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http://www.themarknews.com/articles/1558-liberal-party-continues-slide-in-polls

http://www.themarknews.com/articles/1877-long-form-census-is-getting-the-short-stick

http://themarknews.com/articles/2126-harper-s-revisionist-canada

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On June the 3rd The Rt. Hon. Paul Martin and Ontario Attorney General, The Hon. Chris Bentley joined Andrew and his supporters for cocktails and conversation in support of Andrew’s candidacy for Toronto-Danforth.

Minister Bentley spoke eloquently about leadership and the need to protect our Canadian values.

Former Prime Minister, Paul Martin, reminded guests that it was Jack Layton who killed the Kelowna Accord and National Child Care all for his own ambition.

In thanking his honourable speakers, Andrew pointed to their example of leading with ideas. He paraphrased George Bernard Shaw saying

“Some see things as they are and ask why. I dream of things that have never been and ask why not?”

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• As a Liberal it has galled me for years that Canadians, given the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, still believe that Conservatives are better at handling an economy.

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• No one argues that Conservatives are very good at accruing and protecting their own wealth. But somehow this has translated into the misconception that they are good at or even care about protecting or enhancing the wealth of others.

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• It is not a recent phenomenon. During the depression of the 1930’s Canadians elected R.B. Bennett as Prime Minister because he was a millionaire. The logic being – if he knows how to make money for himself he can do the same for the country. His economic policies did make money for himself but sadly plunged the Canadian economy further into depression.

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• After 13 years of Liberal governments with an unprecedented string of balanced budgets and a booming economy Stephen Harper has decided that Canada should once again run a deficit. With tax cuts for the wealthiest Canadians and program spending for those that don’t need it things are becoming reminiscent of George Bush Sr.’s trickle down economics.

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• The problem is it never trickles down. Conservatives conserve, keep, save for themselves.

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• The time has come to set the record straight.  Conservatives shrink economies while Liberals grow them.

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• Toronto’s Pride Week is aptly named. For the queer communities it is a moment to celebrate. For everyone else it is an opportunity to reinforce their complete and utter acceptance. For me it was an experience that made me especially proud – of my city, my country and for the Pride Committee – who put on one of the best run events in the World.

• Yesterday’s parade was my third and it has never been bigger or better. Generating tourism worth close to 100 million dollars into the city is quite an accomplishment but raising awareness and bridging the gaps of understanding is what it is really all about.

• To be in the parade looking out at the spectators one knows that every person in attendance was an equal and active participant.

• One only has to speak to one of the many tourists in Toronto for the event to be reminded of how good things are here and how, sadly, some must return to intolerance and bigotry.

• We still have much to do but the tide has turned on injustice and we are forcing ignorant ideas into the shadows. The close-minded are wary now; more cagey. Where there was once bravado in their hatred now there is fear of being found out.

• The time has come to put the words Pride Week and Pride Parade in italics because every day is a day in which Toronto’s queer communities should be proud – proud of what they have endured in the name of just being who they are and proud that they never stooped to the vile levels of their detractors.

• Pride Week is no longer just for our queer communities because yesterday I was extremely proud to join them in this celebration of diversity.

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• While most Liberals are licking their chomps over the string of embarrassments falling down upon the Conservative Party, I am growing concerned that these entertaining diversions are distracting us from the menace that is Stephen Harper.  

• The Bernier Affair may speak to poor judgement on Harper’s part and a shallow pool of talent from which to choose Ministers but doesn’t it really just point out how debased the Department of Foreign Affairs has become. Harper didn’t care about Bernier’s incompetence because Bernier had no real power.   

• Meanwhile the Conservatives recently decided it was a good idea to revive the Cadman Affair, an issue that seemed to have lost the media’s interest. Why would they do this? Is it for the reasons being tossed about; that they are trying to pre-empt the use of the tape in a negative ad campaign during an election or is there a more Machiavelli reason?   

• The revival of this issue allows the Conservatives to control the story and how it is debated.  It also distracts us from the real and dangerous initiatives undertaken by Stephen Harper over the past 2 years.  

• Let’s not forget that Harper is systematically trying to undermine the Charter of Rights by killing the Court Challenges Program, shutting down the Access to Information database and questioning the validity of decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada for the mere fact that they disagree.   

• Bill C-10 is overt attempt by Harper to impose his own moral compass by censoring Canadian film and television.  

• Bill C-50 once again demonstrates why Immigrants don’t generally like the Conservatives; because the Conservatives don’t like Immigrants.   

• Harper hates arms length bodies because they prevent him from getting his sticky little fingers on the levers of control. When he campaigned on accountability, we didn’t know that he meant everything should be accountable to him.  

• Harper promised us that we wouldn’t recognize Canada when he got through with it. His latest trick in the unravelling of the Canadian fabric is to distract us with the bumbling and fumbling of his incompetent caucus while he pulls at yet another thread.

