as well as cars.

It has been talked about since the early 1980s, but the Moroccans say this time there is the political will. They are now in the final stages of the feasibility study which will be completed by the end of the year, with construction starting soon after.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero recently visited Morocco and said that Spain was fully committed to the project.

"It will be a great symbol of our times," he said.

"It will change the face of Europe and Africa. With support from members of the European Union, we can build this historic connection between the two continents."

Morocco's minister for transport, Karim Ghellab, says there would be huge economic benefits for his country.

"It's clearly desirable that Morocco and Africa are joined to Europe by a fixed link," he told me.

"It would ease communications between the two, and allow passengers and goods to move easily between the two continents. It's an historic project which the world needs today and it will go ahead," he said.

Bankruptcy fears

That is the official line, but ordinary Moroccans remain sceptical.

The fortunes of the Channel Tunnel were followed closely here, and people have read the bad press about massive cost overruns, and desperate attempts by immigrants to cross into the UK from France.

A group of students pointed out some of the downsides of a tunnel.

"I wonder if the problem of illegal immigration will be solved or not. By the time the tunnel is built young people will see the tunnel as a chance to run away," one said.

"It will take a lot of money away from Morocco where we have so many problems - like poverty and unemployment," said another.

"You can see what happened to the tunnel between England and France and the company almost went bankrupt so you can imagine what would happen to Moroccan companies if they participated in such a project".

But scientists and politicians on both sides of the Mediterranean now seem convinced that the design will become a reality.

The big question is where the money will come from. Estimates of cost vary between $8bn and $13bn (£4.1bn - $£6.7bn).

It is hoped that funding can be raised via two publicly owned companies in Spain and Morocco, as well as financial support from the European Union.

If the money is forthcoming, the very first fixed link between Europe and Africa could become one of the modern wonders of the world.

Lois Brown wins Nomination

Lois Brown Wins Newmarket-Aurora CPC Nomination:

Last Monday, Lois Brown won the Conservative nomination in Newmarket-Aurora and will now go on to face Belinda Stronach when the next federal election occurs. I would like to send my congratulations out to both candidates who represented themselves well throughout the campaign as well as the nomination committee who ran a smooth event. Lois Brown is a great candidate and our local riding association is very lucky to have her represent us in the next election. Very few people care about the concerns of real people more than Lois Brown. I am quite confident that should she be elected, she will be an incredibly hard working accessible MP who will get things done for the constituents of Newmarket-Aurora. Her commitment to community events and the Conservative Party is inspiring. Given the momentum of Stephen Harper and the record of the Conservative Party in this minority parliament, I fully expect Belinda Stronach will be facing a strong challenge in Newmarket-Aurora for her seat in the House of Commons. It is now time for the local riding association to get fully united and prepare for an election that could happen within the next 30 days.

Unofficial Results:

Lois Brown: 244

Kirk West: 40

Spoiled Ballots: 2

Total votes cast: 286

For more information on Lois Brown please visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Brown\

www.loisbrown.ca

www.cpcnewmarketaurora.ca

Local media coverage:

Brown gets Tory nod

Mar 8, 2007
Joan Ransberry, Staff Writer

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Era_Banner/Aurora/story/3903542p-4514364c.html


Veterans need your help getting to Ottawa

Mar 15, 2007
Joan Ransberry

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Era_Banner/Aurora/story/3911272p-4522811c.html

Jobs for life no longer

Jobs for life no longer

Mar 8th 2007
From The Economist print edition
A surprise vote should drag the upper house forward into the 18th century

Getty Images

AMONG the quirks that make the House of Lords such a delightful place, the difficulty of getting hold of its members rates high. Few have offices, many eschew e-mail and the only blackberries to be found are in the dining room, beneath a thick layer of crumble.

This may now change, after the House of Commons voted by a majority of 113 on March 7th for a fully elected House of Lords. The vote was of an advisory kind, and so has no force as legislation. But it will guide the government's choices when it introduces a bill, perhaps as soon as in the next parliament, to reform the Lords. Their Lordships have a say next week, and are unlikely to embrace their total liquidation. But make no mistake: a big step towards real reform of the second chamber has been taken.



The clarity of the outcome is a surprise. Last time the Commons was asked to vote for change, in 2003, MPs wound up looking silly. None of the seven options on offer gained decisive support and all the rousing talk of reform came to nothing. The same might have happened this time. MPs had eight options to choose from. First they were asked whether they wanted to abolish the Lords altogether. Then, after that had been rejected, seven options were presented, ranging from appointing all the members of the upper house to electing them all, with various blends in between. Jack Straw, the leader of the House of Commons, favoured a 50-50 mix, as did Tony Blair. Gordon Brown, the chancellor of the exchequer and probable prime minister from this summer, preferred a chamber with 80% of its members elected.

