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Stephen Schneider's      Candidate Blog

A brief summary of my activities as the NDP candidate for Kings-Hants, including events I have attended.

Get involved in our campaign!

Thank you!

10/30/2019

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Now that the federal election has come to an end, I would like to extend a sincere (albeit belated) thank you for all your support. It was an honour and a privilege to represent the NDP and its members and supporters in Kings-Hants.

We should be very proud of the campaign we ran; our vote total for Kings-Hants increased from roughly 3,000 in the 2015 federal election to 8,200 this time around.

I am particularly grateful to my dedicated and tireless election team who deserve much of the credit for whatever success we achieved in this election. On those days where my motivation may have been lacking or I had an especially exasperating time canvassing, a spark within me was rekindled by the commitment and enthusiasm of those working within and outside of the campaign office.

At my nomination meeting, I paraphrased Robert Kennedy when I said, "I am not running to oppose any individual but to propose new ideas." Indeed, inspired by our party’s history of progressive and consequential policy prescriptions, I emphasized that in this election, the NDP must put forward big, bold, innovative, ideas (and ideals) that reflect our social democratic roots.

Now that we hold the balance of power in Parliament, we have the opportunity to push for the ideas we campaigned on: a comprehensive climate change strategy, pharmacare, more affordable housing, debt relief for students, reconciliation with First Nations, better care for seniors and veterans, a livable wage to lift those out of poverty, and electoral reform, to name just a few.

In a political climate increasingly characterized by division, acrimony, and ad hominem attacks on political opponents, the Canadian electorate was forced to make choices about what we ultimately stand for, and to consider how to talk to one another about divisive issues.

Indira Gandhi once said, “Winning or losing of the election is less important than strengthening the country.”  Following this discordant election, we, as New Democrats, must continue to build upon the values and hard work that not only strengthen but unite our great country.

The pride I have in being Canadian is what ultimately binds me to the values of the NDP and of social democracy. During this election, we lived up to our repute as the conscience of the nation by emphasizing social justice issues the other parties were not talking about. We were also blessed with a party leader, whose moral leadership and unifying message of love, inclusion, and tolerance shined a light on a path forward that rose above the rancour and discord of the election.

Throughout the campaign, I personally drew strength and inspiration from Jagmeet, from my family, from the indomitable spirit of my campaign team and supporters, from our dedication to social and environmental justice, and from the sincere belief that our party and our cause is resolutely guided by what Lincoln called "the better angels of our nature." 

Thank you once again to everyone for your support and dedication!

Steve

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Visit to the Sipekne'katik First Nation in Indian Brook

10/17/2019

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I had the pleasure of visiting the Sipekne'katik First Nation in Indian Brook. Thanks so much to Cheryl Maloney and her sister April for taking me around (and for the photos, courtesy of April).

I also had the opportunity to meet a few of the councillors, including Lena Knockwood, who arranged the meeting for me.

I reiterated our party's commitment to reconciliation, including implementing all of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Inquiry on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Cheryl and others were very helpful in identifying some of the issues facing the Sipekne'katik first nation (which I repeated at an all-candidates forum the other night): (i) honouring treaty rights  (ii) poverty (iii) housing shortages and (iv) lack of jobs and other opportunities for young people.

I also had the opportunity to watch a documentary directed by April Maloney entitled Treaty Tribulations: The Indian Brook Fishing Dispute, which provides details on the 1752 treaty between the British and the Mi'kmaq people of Sipekne'katik; in particular, their right to make a living off fishing. As documented in the video, despite the treaty and Supreme Court rulings in their favour, Mi'kmaq commercial fishers still feel they are not able to exercise their full treaty rights.

In all, it was a very eye-opening and educational experience. It was especially troubling to see the high level of poverty that many children are raised in as well as the lack of local jobs and career opportunities for young people. 

Given this, one of my priorities (whether I am elected or not) is to bring the tutoring/mentoring programs I run in the city to Indian Brook (and other First Nations in the Kings-Hants riding) to help young people graduate from high school and get into university.

Thanks again to Cheryl, April, and Lena. I appreciate that First Nations and Indigenous people are skeptical of federal politicians and political parties. With that said, a number of people expressed their fondness and respect for the NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, at the very least because he could relate to the racism and discrimination that Indigenous people have experienced.