• Don’t be distracted.

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• Sometimes people make me sad.  
• The fact that we still need an international day against homophobia is the cause for one of these occasions.  
• I’d like to think that we have evolved enough as a species to be beyond such irrational emotions but unfortunately that is far from the truth.  
• This year, International Day Against Homophobia falls on the weekend on which we celebrate the Queen’s birthday. There’s a joke in there but not one a straight guy can get away with saying. 
• For the most part Canada should be proud of her record in the recognition for lesbian and gay communities. Most of our progress can be traced to the adoption of the Charter of Human Rights. “However, judicial advances will remain only that until a complete, unlimited social acceptance of homosexuality is achieved and homophobia wiped out. To achieve this goal, the Fondation Émergence proposed in 2003, along with partners, to hold each year a special day dedicated to the social recognition of homosexual experience.” http://www.homophobiaday.org/ 
• On the face of things we seem to be close to solving our problem. The truth, however, is that prejudice remains and while there is a lot of talk about acceptance and openness, many gays and lesbians are unable to live their lives as they would choose for fear of discrimination. 
• The answer continues to be communication. Only through continued, open dialogue can we be sure that everyone is getting the message. It is not enough for a person to remain silent, he or she must come to understand. 
• Silence is deadly but it is also very lonely for those who live in fear of being themselves.  
• International Day Against Homophobia is about all people hoping for a prejudice-free world. On May 17^th, if you can’t take part in an organized event, take some time to talk about it with your family and friends.  
• Remember that it is not enough to tolerate. We must learn to accept until we wonder what all the fuss was about in the first place.  

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• I am honoured to be standing before you today. 
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• This is a privilege we too often take for granted: the right to decide for ourselves who our representatives will be.  
• Ladies of gentleman, today is the beginning.   It is the beginning of hope. It is the beginning of change.  The road ahead will be long and sometimes difficult but if we move forward together, boulders in our path will seem like pebbles, problems will reveal themselves to be opportunities and the uphill climb will be seen for what it is, exercise - in democracy.  
• We have been told this riding can’t be won.  That the machine that opposes us is too large, too strong and too well funded. But I say it can be won – it will be won. 
• Tonight I want to talk with you about how we’re going to do it – and about why it matters so very, very much. 
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• Five months ago, the decision to seek this nomination came easily. My wife Lisa and I make our home in Toronto-Danforth. We have fallen in love with our community and the riding as a whole. This is where we live and this is where we plan to raise a family.  This is the only place I could choose to plant my political roots. 
• But I remember that when we began to share the news with others they all asked the same question: Are you crazy?   
• But I know something they don’t know. 
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• I’ve spent the past five months knocking on doors across Toronto-Danforth, listening;
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• To Liberals and non-Liberals
• To people involved in politics and people who have never even voted  
• To business people, to stay-at-home mums, to students and to seniors 
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• And what I have learned is that this community is ready for change.   
• We are tired of witnessing reactionary tactics instead of positive leadership. 
• We are tired of being a pit stop in the career path of an ambitious man. 
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• And we are tired of being offered a sound bite instead of sound policy. 
• So today, I stand before you looking forward to the opportunity not only to take on Jack Layton, but with your help, to take him down. 
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• As a candidate, I offer this riding three things that will help us secure that victory.  
• First; an unparalleled organization.
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• This will be my 18^th election campaign and I know that campaigns can’t be won on rhetoric alone.  It takes volunteers and it takes money, and in choosing me to be your candidate, we will attract both.  We will work to make this the most inclusive campaign in the country – political neophytes working side by side with people who campaigned for Pierre Trudeau; as well as a couple that sat at the cabinet table with him. 
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• Our fundraising program will leverage our contact lists to yield big donations while – even more importantly – engaging the grassroots across the riding to help us win the election 10 and 20 dollars at a time.  
• Second; I know this community and I am committed to it.  
• I still have much to learn about this great riding of ours but between being an engaged resident, and a hardworking nomination contestant, I am on my way.   Whether it is my involvement as a board member of the Broadview Community Youth Group or my attendance at meetings of community groups like East York Strategy or Todmorden Neighbourhood Association, I have had the opportunity to hear first hand the issues and concerns of our neighborhoods.
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• I have been directly involved in the battle against the Lount Street Signal Tower and am working with leaders of our Chinese community to support a parents’ outreach program. I am close to the pressing issues of this community, and I look forward to working with you to address them.  
• Third, I offer an unquenchable enthusiasm.   
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• None of us gathered here today can predict when the next election will be.  But we all know one thing for sure: for Toronto-Danforth, the campaign begins tomorrow.  
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• I promise you that my excitement and my energy ensure that it will be a vibrant campaign – meeting voters at subway stops every morning and knocking on doors, hosting campaign events or attending community meetings every day. 
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• We will not accept advice from cynics who tell us, don’t go to that neighbourhood, they will never support you; it is a waste of your time.
• To those cynics I say, on the contrary, we will not shy away from battles that are hard fought for these are the battles that are hard won. 
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• To those who doubt our chances, those who say the cards are stacked against us, we will remind them that in 1988, a year that saw the NDP make its biggest gains ever, Dennis Mills, said I don’t care.  He decided that he would work harder, talk to more people and be more responsive to the needs of this community and just see what it gets him.
• It got him 16 years as one of the most committed and respected Members of Parliament Toronto has ever seen.
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• It is Dennis’ example of boundless energy that I am following. It is his belief that if we work hard enough, anything is possible. Perhaps more than at any time in our recent history, the fight ahead matters deeply. 
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• When voters head to the polls, this election won’t be about choosing between Conservative, NDP, Liberal or Green, it will be about choosing the kind of Canada that we want.  
• Will our Canada refuse to address the crisis of children living in poverty OR will our Canada recognize a moral duty to support our most vulnerable populations? 
   
