tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45821931497168612492024-03-12T22:06:32.362-06:00Up Close and Personal with JaneHere's where I kick back a little,
exercise my freedom of speech and share what's on my mind.<br><br>Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-29804890302995424912022-01-28T20:37:00.000-07:002022-01-28T20:37:14.405-07:00I Am Tired<p>I am tired. There, I said it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am tired of being “told” to use hand sanitizer when I enter
every business. I have eczema on my hands, you might as well light me on fire –
because that is what alcohol feels like on my skin. Even when I politely decline,
I get the accusatory stare-down.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am tired of wearing a mask. No, it is not as bad as the compulsive
hand sanitizing, but plain annoying for me. They are uncomfortable and
unattractive. The worst part though is they are DAMAGING what little human
interaction we have left.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am tired of having to search all through my phone to find
the QR code that confirms I am fully vaccinated.<br />
I am really tired of watching friends’ weddings and funerals via ZOOM –
seriously could we get any COLDER??!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am tired of hearing “the new normal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
say this as if this is as good as it is going to get. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">NO! Absolutely NO!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will not accept this.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over the past few days of the Convoy to Freedom gaining
steam, I have seen people comment things like.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“They should just get vaccinated or change jobs.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t get what they are protesting, I still have all my
freedoms.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Really? It has been two years and already you have forgotten
that; wearing a mask, showing vaccine passport, not being able to attend a
wedding or funeral – are not normal things and they certainly are not “freedom.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And why should they have to change jobs? Them or any other
unvaccinated. We have known from the very start we would never achieve 100% vaccination
rate – no country will. Canada and Alberta DO have one of the worlds’ highest
rates of uptake. There is no reason to discriminate against this minority. Once
the restriction mandates are lifted, no ones’ vaccine status will matter.<br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-Ttrx95HP6DK7XBWdi6ko8P7IKi1iuwe-2Vx0Am69S7pha2gwKdhkwNuo2QWhi_5nbK9vg-9WJDhuH3W1qvMtNW4PIhxAS7VHB60eUsgekS8BJTzdxNerEakQ47sVmwUzxXbhGCOmIUmCPckKfGjcUdkfXYuEqzthW_7Q1qwCGSn719MflPgHweZPw=s712" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="712" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm-Ttrx95HP6DK7XBWdi6ko8P7IKi1iuwe-2Vx0Am69S7pha2gwKdhkwNuo2QWhi_5nbK9vg-9WJDhuH3W1qvMtNW4PIhxAS7VHB60eUsgekS8BJTzdxNerEakQ47sVmwUzxXbhGCOmIUmCPckKfGjcUdkfXYuEqzthW_7Q1qwCGSn719MflPgHweZPw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">And then there is the travel aspect – I am tired of this on
several fronts.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>One</b> - We operate a vacation rental (<a href="https://airbnb.com/h/gallowaynest-priddis-alberta" target="_blank">Galloway Nest</a>). We used
to host US and internationals guests, that market has evaporated.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Two </b>- Traveling to most places is not too hard, it is coming
home that is the challenge. We recently drove to the States for a short vacation.
Crossing the border into US there was not one question about vaccination. Just
showed our passports (regular passport, not vaccine one) and answered questions
about where/who we were visiting.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To return to Canada though we had to get a “re-entry test”
and load this to the ArriveCan App with all our other vaccination details
within 72 hours prior to return. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the border,
we hadn’t received out test result… and the 72-hour window was closing. </p><p class="MsoNormal">This is
when the most bizarre thing happened – the Canadian Border Service Agent deemed
us “<b>unvaccinated</b>.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meant we had to
enter the full quarantine protocol. It’s no wonder no one is travelling to Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we, as fully vaccinated Canadians must go
through all of this, I cannot imagine what foreigners have to go through.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><b>Three </b>- Australia. I
can’t even write about this, it’s too upsetting.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
I will say if you have been able to hug your grandkids in the past three years you better
damn well be grateful. <br />
We no longer have the <b>freedom </b>to do this!<br /><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I know it’s been hard for media and the public alike to define
what the Freedom Convoy is all about. I think though, like me, the truckers in
the Freedom Convoy are likely tired. The people who have chosen to join them are
likely tired. The supporters at the roadsides waving, and supplying food are
likely tired. You might not be there
yet, maybe you can live more years like this; but I can’t, they can’t.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We really didn’t need to look any farther than the name to
define what this is about it’s right there, Freedom Convoy.<br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip9NQ2uEiAbOgM2XPGYn1qW5xbC37IV7bd6tqgIlEirqQuoJLIvfc8fMwi_RtsbLb4ZYq2OaNwOy95rGUTnS9VpBjPWq3YjX0FOvcTFuJUgfzzepzdn-wD2iRwQ7UOiGMZ45T9TDXH9bjUPO3fN5ZgfAy00CsiUSv4TvyodEIhJnobFzXBsvBcVlh4tA=s906" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip9NQ2uEiAbOgM2XPGYn1qW5xbC37IV7bd6tqgIlEirqQuoJLIvfc8fMwi_RtsbLb4ZYq2OaNwOy95rGUTnS9VpBjPWq3YjX0FOvcTFuJUgfzzepzdn-wD2iRwQ7UOiGMZ45T9TDXH9bjUPO3fN5ZgfAy00CsiUSv4TvyodEIhJnobFzXBsvBcVlh4tA=s320" width="292" /></a></div><p></p><br /><div><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations?country=USA&fbclid=IwAR0dJQktr0ok_K2vDB4_po0cVlA_3B6TBhkRqvWFhatV4eJU-PgcO56033I" target="_blank">Link to website for vaccination rate graph.</a></div>Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-44138376333400627092019-08-18T19:05:00.001-06:002019-08-18T19:05:42.704-06:00Time to Revamp Alberta's Minimum Wage<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With the
