Canadian politics | Political Insider

John Ibbitson,Election 2015 and the polls! #bcpoli #canpoli #canada #election2015

Which Emery will give Trudeau the most Grief?

It’s the Economy Stupid!

Doesn’t matter what election or where; all elections are fought on the economy.

In 2015, assuming we have not had a visit from Mad Max by then, the Canadian federal election will be fought on the economy and as John Ibbitson quite rightly says world events will influence that election as never before.

What nobody can tell you today is what the world will look like in October 2015 and that includes pollsters.

I don’t recall a time, in my generation anyways, when the world was as close to boiling over and going to war as it seems they are now.

I remember reading about friend being pitted against friend in the referendums that were held in Quebec. That will be nothing compared to what will happen here if the middle east crisis worsens.You just need to scan Facebook for the stands that people are taking already.

The pollsters would have you think the coming Apocalypse is all about the death of the Conservative party,how they will be relegated to third place. The NDP will rise from the Ashes they say and lo and behold people are polling in favor of the Liberals not because they want Trudeau but because they want to be Liberal.

Pulease…

Between the coming Emery Circus,( you can choose which Emery will give Trudeau the most grief) the Trudeau memoirs and events on the world stage, how would any sane person know what is going to happen in 2015?

The Only pollster in my mind worth his salt is Dimitri Pantazopoulos who recently said “At this point, I won’t say who will win the next election. But only because the question is completely irrelevant.
Let’s see what the next 400 days hold in store for the government and opposition parties.”

I would add and lets see what is in store for the world.

What do you think?

Rumor du Jour: Burnaby Municipal! #bcpoli #burnaby #Corriganhastogo

Rumor on the Street has Dr.Daren Hancott jumping in and leading the charge for the Burnaby First Coaltion efforts to rid the city of long time socialist mayor Derek Corrigan.

Corrigan and crew have been around for 27 painstaking ( read long) years and it seems the good citizens of Burnaby are itching to give him the bum’s rush.

And so they should, the community deserves some fresh ideas and Corrigan has go to go!

Surrey Refusal to fly Pride Flag denies local business hundreds of thousands in economic benefit. #holycow #missedchance #ferriswheel #surrey #bcpoli #canpoli #pride #itsrasodetime

What’s the Cost to Surrey of not Flying this Flag?

Today we have an excellent piece written by special guest blogger,Martin Rooney,detailing the economic impact of not flying the Pride Flag in Surrey.

So we have had the conversation about the social impact of raising and flying the Pride Flag at Surrey City Hall; (the statement that Surrey is open to the GLBT business community, that Surrey is embracing of the GLBT community by offering space that might facilitate an ever-growing youth population that is intolerant of labels and so on..) that has apparently fallen on deaf ears.
So now let us take a look at the potential economic positives of embracing flying the Pride Flag and fully embracing the Pride Festival and see if this was to be weekend of events how it could potentially have a positive impact on the city, its businesses and taxpayers…….
New West raised and flew the Pride Flag during the Olympic and Paralympic games on a city flag pole in unison with the National outpouring of support for the GLBT Athletes in Sochi .New Westminster has a fourth flag pole referred to as a friendship pole which is located just east of City Hall in Friendship Park. The City Council has totally embraced NW Pride, closed off Columbia Street for the Festival Day and many local businesses are sponsors/partners of this years Festival. Anticipated economic impact to New West is expected to be north of $500k according the President of Royal City Pride.
Prince George Annual Gay Pride Celebrations across North America are used as major tools to generate economic activity while promoting a right culture and a safe and inclusive community for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirited, Queer and Questioning citizens. While in major city centres like Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto etc. are much more likely to see more tourism and local economic activities based on size and location, places like Prince George are in a uniquely different situation and often have to work smarter to create more activity. The Prince George Pride Society has worked very hard to bridge the gap between local businesses and local government as a means to move forward plans to use the Gay Pride Celebrations to generate more economic activity. The positive relationships that have been formed with local business such as Topaz Bead Gallery, SHAGG Romance Enhancement Centres, the Ramada Hotel, etc. have all benefited directly from the ongoing support of our Mayor and Council. ” Due to the nature of our local economic industry drivers and the diversity that exists within a smaller centre like Prince George we recognize that the economic and social success aspects of the Gay Pride Celebration are not mutually exclusive to one relationship or another. In fact it is only from the successful and positive relationships between local government, businesses, labour unions, and other service agencies that the Pride Celebrations in Prince George has survived and flourished over the last 18 years. While the actual economic impact has not been analyzed at this point, we know that these relationships would not have been continued if the economic relationship was not successful”. (Valentine Crawford – PG Pride)
Victoria and other cities hosting Pride have not surveyed the record of economic impact known at time of writing; there was no need to, it is however apparent that positive economic impact occurred as these cities continue to host Pride events. Trina Mousseau (Tourism Victoria) reports that there is a huge positive economic impact to embracing Pride in Victoria. People frequent local bars, stores and spend money, as they are having fun. The Legislature flies the Pride Flag as does the city and down by the inner harbour. Quote “The Pride Parade has significant economic impact to Victoria. It is a day where thousands of people fill our streets, restaurants and shops, spending money while showing their support for our vibrant LGBTQ community.”
Vancouver flew the Pride Flag in support of the Sochi Athletes and flies the Pride Flag at City Hall, has banners throughout the west end, has side walks painted in the rainbow colours, and this year on the “flag island” at the foot of Davie and Denman, is flying 6 trans pride flags and 6 rainbow pride flags. This is the first year that Vancouver Pride Parade has become an official civic event and the estimated economic impact to the Vancouver economy is $30 M according to the VPS General Manager Ray Lam – yes MILLION generated over week-long celebrations. Attendance at the Parade in 2013 was some 500,000 people line the route.(source Global TV). Vancouver is also advertised worldwide as a tourist destination for GLBT Travel.
A historic first for North America with Toronto having just hosted the first ever World Pride in North America. Despite the lack of support both visible and apparent from Mayor Rob Ford. the scenes of Canada’s largest city embracing millions or people from across the Globe proud of who they are, was amazing. There was also a human rights conference attached to the World Pride events,
The economic impact of the willingness to fly the Pride flag on municipal flag poles and embrace Pride Parades and/or festivals has served many Canadian cities well. Imagine the potential economic impact of Surrey Pride if the city was to embrace the Flag and look at placing the festival to “open” Fusion Festival week. Holland Park would be full two weekends in a row, and the economic impact could be astounding to the local businesses.
So what is the city of Surrey doing to embrace a potentially large positive economic impact of Pride to its residents?
Refusing to fly the Pride Flag and “sponsoring” the Pride Festival to the tune of $1,000! yes $1,000 does not send a positive message to the Pride and business communities in Surrey or around the world for that matter.
Whether it be a 4th flag pole or amend the recent flag Protocol it might be advisable to take a proactive approach and live the motto – “The Future Lives Here”.