After my time in Indian Brook, we received close to 20 orders for lawn signs there!
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Wolfville Farmer's Market (with Gary Burrill), Tour of Wine Grape Vineyard (Steve Ells) and a visit to Booker School

10/7/2019

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Another busy weekend on the campaign trail. We set up a table at the Wolfville Farmer's market on Saturday and was lucky enough to have the provincial NDP leader Gary Burrill join us. Gary also came along for a tour, on behalf of the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia, of a wine-grape vineyard in Canning owned by Steve Ells.

As Steve himself stated in an email to me, "Independent growers like myself control over half of the wine grape production in Nova Scotia and we are creating jobs in the rural areas. Many of us are expanding and investing in our businesses to help the local wineries meet the demands of a growing industry. Nova Scotian wines are being recognized as high quality and with global wine trends focused on crisp aromatic whites and sparkling we are perfectly placed to take on a larger role in our economy."

I am personally committed to helping this the grape-growers and the winery's prosper and expand. It is increasingly producing world-class grapes and wines and has also contributed to our tourism industry. As the M.P. I will work to continue to find research funds so as to grow the better (and more resilient) grape.  I am also committed to helping local winery's find export markets and am very supportive of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, which is crucial not only to our grape-growers but our local agricultural industry as  a whole.

Monday morning I was privileged to visit a precocious group of students at the New Booker School in Port Williams, who grilled me on my commitments and those of the party. I hope the adults in the riding are as well informed as these kids.


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Sisters-in-Spirit: Remembering Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Acadia University, Oct. 4

10/6/2019

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On Friday, October 4, my wife Meg and I attended the Sisters-in-Spirit event at the Irving Centre at Acadia. 

The event celebrates, honours, and remembers Indigenous women and girls who have been victims of violence.

Thanks to Darlene Peters-Copeland for organizing this as well as to the Acadia students who helped out.


As described by the final report of the commission of inquiry, the deaths of more than a thousand Indigenous women and girls in Canada is the result of long-standing discrimination against indigenous people (and women in particular) and our collective failure to protect them.  The report concluded that the murders constituted a national genocide.

As a candidate in this year’s federal election I am fully committed to publicly supporting the recommendations of the commission and the creation of a national action plan to prevent and address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit persons.

I also want to respond to the recommendations by the commission that urges everyone to become allies in the fight against violence toward (Indigenous) women, to combat racism, and to break down barriers.

CBC News asked a number of Indigenous leaders to weigh in on how every person can contribute.

Here are my commitments, based what Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie from Sagkeeng First Nation had to say:

Be part of the community - I will listen to and support Indigenous women; I will believe what they tell me! I will make sure the issue of violence against Indigenous women and the findings & recommendations of the commission are discussed as part of the campaign.

Read, listen, learn - I will read the entire report of the commission and do what I can as a Canadian, political candidate (and M.P.) to help implement the recommendations. I will educate myself on the different Indigenous cultures and first nations to understand their history before and after colonization, to understand issues affecting first nations, Indigenous people, and Indigenous women and girls in particular; and learn more about role of residential schools in the cultural genocide aimed at Indigenous peoples and the lasting impact it has had on them.

Take responsibility - I will take responsibility for the violence against indigenous women and help them overcome historical and contemporary injustices.

Become an upstander - I will stand up and confront racism and violence against Indigenous women; I will not turn a blind eye to the injustice; I will not ignore racist sentiments or jokes.
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At the front left of the photo is Darlene Copeland-Peters and Councilor Lynwood Peters (front right), from the Glooscap First Nation. Others in the picture include Acadia students who helped out and who also interviewed me as part of a school project on murdered and missing Indigenous women.
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Food Sustainability Forums: Wolfville and Windsor

10/2/2019

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As part of a national "Eat, Think, Vote" campaign I attend two all-candidate forums on food policy and food insecurity at the Wolfville Farmers Market and the Avon Farmers Market (in Windsor).  

Food insecurity is largely about the struggle to afford food.  Statistics Canada estimates there are 1.7 million households (nearly 4 million Canadians) which are considered "food insecure."  

A UNICEF report ranked Canada 37th out of 41 countries in terms of access to nutritious food for children. 