recent news about the Alberta government appointing a <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/5772079/alberta-alcohol-servers-wage-panel/" target="_blank">panel to review the minimum wage for alcohol servers</a>, my husband, Cory, was encouraging me to
publish my ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be literal he said “…you
write it and I will post it as a ‘guest blogger’ on my <a href="http://corymorgan.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After some
consideration I decided to dust off my blog and he is welcome to share it…. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😉</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />Aside from
Cory, there are very few people I’ve shared this idea with. One of them though
is, Doug Schweitzer. It was nearly two years ago I chatted with him about this;
at the time he had taken a <a href="https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/ucp-leadership-candidate-calls-for-big-minimum-wage-rollback-in-alberta" target="_blank">position on lowering the minimum wage.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While as a restaurant owner I liked the idea;
politically I thought it wasn’t the best position to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nor did I think any government could get away
with taking away from employees.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now, not
only do I think it can be done, I think it should and needs to be done. Also,
it shouldn’t be limited to those who serve alcohol. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">However, it needs to be
coupled with other measures which I will outline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First some background. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cory
and I purchased our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WatersEdgePub/" target="_blank">pub</a>/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PriddisCoffee/" target="_blank">café </a>in 2015. Just 10 days after the NDP was elected to
govern, in hindsight probably not one of our wisest decisions. <br />When we started
the minimum wage was $10.20 and $9.20 for alcohol servers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Each October since the minimum wage has gone
up. <br />
<br />
2015 to $11.20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2016
to $12.20 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2017
to $13.60<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2018
to $15.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
are not a huge operation; we average 10 to 12 employees depending on the time
of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that compliment of staff
hasn’t really varied greatly over the years. Looking back now we can see the
actual dollar impact it has had on our business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In 2017 our
payroll expense went up $25,000.00 from the prior year. In 2018 it went up
another $40,000.00. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember – this is
without increasing the number of staff or number of hours worked by staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We were
able to weather these increases by cutting back on other things (like less entertainment)
and we were also able to increase our sales each year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many other restaurants couldn’t do this and
have had to close. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There
is only so much cutting of expenses one can undertake and it’s challenging to
keep increasing your sales when you have limited market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I should mention in 2019 we did eliminate one position in our establishment and
that is of a dishwasher. Now other staff have this added to their responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over last winter we also took to closing on
Monday’s to reduce hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We won’t
know the full impact of the October 2018 increase until later this year – I anticipate
it will also be in the 40K range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />All things considered, we have done well over the past four years, but the effects of past policies are still impacting the restaurant industry.<br />
<br />
Our serving staff have also noticed an impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are getting smaller tips even though
they are providing the same service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
aren’t imagining this, our system tracks
the percentage of tips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where tips used to
be in the 15-18% range, it is now 13-15%. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Servers
love tips – and they deserve them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m confident
in saying all our bartenders and pub servers make more in tips per hour than
they do with their wage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this
since our POS system (like every pub out there) tracks it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our café servers are also alcohol servers, however the sales of liquor in the café are considerably
lower, the average bill is lower and as a result the tips are lower.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the end
of each shift the tips that were given to staff via credit/debit card payments
are paid to the staff in cash. </span>In 2018 our
establishment paid out $94,704.40 in credit card tips in cash to staff –
and we’re just one small, rural pub!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>It’s these
tips that I believe hold the key to the minimum wage dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
The tips I’ve described above are what CRA calls <b>Direct Tips</b>. It’s up to the
employee to then claim them as income on their annual tax return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They do not appear on the employee's T4.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A second category
is called <b>Controlled Tips</b>. This is where the employer possesses the tips and
pays them to the employee at a later date. (This could be either as part of payroll cycle or a separate
issuance). These funds are then subject to Tax, CPP and EI and the income will
show up on the T4 slip for the employee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A third
term I’d like to introduce you to is <b>Declared Tips</b>. This when provincial law
requires employees to declare their<u> Direct tips</u>, along with the <u>Controlled
Tips.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently Quebec is the only
province with this law.<br />
<br />
I believe Alberta should move to a model where <b>all tips are Declared by the
