I just got back from a very good evening. I picked up a hitchhiker from Sydney Nova Scotia. I drove him to Guelph from Kitchener. He was robbed in Montreal and is now penniless. The good folk in Kitchener were not able to offer him a place at the House of Friendship as it was full but arranged for him to be met in Guelph where he might be able to find support and lodging. I dropped him off at Sister Christine’s Welcome Inn and I wish him the best. As he said, “I’m looking for work and I heard there are jobs around here”.

The Guelph spirit permeates us all. The meeting I was at tonight was for the sole purpose of organising support for democracy in Haiti. Out of that, HAG was formed - the Haiti Action Group. The term “Hag” has an honourable history. Hags were once revered as the wise women of their communities. HAG is now working on a Haitian music night, a film night and raising awareness of the atrocious situation in Haiti and why Canada must do an about face on how we deal with that tragedy.

I was also moved by the sight of 12,000 plus flags “celebrating” the remarkable efforts of Guelph residents who have been working to maintain the integrity of the planning process in Guelph. Hats off to the likes of Ben Bennett, Sam Turton, Annie O’Donoghue, Chris Jess and the myriad of flag stitchers, weavers and other activists who braved the cold to take a stand for a principle they feel most profoundly. Hats off to the memory of Griff Morgan and to his lovely wife Vi who still keeps the flame of social justice burning.

Do these people look cold, or is it my imagination? Do they look happy and energized? That is not my imagination!

I don’t generally take a lot of stock in polls, but I do take stock of the fact that in Guelph, New Democrats consistently outpoll the party’s Ontario support. In other words, there is a 3-way race developing here that will require all our efforts as we send a message to Ottawa about corruption and governing for all Canadians. It is not a case of either the Liberal’s brand of corruption and back room dealing or the Conservatives brand of the same. We can have a New Democratic government clearly committed to balanced budgets and providing better health care, better education, better environmental protection and better social security for all Canadians.

So without further ado, I will let you read the poll and I will go out to find out more from those who are tireless in their campaign for social justice in Haiti.

“A new poll by SES Research published today shows our support is growing both nationally and here in Ontario. Since the company’s last poll October 27, our support has moved from 15 to 20 per cent nationally, and from 12 to 23 per cent in Ontario!

National Oct 27 Nov 16
Liberals 40% 34%
Conservatives 28% 28%
NDP 15% 20%

Ontario Oct 27 Nov 16
Liberals 49% 44%
Conservatives 35% 30%
NDP 12% 23%

The November 16 poll was conducted between Nov 10 and 13. The sample, of about 1000 respondents, is accurate to within 3.4 per cent. The Ontario sample is accurate to within 6.4 per cent.”

I Hope you like the pictures, I am becoming pretty good at the concept of the blog and thought I would spice things up with pictures of some very “youthful” New Democrats, Shirley Douglas, daughter of Tommy and mother of Kiefer Sutherland, and our candidate from Toronto St Paul’s Paul Summerville. So. . . let’s get to my real topic, the passion and power of youth.

Wow, what a day; I could comment on the do nothing fiscal statement put out by “King” Ralph Goodale at “Emperor” Paul Martin’s behest (almost sounds like Star Wars does it not?) but that relative non event pales in comparison to the GREAT time hosted at the the Bullring by the Young New Democrats of the University of Guelph!

What a keen and articulate group we have in Guelph with 40 new activists willing to say to Paul Martin “This is wrong”! The enthusiasm that I felt for the democratic process was amazing. Whether it is a federal election or a municipal campaign, I can guarantee you that these activists will vote, work and encourage others to do the same.

I was asked by the Ontarion’s reporter “Why is it that young people don’t get involved?” and I answered (roughly), “I don’t think its young people in general and I don’t think its these young people in particular. What I feel, is that many Canadians feel neglected and even ripped off by the political process and therefore wonder why they should ever bother.”

I have to say that I tend to agree with those who don’t vote in many ways – except for the “not getting involved” and not voting part. When the Liberals and their Conservative brethren of the past have seen fit to pass out our tax money to their friends, I am not surprised that many Canadians are cynical about politics– in fact, it is refreshing to see so many youth getting involved when older generations have given up in the face of such brazen unethical behaviour. Of course, how else are we to keep higher education and owning a house a possibility for all young Canadians? Only by the the political activism of our youth guaranteeing that the government listens and acts on their concerns.

In larger and larger numbers, young people believe that they can make a difference and therefore they dedicate themselves to social justice. As a politician wanting their support, it is my duty to assure them they are being listened to and that their principles and actions are valuable components of the Canada in which I believe. In other words, I don’t just want their vote, I want their principles as well.

Young New Democrats are not just canvassers, voters and cheerleaders for me, Jack Layton and Paul Summerville. They are the fountains from which new ideas stem. The YNDP members I met again tonight and will meet again, and again. and again are dedicated to social justice, to internationalism in places such as Haiti, to environmentalism and to finding solutions to the problems of homelessness, oppression by strongmen governments the world over. and to ecological destruction wherever it occurs.

Thanks YNDP for making my night so great. Thanks for having Paul Summerville and me on campus. We look forward to Charlie Angus and later on to a visit by Jack Layton! As Jean Luc so often says “Make it so” .

Paul Summerville, U of G Bullring, Monday, November 14, 7:30 p.m.

Paul Summerville’s visit to the University of Guelph is an excellent chance for all Guelph voters to ask the former Toronto Dominion Bank Chief Economist and current NDP candidate for Toronto St Paul’s important questions about the NDP’s economic plan for Canada.

I met Paul in Ottawa at the NDP Breakthrough Conference and I was very impressed. At that event, Paul delivered an economic vision that was inspiring to say the least. While the Liberals continue to focus on how they can deliver kickbacks to friends and avoid an election, Paul and the NDP are talking about how to make all Canadians benefit from prosperity.

For me, Paul’s ideas are like Bay St meeting Main St. He clearly sees that Canada needs a sensible tax base, he understands the principles of balanced budgets, he does not try to reinvent the wheel. Rather he puts in very simple terms, very simple concepts – invest in Canada’s people, the environment, its businesses - including the developing Green economy, its social services, its health care system and all will benefit.

Paul’s ideas and Ed Broadbent’s ethic package (which Ed hopes to introduce into the House of Commons before he retires) are two inspiring elements of the NDP platform for the next Federal election. Come January, you can expect the NDP to campaign on “Prosperity Now” and “Ethical Principles Now”. We will not dance around issues of what is right as the Liberals love to do. We have taken a stand that is reasonable and fiscally sound. Come out and listen to Paul; listen to why a chief ecoomist responsible for the Toronto Dominion Bank’s Far East Investments is running for the NDP and why he and I can work together.