Lower-income populations are affected more than others: recent immigrants, people of colour, single mothers. Children are especially vulnerable—one in six kids in Canada live in food-insecure households.  Increases in the number of low-wage, part-time, or contract jobs, a lack of affordable housing, the high costs of post-secondary education, and insufficient social assistance, have all created the conditions that contribute to food insecurity. 

The NDP believe that everyone one in Canada (especially children) should have access to nutritious food.  Key aspects of our policies regarding food insecurity:

First, governments must stop off-loading the job of feeding people to food banks, churches, soup kitchens, and charitable organizations. Access to healthy nutritious food is a fundamental human right; all Canadians should have access to adequate amounts of high-quality, healthy food.

Second, because food insecurity is so tied to poverty, an underlying solution is to reduce and eliminate poverty by providing a living wage and income support – whether this is $15 minimum wage, adequate income supplements or my personal preference: basic income guarantee. More money in the pockets of working poor and those below the poverty line mean more money to be spent on staples, in particular food.

A provincial food strategy should be developed as part of a broader national food policy.  As the MP for Kings Hants, I would work with key stakeholders to develop a food strategy for this riding that seeks to better understand the nature, scope, causes and impacts of food insecurity in the region and how it can be best addressed.

We need to ramp up efforts to ensure access to healthy nutritious foods in local supermarkets year-round by poor, marginalized populations. We should also subsidize the transportation costs that low-income people need to get to grocery stores (and farmers markets) with healthy selections. More importantly, we must make sure that low-income neighbourhoods, First Nations, and remote communities have grocery stores and other markets filled with healthy food.

We need to work with producers along the supply chain to increase the amount of Canadian (healthy) food that is sold, processed, and consumed in local and regional markets. 

The NDP supports the creation of a national universal school food and nutrition program to ensure all students in Canada have access to a healthy breakfast, snack, and/or lunch at school as well as the food literacy skills to make healthy choices for life. 

Finally, we need to reduce the amount of meat we eat; at the global level it is estimated that 40 percent of grain crops go to feed livestock and fish. If that grain was fed to humans instead of livestock, we could alleviate chronic hunger from 925 million people.

We may also want to consider taxing junk food and directing these funds to subsidize health food choices especially for those who are food insecure.
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Jagmeet's Halifax town hall meeting, Oct. 2

9/26/2019

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I had the great pleasure of attending the town hall meeting with the leader of Canada's NDP, Jagmeet Singh at Leeds campus of the NSCC on Sept. 23. In addition to Jagmeet, other luminaries included NDP federal candidates from Nova Scotia, NDP MLAs, Alexa McDonough, not to mention many Kings Hants NDP members who accompanied from Kings Hants. 

There was a tremendous amount of excitement and pride in the room, especially given the high praise Jagmeet received for his comments following revelations of Justin Trudeau wearing blackface.

Jagmeet spoke about the NDP's health care platform, which includes a national pharmacare program and expanding universal health care to dental, eye, mental health , and seniors care. 

As the Chronicle-Herald reported, 
Holding a town hall meeting in the lobby of the Nova Scotia Community College’s Leeds Street campus, the party leader and MP from Burnaby, B.C., spoke to a crowd of more than 200, who also voiced concerns about climate change, housing, child care and education  

Singh says getting universal access to medication would ensure a greater number of Canadians could stay healthier longer, and put less strain on clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals.

​He also outlined a dentacare plan to provide dental treatment for families that earn less than $70,000, at a total cost of $856 million, which he considers a drop in the bucket compared to the billions of dollars that the Trudeau government gave to corporations in the fall economic statement.
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Student Climate Strike, Acadia University, Oct. 20

9/24/2019

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A great crowd was on hand at Acadia on Oct. 20 to participate in the one of the many student climate strikes taking place throughout the world. I was on hand to take part, talk to the crowd, hand out some of the NDP's climate change strategy flyers, and to give a pre-scheduled interview with Todd Battis of CTV News. My daughter Eve was on hand which prompted this email message from a new Wolfville resident: 
"My daughter, who is deeply interested in politics, is attending Wolfville School (grade four) and came home to tell me that a fellow classmate was away from school participating in a climate change strike. She wants to be involved as well. Upon further questioning, it was evident that this girl's father was running for MP. While we had been undecided in which way to vote for this election, both my husband and I thought it remarkable that a candidate would take the issue of climate change seriously enough to have his daughter be both informed and engaged in taking action. We desperately need that kind of commitment and leadership in the times ahead. We will be voting NDP in this election." ​
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Reactions to latest Trudeau controversy: My take; Jagmeet's take

9/20/2019

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One of my proudest days as a New Democrat was when Jagmeet Singh became the official leader of Canada's NDP.

