Federal Election Stuff

[c9]

Some great info on significant ridings across the country, courtesy of NSRAP, for those who are into that sort of thing. When's Adam gonna get commenting on here? I need the Alberta Liberal skinny!!


Hello / Salut everybody... so sorry for the mass email -
... Hope everyone is doing well wherever in Canada you are...

Just wanted to remind everyone there's an important federal election coming up - MONDAY JUNE 28th!!! I HOPE everyone here is planning on voting?? Anyways, I'm sending this mass email in the hopes of getting everyone to vote this year to make your voice heard. On a personal level, I'm frightened by the recent polls showing the possibility of our beautiful country being ruled by a new conservative right-wing government like the U.S, and I'm feeling a bit helpless down here in San Diego so thought I'd do something about it. Some of you have asked me how your local electoral candidate for your district stands on certain issues like protecting equal rights for racial minorities as well as for gays. Although I do not believe in voting for a particular candidate just based on a single issue (ie. equal rights for gays), I do believe in having all the information before me to make an INFORMED choice when I make my selection. I'm at least able to inform those of you who might be interested on how your local candidates stand on the issue of equal rights for minorities and gays:

I've listed below the districts, and the people/parties slated to run in those districts, from Eastern Canada to Western Canada in order (scroll down if you don't see yours). I've then listed how each person stands on the minority/gay rights issue based on their voting record on bills in parliament, their being quoted in media, and their party's stance. Take a peek at your riding... you may be surprised (ie. most but not all NDP candidates are for equal rights; Liberals vary depending on your locale)...

I hope noone is offended by this email - I have no desire or right to tell any of you who to vote for - and if you're planning on making an informed decision to vote for the former Canadian Alliance turned Progressive Conservative party, then all the power to you. My intention is just to let you know how candidates stand on just one aspect (of many) - that being minority / racial / gay rights, so that you can make a more informed decision come voting time. Whatever you do, GO OUT AND VOTE! - I'll be doing the same by mail-in ballot from San Diego. If Monday June28th is a bad day for you to vote, then do an ADVANCE VOTING in your area on Friday June18th, Saturday June 19th, or Monday June 21st (to find out where, go to:

http://www.elections.ca/scripts/Pss/finded.aspx?L=e&page=newsearch

..and enter your postal code)!! Not going to be in town any of those days?? - not a problem! It's not too late to register to vote by mail! - info is at:

http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=ele&document=index&dir=38e/svr&lang=e&textonly=false .

***********************************

Listings are by district, from East Coast Canada to West Coast Canada. Not sure what electoral riding you're in? Just click on this link or email me:

http://www.elections.ca/scripts/Pss/finded.aspx?L=e&page=newsearch

... and enter your postal code, or select by province/etc. I've ONLY included the districts for those of you whom I know where you live. If you don't see your district listed below and you're interested to know what your district/candidates' stance are on the minorities/gay equality issue, then just email me and I'll send you the info or tell you how to find out if you prefer. If you want more details on why/what each candidate has said, email me and I'll give you the details and forward you to the source information.

"FOR" = has voted / been on the record in support of equal rights for minorities and gays.

"AGAINST" = has voted / been on the record against equal rights for minorities and gays


NOVA SCOTIA
************
*Halifax
- NDP (Alexa McDonough) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Sheila Fougere) - FOR (strongly)
- PC (Kevin Keefe) - AGAINST

*Halifax West
- NDP (Bill Carr) - FOR
- Liberal (Geoff Regan) - FOR
- PC (Ken MacPhee) - AGAINST

*Dartmouth-Cole Harbour
- NDP (Susan McAlpine-Gillis) - FOR
- Liberal (Michael Savage) - FOR
- PC (Mike MacDonald) - AGAINST

*Sackville-Eastern Shore
- NDP (Peter Stoffer) - AGAINST
- Liberal (Dale Stevens) - FOR
- PC (Steve Streatch) - AGAINST

*West Nova
- NDP (Arthur Bull) - FOR
- Liberal (Robert Thibault) - AGAINST
- PC (Jon Carey) - AGAINST

*Cape Breton-Canso
- NDP (Shirley Hartery) - FOR
- Liberal (Rodger Cuzner) - FOR
- PC (Kenzie MacNeil) - AGAINST

*Central Nova
- NDP (Alexis MacDonald) - FOR
- Liberal (Susan Green) - NOT KNOWN
- PC (Peter Mackay) - AGAINST