employee and Controlled by the employer.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are benefits to both parties (and to government) and a couple
drawbacks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Employee
benefits:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Higher
reported income (good for securing mortgages and student or car loans)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Higher
amount going to towards CPP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">More
RRSP room<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Higher
EI benefit should they become unemployed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Employer
benefits:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Increased
cash flow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Higher
employee satisfaction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Employee
drawback – No daily cash<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Employer
drawback – Extra paperwork<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For the
provincial and federal government this means more dollars going towards Tax, CPP
and EI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Quebec
employers are rebated a portion of the extra CPP and EI paid by the employer on
the tips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Alberta should introduce a Minimum Wage Range (MWR)</b>; coupled with the Quebec
model of Tip reporting and the Refundable Tax Credit to employers.<br />
<br />
If the employee works in an industry that doesn’t typically see tips or they
have smaller tips, then the employer must top up the hourly rate to bring it to
the top of the MWR.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Let’s say for the sake of these examples, the Minimum Wage Range is $10.00 to $15.00
per hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />1) A bartenders’ tips, over a defined period, calculate to be $20.00/hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The employer then pays the $10.00 + the $20.00,
for a total of $32.00/hr.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />2) </span>A coffee
shop servers’ tips calculate to be $3.00/hr. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The employer pays the $10.00 + 3.00, but this
only brings it to $13.00, so the employer would then need to add an extra $2.00
to bring it up the top of the MWR.<br />
<br />
3) A dishwasher
who receives no tips at all. The employer would be required to pay the top of
the MWR, $15.00 in this scenario.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">By
implementing this employees’ declared income will more accurately reflect their actual financial situation to their benefit.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Employers will
have benefit of lower source deductions, due to paying only on the $10.00/hr.
for some and the rebate on the tips paid as wages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This could allow them to increase the number
of staff or the number of hours available to existing staff.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Government
will have the benefit of higher revenues and higher compliance on individual
tax returns. It would also lower the number of reviews CRA would need to conduct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I don’t
think alcohol servers should be the only ones under review, as I’ve illustrated
among alcohol servers there can be a wide variance. Additionally, there are other
minimum wage positions that have high tipping rates – nail salons come to mind.
In my opinion, my idea of an MWR shouldn’t be industry specific.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
I certain this idea will be controversial and I'm sure to hear from both business owners and employees about potential negative outcomes. I recognize too, that implementation would be a bit of learning curve.<br />
<br />I still believe
it can and should be done. And that the end result would be a boost to our economy with more people employed and more hours available to employees.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />I will be watching with interest to see what the
panel proposes and then of course, there will be the bigger question of what
the government will actually implement.<br /><br /><br /><br />- <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/canada-pension-plan-cpp-employment-insurance-ei-rulings/cpp-ei-explained/tips-gratuities.html" target="_blank">CRA info on Tips and </a></span><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/canada-pension-plan-cpp-employment-insurance-ei-rulings/cpp-ei-explained/tips-gratuities.html" target="_blank">Gratuities </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- <a href="https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/businesses/source-deductions-contributions/calculation-of-source-deductions-and-employer-contributions-in-certain-situations/special-rules-concerning-type-of-remuneration/tips/refundable-tax-credit/" target="_blank">Quebec Refundable Tax Credit</a><br />
- <a href="http://srv116.services.gc.ca/dimt-wid/sm-mw/rpt2.aspx" target="_blank">Canadian Provinces Historical Minimum Wages</a><br /><br />Lastly, a shameless, self-serving <a href="https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1427010541&siteLocale=en_CA" target="_blank">link as our pub/cafe is on the market!!</a></div>
<br />Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-35524840188600113882017-12-25T10:13:00.000-07:002017-12-25T10:13:17.458-07:00Not a day goes by......An open letter to my four grandchildren in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia.<br />
<br />
Dear T, AJ, R and L,<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is Christmas Day here in Canada. It has been over a month
since your mother has been able to speak to you or see you on Facetime. For me it was over three months ago that we
last Skyped together. I’ve missed the twins’ birthday, you didn’t get to speak
to your mom on her birthday and we both missed T’s birthday just this past week
too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your mom and I want you to know we have tried. Oh, how we
have tried. We have emailed, texted and called, but received no replies or
calls back. Maybe you even heard your
dad’s phone and your step-mom’s phones ringing on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
and you will hear them ring again today. Perhaps you’ll wonder why they aren’t answering
the calls or listening to the voicemails. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want you to know it was <b>US</b>, that we were right there and all we wanted
to do was to talk to you. My last voicemail was short; “Hi it’s Gramma, Merry Christmas.