For me, it reflected how we as a party truly walk-the-walk when it comes to inclusion, tolerance, and social justice.

For the first time, a major national political party in Canada has a leader who is a person of colour and a religious minority.

He is a role model to young people in Canada like they have never had before.

Having grown up in Richmond, B.C., I went to school with a number of boys belonging to the Sikh religion and I can tell you they were by far the most frequent targets of bullying, harassment, and violence.

The bullying, discrimination, and other injustices Jagmeet has faced throughout his life make him uniquely qualified to become the Prime Minister of a country that prides itself on diversity, tolerance and inclusion.

And make no mistake, Jagmeet has to work twice as hard to gain the trust and support of Canadians compared to the other two major party leaders.

Jagmeet's moral leadership and his own message of love, peace, and tolerance is even more important given the exposure of Justin Trudeau's past racist antics.

Trudeau not only repeatedly engaged in racist acts, he did not even have the moral courage to admit having done so and now only apologizes because he has been caught.

Perhaps it is Karma that the leader of the opposition NDP represents all those who were mocked and stereotyped by the Prime Minister.  

As Jagmeet said in his response, ultimately what needs to come out of this episode is healing and reassurance for those people who have experienced the pain of racism. 

"There are millions of people in Canada – kids, young people, newcomers to our country – who have been bullied, hurt, attacked, and insulted because of who they are. These photos bring that into focus.

I faced racism growing up. And I dealt with it by fighting back – sometimes with my fists. But not everyone is able to do that. Many feel powerless – intimidated into a sense of not belonging.

I want to say to the people who’ve felt that pain – you are loved, you have value, you have worth – and we can and will do better for you.

Today I want to ask Canadians not to lose faith in our great country. The last 24 hours have been difficult and so will the coming days. But, remember this – you belong, and together we can fight for a Canada that rejects racism and discrimination. Together, we can fight for a Canada where we are celebrated for who we are, and where we take care of each other.

So I ask, please talk to those around you, check in on your loved ones and all those affected by this. We are stronger together, and united in our opposition to discrimination and hate."


As New Democrats, we know how important it is to come together and take care of one another.

Help us make Jagmeet Singh the next Prime Minister of Canada and send a message to the Liberals, Canadians and the world that Canada is truly a nation of tolerance and inclusion and not racism and ignorance!

Thank you for whatever support can provide for me, Jagmeet, and NDP!

Stephen Schneider


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Official Campaign, Official Candidate: Vote for the Most Qualified!

9/13/2019

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We have just heard from Elections Canada: I am now officially the NDP candidate for Kings-Hants!

Among the recent formalities was notarizing and submitting our official papers to the Elections Canada Kings-Hants Riding Office (located in the basement of the Canada Post building in Kentville).

I am actually the first official candidate in the riding and, apparently, Melinda (my campaign manager) cast the first official vote at the Elections Canada Riding Office/Polling Station.

Melinda declined to telling me who she voted for, but she did let me know that this polling station is open for continuous voting up until Oct. 21. So I would encourage all our members and supporters to get out an vote early (no doubt you will be hearing   more from us on this).

We have also hit the ground running in what will assuredly be a very competitive race in Kings-Hants.

I have been very busy canvassing and attending public events we have a great election team in place, our campaign office is fully functioning (don't forget about our official opening on Sept. 14, 1 to 4 pm), and we will be busy putting up lawn signs over the next few weeks (make sure to put your order in now while supplies last!).

Our local campaign theme is Vote for the Most Qualified Candidate!

Much of my career and volunteering has been dedicated to public service. 

Some of you already know of my background and accomplishments.


