The week beginning June 16 was a busy one for me. On Sunday, the NDP released its election platform with the party leader Jagmeet Singh appearing before a raucous crowd in Hamilton. The platform - called a New Deal for People ("NDP" - isn't that clever ;-) - is a bold vision that centres around better health care including pharmacare, more federal funding for affordable housing, a $1 billion investment in a universal child care program, the elimination of interest on Canada Student Loans, and a plan to ensure Canada moves toward a carbon-free environment. To help pay for these promises, the party would raise taxes on those with wealth over $20 million annually. It also would raise corporate taxes, end fossil fuel subsidies, close tax loopholes and levy a foreign home buyers tax. As the CBC News notes, "the NDP will be the first Canadian federal party to unveil an election platform that promises to drastically expand Canada's health care system to include, not just pharmacare, but mental, dental, eye and hearing coverage for all citizens."
Click on this link for more information on the NDP's commitments can be found here
That week I also found time to canvass a few streets in Hants County where my focus was on finding out what issues were on the minds of voters. Without surprise the health care crisis was most frequently mentioned.
I also attended the New Green Deal Town Hall meeting at Acadia University on Wednesday June 19. Sponsored by Acadia's Department of Community Development there was at least 200 people in attendance, which once again shows how serious many people in the area take the climate change emergency. The meeting consisted mostly of people breaking into groups and discussing the priorities for a New Green Deal in Canada and locally.
On June 20, I attended a public information session on planning for growth in Port Williams. I had been invited by Meg Hodges, a member of council for the Municipality of the County of Kings, who also talked about the many issues facing communities like Port Williams that continue to grow, but must do so in a sustainable way while not encroaching on agricultral land.
Finally, on Saturday, I attended the Teddy Bear Jamboree in Falmouth, an annual event with a parade and a fair. I was attending as the father of the child attendent (Eve) of Queen Annapolisa (Chantel Peng) - but of course was also after the stuffed bear vote. Chantel, Eve, and the other leadership candidates bravely weathered the cold and misty morning atop an old pick-up truck in the parade (ahhh, the duties of royalty). I give these young women a lot of credit for making sure they fulfill what appears to be a really busy schedule!
Click on this link for more information on the NDP's commitments can be found here
That week I also found time to canvass a few streets in Hants County where my focus was on finding out what issues were on the minds of voters. Without surprise the health care crisis was most frequently mentioned.
I also attended the New Green Deal Town Hall meeting at Acadia University on Wednesday June 19. Sponsored by Acadia's Department of Community Development there was at least 200 people in attendance, which once again shows how serious many people in the area take the climate change emergency. The meeting consisted mostly of people breaking into groups and discussing the priorities for a New Green Deal in Canada and locally.
On June 20, I attended a public information session on planning for growth in Port Williams. I had been invited by Meg Hodges, a member of council for the Municipality of the County of Kings, who also talked about the many issues facing communities like Port Williams that continue to grow, but must do so in a sustainable way while not encroaching on agricultral land.
Finally, on Saturday, I attended the Teddy Bear Jamboree in Falmouth, an annual event with a parade and a fair. I was attending as the father of the child attendent (Eve) of Queen Annapolisa (Chantel Peng) - but of course was also after the stuffed bear vote. Chantel, Eve, and the other leadership candidates bravely weathered the cold and misty morning atop an old pick-up truck in the parade (ahhh, the duties of royalty). I give these young women a lot of credit for making sure they fulfill what appears to be a really busy schedule!
Top: My group and me at the New Green Deal town hall meeting at Acadia University.
Bottom: Leadership candidates and child attendants at the Teddy Bear Jamboree; Eve with a couple of the parade mascots!
Bottom: Leadership candidates and child attendants at the Teddy Bear Jamboree; Eve with a couple of the parade mascots!
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