Of Flags and Ferris Wheels #surrey #bcpoli #pride #itsrasodetime

The Flag everybody id talking about! — The Flag they wouldn’t fly out front of Surrey city hall flies on my blog!

In the last week or so much kerfuffle has arisen form the controversial decision by Surrey Cit Council ( Read Surrey First and their wanna be Mayor Linda Hepner) to refuse to fly the Pride flag on a pole outside Surrey City hall.

Instead in what they think is a movement of political correctness they allowed the Pride folks to set up an exhibit inside the new City hall in the back of the foyer away from the elevators here it would be hard to see.

In case you have never been to New Surrey City hall it is an expensive white elephant everybody has been talking about lately with respect to the huge waste of money that could have been better spent elsewhere.

How hard would it have been to take the flag and fly it on the flag pole underneath the Surrey City flag.

For those folks in the Pride group which is comprised of people that are Gay,Lesbian,Bi-sexual and Transgender ( GLBT) this must seem like a step back.

After all it has taken them quite awhile to get out of the closet without being persecuted so to speak and now be asked to step back in . ( metaphorically speaking the new city hall represents in a way an expensive closet).

A little planning and foresight at the beginning would have allowed for a forth flag pole so that all community activities could have been represented out in front of the city hall.

That for me would be inclusion and a way to connect with the people.

What a wasted opportunity!

Which now brings us to Ferris wheels and back to wanna be Mayor Hepner.

About the same time this was going on she announced her intention to run for Mayor.

She also announced she wanted to put in a Ferris wheel.

This on the heels of the Surrey First/Hepner argument that a fourth flag pole would have been too expensive. ( Full disclaimer here folks : I haven’t shopped for either but I would bet the farm and the farmer that a Ferris wheel costs a tad more than a flag pole!)

Part of her reasoning would be that it would get children a fair like experience in an area known as Bridgeview.

News flash for Linda and her crew ; There are a large number of those same children in the lower mainland, part of which is Surrey that includes kids in The GLBT group who would have been served exponentially had a Pride flag been flown out in full view where they could have seen it.

Sure a Ferris wheel would give a kid a bit of instant gratification but a flag flown shows a victory earned and a colossal sign of strength.

Just ask any Vimy Ridge veteran.

It would have made these kids feel an important part of the community.

It would have said to them, you matter.

To me they do and that is why the flag flies on my blog.

Federal By-elections: Liberals and Conservatives each win two! #canpoli,#altapoli#election2015#onpoli #bcpoli

Four federal by-elections were held today , two in Ontario and two in Alberta.

What do the results mean for Canada ?