I love you and I miss you. Please call back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This isn’t the first time we’ve been cut off from one
another for an extended period, but in my experience, this has been the most
painful thus far.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I doubt you will see this letter, but maybe, just maybe someone
near you; Nanna or Poppy, or another parent or grandparent or even one of your teachers will recognize who
I’m writing about. All I ask is they give you a hug for me and let you know
that…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...not a day goes by that we don’t love you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...not a day goes by that we don’t miss you incredibly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...not a day goes by that we wish we could just hold you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…not a day goes by they we wish we could watch you grow and
learn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know your hearts must ache for us at times, as ours do
very much for you. More and more I find myself having very emotional responses
to what should be ordinary things. Like
looking out our back window and seeing the tree you planted T. Or the other day when I moved a carpet in the
basement and saw the stain from AJ’s play nail polish. And of course, Christmas always reminds me of
the concert at Red Deer Lake school (right before you left Canada) where R and
L danced on our laps as T performed and later AJ fell asleep on my lap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grampa Cory’s sister is a gramma now. Seeing her grandson
the first time was very hard for me. I must admit, I’ve probably developed an unfair
jealousy of her and my own brothers and sisters; who have free and liberal access
to all their grandchildren. We have
friends with twins as well and whenever they post pictures, I can’t help but wish
I had photos of my twin grandchildren to share or pictures of any of you for
that matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I’ve gained a greater appreciation of is my time
with your cousin H. He asks about you all the time. He misses you very much
too. Whenever he visits we always share memories of all of you and he asks to
Skype as well, like we’ve done before. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If by chance you are reading this, you are likely a lot older
and maybe I’m gone. In that case, I want you to know something about your
mother. In the past she had made some poor
choices in life. But that is now years in the past and she is a much better,
healthier person now. She has become a very strong and determined woman. Please
know everything she is doing or will do, is to find a solution to what is
incredibly complex and heartbreaking situation.
She loves you so very much, regardless of the thousands of miles that
separate you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...... not a day goes by.............</div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-90807969204259710332017-12-15T13:29:00.000-07:002017-12-15T13:29:13.775-07:00Another NDP blow to small business in AlbertaEarlier this week I posted on Facebook page about upcoming changes to Alberta Employment Standards, in particular the changes to General Holidays and the pay associated with them.<br /><br />In my interpretation it sounded drastic and I openly admitted that I hoped I was wrong.<br />
<br />
I had emailed Employment Standards and as of today I had not received a reply, thus I called them.<br />
<br />
I spoke with Carol, she was very helpful and addressed all of my questions.<br />
<br />
Here are the key points of change:<br />
<br />
1) the eligibility requirement of having worked 30 days/shifts prior to the General Holiday has been removed.<br />
<br />
2) for part-time individuals or those with irregular schedules, the requirement to work 5 or the last 9 same day of week of the General Holiday has been removed.<br />
<br />
<b>The result of these two points is everyone is eligible right away.</b><br />
<br />
Eligibility goes on to say they must work their scheduled day before and after the holiday. Some have taken this to mean the "immediate" day before and after the holiday - this is not the case. It's any day before or after that they are scheduled.<br /><br />There is no longer a definition of a "regular" or "non-regular" workday for employees.<br />
<br />
I gave Carol the example of us having one employee in particular who only works Wednesday's. She confirmed under new rules he will now be eligible. Even though he never works a Monday or Friday (when the General Holidays usually land). Because he has worked he regular scheduled day before and after he is eligible.<br />
<br />
We then went onto to discuss how the pay is calculated.<br />
<br />
1) for those who work the holiday, they will be paid at a rate of 1.5 times their wage for the hours work, on top of their regular wage for those same hours.<br />
<br />
This is the same as it is now.<br />
<br />
2) for those who don't work the holiday, their pay will be calculated as 5% of their wages, general holiday pay and vacation pay earned in the four weeks immediately preceding the general holiday.<br />
<br />
This point is a <b>huge</b> departure from the current structure, since everyone now is eligible all staff with be paid this when they don't work the holiday. Or if your business is closed for the holiday, this will also apply to all staff.<br />