*Kings-Hants
- NDP (Skip Hambling) - FOR
- Liberal (Scott Brison) - FOR
- PC (Bob Mullan) - AGAINST

*South Shore-St. Maragaret's
- NDP (Gordon Earle) - FOR
- Liberal (John Chandler) - FOR
- PC (Gerald Keddy) - AGAINST

*Sydney-Victoria
- NDP (John Edwards) - FOR
- Liberal (Mark Eyking) - AGAINST
- PC (Howie MacDonald) - AGAINST


NEW BRUNSWICK
**************
*Fredericton
- NDP (John Carty) - FOR
- Liberal (Andy Scott) - FOR (strongly)
- PC (Kent Fox) - AGAINST

*Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe
- NDP (Helene Lapointe) - FOR
- Liberal (Claudette Bradshaw) - FOR (strongly)
- PC (Jean Leblanc) - AGAINST

*Saint John
- NDP (Terry Albright) - FOR
- Liberal (Paul Zed) - AGAINST
- PC (Bob McVicar) - AGAINST

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
********************
*Charlottetown
- NDP (Dody Crane) - FOR
- Liberal (Shawn Murphy) - AGAINST
- PC (Darren Peters) - AGAINST


QUEBEC
******
*Laurier
- NDP (Francois Gregoire) - FOR
- Bloc (Gilles Duceppe) - FOR
- Liberal (Jean-Francois Thibeault) - NOT KNOWN
- PC (Pierre Albert) - FOR

*Riviere-du-Nord
- NDP (Francois Cote) - FOR
- Bloc (Monique Guay) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Lorraine Auclair) - NOT KNOWN
- PC (Catherine Brosseau) - NOT KNOWN

*Chambly-Borduas
- NDP (Daniel Blouin) - FOR
- Bloc (Yves Lessard) - NOT KNOWN
- Liberal (Sophie Joncas) - NOT KNOWN
- PC (Lucien Richard) - NOT KNOWN

ONTARIO
********
*Toronto Centre
- NDP (Michael Shapcott) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Bill Graham) - FOR (strongly)
- PC (Megan Harris) - FOR

*Toronto-Danforth
- NDP (Jack Layton) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Dennis Mills) - AGAINST
- PC (Loftus Cuddy) - AGAINST

*Ottawa Centre
- NDP (Ed Broadbent) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Richard Mahoney) - FOR (strongly)
- PC (Mike Murphy) - AGAINST

*Ottawa West-Nepean
- NDP (Marlene Rivier) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Marlene Catterall) - FOR (strongly)
- PC (Sean Casey) - AGAINST

*Richmond Hill
- NDP (Nella Cotrupi) - FOR
- Liberal (Bryon Wilfert) - AGAINST
- PC (Pete Merrifield) - AGAINST

*Thornhill
- NDP (Rick Morell) - FOR
- Liberal (Susan Kadis) - NOT KNOWN
- PC (Josh Cooper) - AGAINST

*London North Centre
- NDP (Joe Swan) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Joe Fontana) - AGAINST
- PC (Tim Gatten) - AGAINST

*Guelph
- NDP (Phil Allt) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Brenda Chamberlain) - AGAINST
- PC (Jon Dearden) - AGAINST

ALBERTA
********
*Edmonton Centre
- NDP (Meghan McMaster) - FOR
- Liberal (Anne McLellan) - FOR
- PC (Laurie Hawn) - AGAINST

*Edmonton East
- NDP (Janina Strudwick) - FOR
- Liberal (John Bethel) - FOR
- PC (Peter Goldring) - AGAINST

*Calgary West
- NDP (Tim Patterson) - FOR
- Liberal (Justin Thompson) - FOR
- PC (Rob Anders) - AGAINST

BRITISH COLUMBIA
****************
*Vancouver-Kingsway
- NDP (Ian Waddell) - FOR
- Liberal (David Emerson) - NOT KNOWN
- PC (Jesse Johl) - AGAINST

*Vancouver-Centre
- NDP (Kennedy Stewart) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Hedy Fry) - FOR (strongly)
- PC (Gary Mitchell) - FOR

*Vancouver-South
- NDP (Bev Meslo) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Ujjal Dosanjh) - NOT KNOWN
- PC (Victor Soo Chan) - AGAINST

*************
That's it. All candidates confirmed as of Thursday June10th. Hope everyone is doing well.

Comments

[kdborg.livejournal.com]

Sackville-Eastern Shore
- NDP (Peter Stoffer) - AGAINST
- Liberal (Dale Stevens) - FOR
- PC (Steve Streatch) - AGAINST

An NDPer against? That doesn't seem right.