NOTHING

Nobody ( other than those who participated ) cares.

The mainstream media tried to make a story out of how close these were going to be.

Hardly.

Tonight and tomorrow they will try a paint this as a mortal wound to Thomas Mulcair and the NDP.

Hardly.

Nobody cares, it’s the Monday sandwiched in between the weekend and Canada Day.

I am surprised ( not) that anybody bothered to vote.

So go pour a beer or cut your grass ( Justin you can smoke yours) and Have a Happy Canada Day everybody!

Rumor Du Jour: Tom Gill where will he go? #bcpoli #canpoli #election2015 #surrey#itsrasodetime

Election 2015 is a year away and the tug o war for federal candidates has already started.

It seems both the Liberals and the Conservatives think the seat in the EDA of Surrey-Newton is winnable over light weight MP Jinny Sims.

Rumor out of Surrey has both parties trying to persuade Surrey First City Councilor Tom Gill to jump municipal ship and enter the federal arena.

Rumor has it that Gill has had the opportunity before but turned it down due to having a young family.

This time I would expect Gill to make the jump as Surrey First will likely fall victim to the growing machine known as #itsrasodetime.

Which party do you think he will join?

Wynne Wins: Get Ready for Rae days! #ontpoli #ontario #bcpoli #canpoli

Kathleen Wynne and her scandalous crew of Ontario Liberals won an overwhelming majority in the Ontario Election tonight and make no mistake about it: This win lands squarely in the lap of the dearly departed ( Tim Hudak) and the soon to be departed, Andrea Horwath.

Neither of them could get their respective bases out to vote and just like here in BC NDP Horwath’s crew LEFT her in droves in the last week of the campaign.

Their will be two leadership campaigns before the next election.

Wynne has said that she intends to recall the legislature with 20 days and reintroduce her budget that brought the election upon is in the first place.

If That budget goes through without huge changes expect credit rating agencies to start slashing Ontario’s credit rating making Canada’s largest have not province into largest Have even less than not province.

To preserve the credit rating and do the things that Wynne was proposing in budget will make some of Hudak’s campaign pledges look like a walk in the park.

So get ready for Rae days, they are coming to a community near you!

Ontario Election Debate:First Impressions Count! #onpoli #ontario #notwynning

People will remember: There is no difference between Wynne and McGuinty!

In my experience two things happen in debates.

Firstly they are stacked against the sitting Premier or Prime Minister by way of being out numbered by the opposition.

Secondly,first impressions matter and each leader gets one shot at either gaining or holding an audience.

Rarely is their ever a zinger the so-called knockout punch.

I can recall only three zingers in the number of years I have watched debates.

One is the often talked about Mulroney line that sunk John Turner back in 1988. ( you sir had an option)

The second would be Jack Layton’s dismantling of Mike Ignatieff in the 2011 election. ( worst voting record)

The third,surprisingly enough was John Cummins when he opened the 2013 BC Provincial election debate with the line:You all tuned in tonight to get a good look at the next premier of BC, Adrian Dix.

Well look they did,Dix was a deer in the headlights and Christie Clark shone and went on to win that election.

In the Ontario debate tonight, no matter how much BS the newspapers will have you believe ( maybe) there was no knock out punch.

There was however Kathleen Wynne making a lousy first impression and getting hammered on gas plants.

She looked awful and yes she apologized but guess what an apology is an admission of guilt.

One I think the voters of Ontario have been waiting to hear.

Prediction: This election, like all elections is about the economy and Wynne just reinforced in the voters minds ( she could have said no) that she is a weak leader who cant be trusted to manage their money.

On June the 12th the voters will vote no to Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals.

They will vote yes to Tim Hudak and the PC’s with an NDP led opposition.

( In BC people used to moan and groan about Gordon Campbell and then hold their noses and vote for him. They will do that for Hudak as well)

Just watch!

Rumor Du Jour! Surrey Newton. #bcpoli #canpoli #surrey

Harprret to Run for the CPC in Surrey Newton? — Harpreet Singh to Run for the CPC in Surrey Newton?

Interesting rumor on the street today has broadcaster Harpreet Singh running for the CPC nomination in Surrey Newton.

Harpreet has always played a leadership role in the community!

If true that would be awesome!

Stay tuned!

Bozo the Clown to Justin Trudeau: Please Stop ! #canpoli #bcpoli #onpoli

Bozo the Clown has had enough!

Justin Trudeau and his Mp’s are tarnishing his good name and it’s brought him to tears.

Once again Trudeau has made a statement and his Own MP has referred to it as a Bozo eruption.

Bozo wants this to stop. He says he has always been good at his job while Justin Trudeau is in way over his head.

He is afraid Trudeau and the Liberal Party will ruin his brand.

There is another year and a half to the next election.

Could Bozo be right?