<br />
There are nine mandated General Holidays, plus businesses must choose one more, bringing the total to ten per year. They are relatively spread out over the year and each time (roughly monthly) employers will be paying out 5% out on all the wages paid.<br />
<br />
Add to this the burden of making these calculations for every employee. To the best of my knowledge no accounting program will have this calculation built in.<br />
<br />
Businesses that have mostly full-time staff they won't see much difference. Ones though who predominantly employee part-time staff - this is <b>very significant.</b><br />
<br />
Using our business as an example:<br /><br />We have 15 staff, nearly all are part-time. On General Holidays we typically have 3, sometimes 4 staff in. Under prior rules the staff who didn't work it would only be eligible if it was a "regular" work day for them or if they had worked 5 of the last nine.<br />
<br />
Under the new rules we will be paying <b>all </b>staff for <b>every</b> General Holiday. This is pretty much equivalent to increasing our wages cost by 5% - nevermind the additional employer portion of CPP and EI.<br />
<br />
In closing here is a link to the <a href="https://www.alberta.ca/general-holidays-pay.aspx" target="_blank">Government site</a> where you can read it for yourself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-12828288720858419192017-10-10T19:24:00.000-06:002017-10-10T19:24:35.147-06:00Why I'm supporting Doug SchweitzerOver the past many months I've been very optimistic about merging of the Wildrose Party and the Progressive Conservatives. I have many friends who were involved in or supported the PC's (sometimes through difficult times) and generally we had more in common than not.<br />
<br />
With a taste of what an NDP government is like, it didn't take much for nearly everyone to realize we must work together - in the same direction. Thus the unity vote passed at an incredible 95% in favour.<br />
<br />
What I had been less optimistic about was who might become the leader. It was a given that Brian Jean and Jason Kenney were going to run. Neither of these two inspire me. Even though I'm the same age as Brian and Jason is younger; they both seem "old school". Some may interpret this as "old boys club", but that isn't what I mean. They just present themselves as not being very flexible or forward thinking.<br />
<br />
When Doug Schweitzer entered the race I admittedly didn't know a single thing about him. I was then involved with the LEC and hadn't had the time to do any research. It even took me a couple of weeks to get his name right; ironically not his surname, but his first. ;)<br />
<br />
The first UCP debate in Calgary on September 20 would be the first time I have an opportunity to learn more about Doug. A couple of things that struck me during that debate were his love of our province and also his strong support of businesses, entrepreneurs and women. However what really stood out and set him apart from the other candidates - was his support of GSA's.<br />
<br />
Doug is the <b>only </b>candidate who has spoken out directly on the fact the new UCP <b>has </b>to set the tone on the social issues correctly, right from the start. This isn't something we can be wishy washy on or be one thing one week and flip flop the next.<br />
<br />
So where do the three candidates stand on this? Here is a quote from the Edmonton Sun (after the second debate)<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/09/28/ucp-candidates-promise-more-private-health-care-at-second-debate" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/09/28/ucp-candidates-promise-more-private-health-care-at-second-debate" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>Kenney's </b></span>response was that nothing is more important than parental choice. </a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/09/28/ucp-candidates-promise-more-private-health-care-at-second-debate" target="_blank">His declaration that Alberta doesn't need politicians standing between parents and kids drew perhaps the loudest cheer of the evening. </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/09/28/ucp-candidates-promise-more-private-health-care-at-second-debate" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Schweitzer</span></b>, though, rejected the notion of informing parents if their child is in a GSA.</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/09/28/ucp-candidates-promise-more-private-health-care-at-second-debate" target="_blank">If his two girls weren't comfortable talking to him for some reason, he said, he would hope they could have the support at a GSA at school. </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/09/28/ucp-candidates-promise-more-private-health-care-at-second-debate" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Jean </span></b>said afterwards he doesn't favour parental informing, either, but during the debate was keen to shift attention to improving Alberta's standard of education.</a></span><br />
<br />
Doug used similar phrases in the Red Deer debate, which I attended on October 3rd. His words really struck me. <br />Ironically, not because one of my children is a member of the LGBTQ community. More because I once was that student in school, who went to a guidance counsellor with a serious personal issue - I was 17 and pregnant. My parents were the last people I wanted to talk to about it. That counsellor worked "with" me, not against.<br />