• Will our Canada refute the world’s scientists who call for immediate action on climate change OR will our Canada move to immediately reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses and invest in technology to further reduce our dependency on fossil fuels? 
   
• Will our Canada see cash as the solution to our daycare crisis OR will our Canada provide desperately needed daycare spaces through a national childcare strategy? 
   
• Will our Canada refuse to deliver the cash the Liberals set aside for Toronto and other cities OR will our Canada keep its promises so that we can address our crumbling infrastructure and pressing public transit needs? 
   
• Will we choose the Canada that Stephen Harper is bent on creating for us OR will we choose a green, prosperous and compassionate Canada?  
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• Because if it is the latter, there is only one choice in the next election.  Only one party that can form the majority government we so desperately need to get this country back on track. 
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• And that is the Liberal Party of Canada.   
• I began by saying how honoured I am to be standing before you today. But I am also deeply humbled.
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• A large part of what I am asking you for is your trust. I am asking you to choose me to be the face of the Liberal party in Toronto-Danforth in the next election and then to be the voice for Toronto-Danforth in Ottawa. 
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• I am awed by the value of this trust and I promise you that I will never take it for granted.  
• But I know that as much as you are putting your trust in me, I put mine in you.   
• Today, we come together for a common purpose and a shared defiance to those that doubt us. 
• Together, we will tell our neighbours what it is to be Liberal. 
• Together, we will be a formidable force.  
• Together, we will speak with a single voice and together, the truth of our words will be irresistible.
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• Thank you.

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 Jack Layton continues to make unrealistic promises as he demonstrates how uninformed he and the NDP are when it comes to the functioning of the United Nations.  The idea that the UN should step in to deal with Afghanistan is not new, it is just naïve. If Layton knew anything about the U.N. he would know that as long as they think that NATO is willing to be engaged in Afghanistan, the U.N. will not.  What is worse is that he feels NATO should pull out en masse to make way for this fanciful U.N. force to move in. Without any guarantees that it would ever happen. His intention to abandon the Afghan people is proof that he is not a serious leader and has no misconceptions of his chances of ever leading this country. No one within the Liberal Party enjoys the prospect of war. It requires immense acts of inhumanity and injustice to provoke us to fight.  We entered Afghanistan in defence of an Ally but once there found atrocities being perpetrated upon women, children and anyone that didn’t measure up to the Taliban’s strict view of Islam. It is these people we have been fighting for and to leave them now would be to sentence them to twice the hardship they faced previously. The NDP seems willing to do this. This is not pacifism. This is active neglect. Unlike, Stephen Harper’s willingness to unfairly sacrifice Canadians’ lives and Jack Layton’s willingness to give up innocents to torture, Stephane Dion is providing a balanced approach to Afghanistan. A firm end date and a rotation of duties are as close as we can come to a positive solution for a situation that no one is happy to be in.    

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When Stephen Harper took office he stated that we would not recognize Canada when he got through with it. Harper’s latest move proves this statement true but is it the Canada we want. Harper’s government has proposed to cancel tax credits for any film or TV program it deems “offensive”, or “contrary to public policy”. This is censorship, plain and simple. The amendment to Bill C-10 would allow the Heritage Minister to cancel tax credits for projects deemed to cross the line. The question arises: who gets to decide what is and is not offensive?  I am proud of the vibrant community of film and television production artists that call Toronto-Danforth home and I will fight to stop this amendment. This proposal is not only an affront to freedom of expression but would also have dire financial consequences to an industry already facing difficulties caused by the slumping US economy and our rising dollar. What Can You Do? (1) Write to your local Member of Parliament (2) Email the Prime Minister and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, copying the party leaders and members of the Senate. (3) Tell your friends about the issue and encourage them to do the same What Will I Do? I will contact Senate leaders asking them to defeat this Bill before it goes back to the House and I will continue to help raise awareness of this issue.  

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