  • I live in Wolfville with my wife Meg and daughter Evangeline.
  • I serve the community as a Wolfville Children's Centre board member and Acadia minor basketball coach.
  • I teach criminology at St. Mary’s University and am recognized as a national expert in crime prevention and organized crime.
  • I have written five books and over 40 research reports for federal government agencies.
  • I have spent 25 years as a community development activist helping numerous neighbourhoods throughout Canada grow stronger, safer and more prosperous
  • I have implemented tutoring & mentoring programs for at-risk youth, preparing them for a brighter future

As the M.P. for Kings-Hants, some of my priorities will include the following:

  • Promoting local economic innovation in traditional industries and new green technology and jobs.
  • Protecting our natural habitat by working to reduce green-house gas emissions and through greater conservation efforts.
  • Increasing infrastructure spending to repair roads and  expand high-speed Internet
  • Creating more child care spaces.
  • Helping to address our health care crisis by advocating for a national Pharmacare program,  expanding universal coverage to dental care, eyes, and mental health care,  and ensuring people in Kings-Hants  have access to local health care services
  • Creating more affordable housing & long-term care beds
  • Helping seasonal workers access employment insurance benefits
  • Implementing tutoring/mentoring programs for disadvantaged children.
  • Working with First Nation's to ensure their rights and culture are respected and celebrated

I am honoured to be the NDP candidate for Kings-Hants and I hope I can count on your support.

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Having my official nomination papers notarized (at the local Legal Aid office) and then off to the Elections Canada Kings-Hants Riding Office (basement of the nearby Canada Post in Kentville).
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Labour Day Picnic, Memorial Park, Kentville, Sept. 2

9/2/2019

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Thanks to the Annapolis Valley Labour Council for sponsoring another successful Labour Day picnic at Memorial Park. It was a beautiful day and there was a a great turnout from various unions, their representatives, and working families.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I come from a union family (my father was in the Operating Engineers for more than 35 years, many of them as a shop steward) and I myself have had jobs that brought me into at least four unions (including my current stint as a member of the Saint Mary's University Faculty Union). 

There is no doubt that organized labour is central to the prosperity that many Canadians enjoy.  It is no coincidence that the decline of a living wage for many as well as the staggering growth in income inequality in Canada is partially the result of the decline in organized labour especially in the private sector. On this day we should also remember all those workers who do not enjoy a living wage or collective bargaining rights.

Last and not least, we should not forget about all those federal civil servants who have had their pay disrupted significantly (for at least five years now) because of the botched Phoenix payroll system (with no end in sight). The Liberal Government has made little progress in addressing this problem and many civil servants are owed thousands of dollars in back pay! 

Helping to ensure all Canadians receive a livable wage will be one of my priorities as a Member of Parliament. I am in favour of a $15/hour minimum wage; a federal minimum wage of $15/hour would give an immediate raise to approximately 67,000 workers across Canada, from bank tellers, truck drivers and telecommunications workers to airport staff and broadcast journalists outside major cities.  An NDP government would also increase the minimum each year so no federally-regulated full-time worker lives below the poverty line.

During the 2015 election, Justin Trudeau attacked the idea of a $15 per hour federal minimum wage and later told a business audience that he opposed raising it because "it's not just about putting a little more money in peoples' pockets." 

It was also the Trudeau Government that forced Canada Post employees back to work after they legally walked off the job. In 2010, Justin Trudeau voted in favour of  scab legislation while in opposition and in 2016, the Liberal Government voted down NDP legislation that would ban the use of replacement workers to replace those on strikes.


The NDP is committed to modernizing sections of the Canadian Labour Code (neglected by the Liberals) to provide greater protections for workers, including by banning the use of replacement workers in labour disputes and delivering fair compensation for part-time and contract workers.   

The growth of low-paid, insecure work is the result of decades of decisions by Liberal and Conservative governments – from scrapping the federal minimum wage in the 1990s to telling Canadians to “get used to” short-term, precarious work. 

New Democrats know that good jobs that treat people fairly make a real difference to Canadian families. We’re committed to making sure that hardworking people get the fair wages and good working conditions they deserve.


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Me and Kentville Mayor Sandra Snow and the Labour Day Picnic
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Kings-Hants NDP
c/o 140 Main Street
Wolfville, NS
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