[leapfish.livejournal.com]

I believe that it was once said by Jack or Alexa that s/he would require all of the NDP to vote in favour of any pro legislation, since it's a matter of party policy.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Well, every party features people with their own opinions. But it's an interesting situation, since the NDP is the only party which actually requires its members to support (when voting) such minority- and equal-rights-related bills.

[joecdn.livejournal.com]

*Vancouver-Centre
- NDP (Kennedy Stewart) - FOR (strongly)
- Liberal (Hedy Fry) - FOR (strongly)
- PC (Gary Mitchell) - FOR

Behind Gary Mithcell - a close personal friend of mine (those of you who know me well will know just how close), it should say "FOR (strongly)" because he's the only fag of the three!!! Of course he's for gay rights - who authored this??!

Furthermore, there's more than three ridings in BC - get it complete, or don't publish it dammit!!!

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if Cam quoted the whole email ... originally the guy was just sending it out to people that he knew, and including their ridings. There are links to the other ridings for the curious ...

[c9.livejournal.com]

a) I quoted the whole email I received, it was in fact missing lots of info on other ridings.
b) Just because one is gay doesn't make one support same-sex marriage (right nihilicious?) -- Scott Brison was anti-equal-marriage last year, but has probably changed his tune along with his party.

[c9.livejournal.com]

a) I quoted the whole email I received, it was in fact missing lots of info on other ridings.
b) Just because one is gay doesn't make one support same-sex marriage (right nihilicious?) -- Scott Brison was anti-equal-marriage last year, but has probably changed his tune along with his party.

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

Sorry, you're right, I was referring to this part of the email:

I've ONLY included the districts for those of you whom I know where you live.

I agree (obviously) that being gay doesn't mean support for same-sex marriage. I think it's possible to take a position against same-sex marriage without being against "gay rights", whatever that means.

However, given the shape that the debate has taken, I think evidence that a politician has voted (or indicated that they would vote) against gay marriage is probably evidence that they don't support "gay rights" (or are at least shaky.) I guess I'm saying, I think there are decent reasons to oppose gay marriage, but I haven't seen any politician express them yet.

To be honest, the hate speech law is more troubling to me. In that case, the debate has taken the form of a true conflict of values, and I don't think that someone should be branded as anti-gay just because they voted in favour of freedom of speech. In contrast to my statement above, then, I also think that there are decent reasons to oppose hate speech laws, and some of the politicians who voted that way have done so for decent reasons.

My $0.02.

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

I don't know much about Stoffer, but from the links provided it looks like he's never voted against an "EGALE-approved" position (though he was absent for two.) The concern seems to be that he once stated that he might vote against gay marriage based on what his constituents believed.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Agreed. In both the hate speech and marriage situations, there are two ways to approach the situation: improve the existing law that's already on the books and affecting people, or fight to have the whole thing thrown out / replaced. C250 was an attempt to improve an existing law by improving its coverage, with the ReformAllianceConservatives framing the debate as "oh no, there won't be free speech any more!!" (which of course there hadn't been already in Canada)

There has not yet been even an attempt to open the "why is marriage a law at all?" debate. Could never happen during an election (too complicated to survive the soundbite war).

Oh well. If we really wanted control over government, we'd all move to South Carolina and secede from the Union. :)

[kdborg.livejournal.com]

I have heard it is party policy.

[joecdn.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, but I know Gary well - it'd be like you knowing nihilicious well...we're good friends. He is fully in support of equal rights for all - it's one of the reasons he ran, because he didn't want the riding to field a candidate that wasn't in touch with the constituency (which is like 75% gay). I think that the email is more poignant to the fact that the author just doesn't want to comprehend or believe that there is in fact a conservative candidate out there that's strongly in favor of gay and lesbian rights. Seems pretty partisan to me.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I know you know Gary. I think in the original emailer's case, he *doesn't* know Gary, and has no way of finding out whether his views are strongly held or not, unless he calls, and he was unable to call every candidate in every riding of course.

It is uncommon, but not impossible, for a Tory to be equality-positive. Too bad the party isn't more supportive from a policy perspective.