Most expected votes to cluster around the 80-20 split. So the majority for full democracy is a surprise too. The outcome had some unexpected authors. Some MPs who opposed reform voted for the most extreme version on offer, calculating that this was the best way to goad the Lords into opposing it. Most, though, just wanted the tidy resolution of what had long seemed an anachronism, albeit a rather effective one.

If resisting the government's will is indeed a mark of effectiveness, then the unreformed Lords have been doing a fine job since most of their hereditary members were removed from the chamber in 1999. In the intervening years the Lords have defeated the government more than 350 times, according to the Constitution Unit at University College London. Although Labour has the largest number of peers, they are harder to control than their cousins in the lower house. And an alliance of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and independents can easily defeat the Labour lords, should they choose to do so. They have been particularly truculent when defending unpopular causes such as civil liberties. Even so, support for this crew of unelected spoilers has been rising.

The pressure to reshape the Lords comes not from the voters but from politicians. On the face of it, this is odd. MPs know that a democratically elected upper house will challenge their supremacy, and many grumbled about this in the debate that preceded the vote this week. Three things tipped them towards getting rid of all hereditary and appointed peers.

First, some opposition MPs wanted a brake on government, even if it might slow down their own party one day. Second, arguing against more democracy is a hard thing for any elected politician to do. And third, the vote took place just as a whiff of old corruption surrounding the present system for appointing the Lords intensified (see article). The Metropolitan Police, who have been investigating what has become known as the cash-for-honours affair, probably had more sway over MPs than centuries of accumulated thought about what Britain's constitution might look like. Most MPs explained their votes in terms of sweeping away once and for all the parties' powers of patronage.
The party continues

For Mr Straw, the result is a triumph, even if it was not exactly the one he hoped for. He is tipped these days as a possible chancellor if Gordon Brown becomes prime minister, and the vote has improved his prospects. But those who hope that the vote will see the death of party patronage in the upper house should probably look away now.

Much depends on how the new breed of lord is elected. The government wants a third to be chosen every five years. Each member would serve a single 15-year term and thereafter would be barred from standing for election to the upper house again. The appointed peers (and the few remaining hereditaries) would slowly shuffle away, but in the meantime the Lords would swell to a huge size, mixing life peers with temporary ones. The law lords are to be pulled out into a separate supreme court, but the fate of the 26 Church of England bishops who currently sit in the Lords is not yet clear.

If the government gets its way, the lords would be chosen from regional lists and elected according to proportional representation, as members of the European Parliament are now. The parties would control these lists, so the same sorts of people who are currently appointed to the Lords—doughty supporters, ageing MPs getting in the way of younger talent and perhaps even party donors—might well end up there, but this time with offices and pension plans. Nobody really knows what the change might cost, though David Lipsey, a Labour peer who used to write for The Economist and opposes the reform, has estimated it at over a billion pounds.

Nor is it clear what these new politicians ought to do with their mandate. Britain is not a federal democracy, so the Lords would have no separate interest to balance against the will of the Commons. But right now such objections seem churlish. A fully elected Lords is far neater than the other options, and the vote marks an end to centuries of holding out against democracy. Now all that's needed is someone to work out what its powers should be.

Darryl quoted in Era Banner

Darryl quoted in the Era Banner:

Today I was quoted in the Era Banner about the nomination process. I think this was a very well written article that offers a great starting point for anyone wanting to take that first step in running for office. It is good to see some media attention on this aspect of our democracy. To view the article, visit the link below:


SALES PITCH or Backroom POLITICS
Battles won, lost long before voters head to polls
Mar 1, 2007
Caroline Grech
http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Regional/story/3896479p-4506167c.html


There was also a great guest column in the same issue that I think was excellent. Ron Csillag does a great job of closing off this mosque issue and there is no question this town deserves neither of these two extremists. This column is a great read with some great research and facts including about the JDL. Definetely a recommended reading. At the end of the day, I think the Era Banner has done a good job covering all of the angles to this story.

Bangash, Weinstein: town deserves neither
Guest column
Mar 1, 2007
Ron Csillag
http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Columns/story/3896404p-4506123c.html

Bowling for Kids Sake

Pictured above: Team Klees (I am on the far right) at the Bowling for Kids Sake
event in Aurora. I am looking forward to doing it again in Newmarket this weekend as well. The event is in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of York Region.

For more information on this event and Big Brothers Big Sisters of York Region, please visit the website below:

http://www.bbbsy.ca/en/Home/default.aspx