<br />
Now this isn't the only reason I'm supporting Doug - but it's a big reason to be sure.<br />
<br />
Personally I'm fiscally conservative and (small l) socially liberal. I don't know if Doug would also describe himself this way, but I do know Jason and Brian don't. <br /><br />They are socially conservative - full stop. They make no bones about it and are actively courting the SoCon vote. And good on them, they are upfront about it and you know what you are dealing with.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I resigned my position on the LEC so that I may speak freely on this.<br />
In particular this following point:<br />
<br />
I know there may be members out there who haven't bothered to registered to vote. You may think that it's a foregone conclusion that one of the perceived front runners (Kenney or Jean) are going to win and that your vote won't matter.<br />
<br />
I don't think it is a given. I think there are enough other members who, like me, don't want to return to regressive policies of the old reformers or of the old Alberta Alliance. And we don't have to. Doug has made it clear there is a path for us, under his leadership.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-18870572927706939722017-10-09T17:42:00.000-06:002017-10-09T19:30:56.516-06:00Resigning with optimism<div class="MsoNormal">
I first joined the Alberta Alliance Party in 2005. They had
some archaic policies which I worked actively to remove. When we later merged
with the Wildrose group (who also had regressive social policies), I worked on
the merger team and my focus was to ensure those policies never see the light
of day. And they didn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the early years I was involved with the leadership races as
a volunteer and as party CFO. As the
first Executive Director of the (then) newly formed Wildrose Party, I oversaw
the 2009 Leadership Election. It was with that background I was asked to Chair
the 2015 Leadership Election Committee. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve always viewed the governance of the party as a high
priority. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier this year many people called and emailed me, asking
if they could put my name forward to serve once again on the LEC (Leadership
Election Committee) of the new UCP (United Conservative Party). In July I was called upon to serve and I accepted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since
then the LEC has truly melded. There are no remnants of which party each of us
came from. It is one cohesive group of UCP members. It is comprised of many brilliant minds, who
ask the questions that need to be asked, who can see past the politics and
render fair decisions. The governance of the leadership race is in sound and
secure hands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Knowing this has made my decision to resign my position easier.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe I could have continued in the role and remained
fair and unbiased. What I wasn’t sure of though, was how I would feel on October 28th, after the
race if I hadn’t spoken up on the matter of <b>who </b>is the best suited to lead the UCP.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And clearly, I couldn’t do both. Thus today I have resigned and tomorrow I will expand further on who I will be supporting as the new UCP Leader.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-23046013075046590012015-05-04T10:00:00.000-06:002015-05-04T10:00:23.382-06:00Brian Jean, Wildrose Party Leader<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="true" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152901526688716&set=vb.26731418715&type=1"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152901526688716"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152901526688716"></a><p>This week I spoke to hundreds of Wildrose supporters in Calgary. One thing is clear: Albertans are ready for change!Vote for change you can trust. On May 5, vote Wildrose.</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brianjeanwrp">Brian Jean</a> on Sunday, May 3, 2015</blockquote></div></div>Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-20555731078783880312014-11-16T14:00:00.000-07:002014-11-17T09:53:26.216-07:00Wildrose Position, Policy and Constitution on Human Rights<div class="MsoNormal">
A political party defines itself by many things. Its
members, its actions or issues presented in the Legislature. However they are
also defined by hard written documents. These can be broken into three categories.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Statements</u></b>: These could also be called Positions, Policy
Positions or at the time of an election it could be called Party Platform. These can come from either the members of a
Party or from the elected Caucus of the Party.
They are timely and they are things that are likely to be seen enacted
if the Party forms government.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Policy</u></b>: These are positions the party takes on various
issues. They are things that generally
will stand the test of time and must have party members support. To add, remove or alter a policy it must achieve
at least 50% of a member vote at an AGM or SGM. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Policy is not necessarily what a Party will enact when they
form government. Yes, you read that correctly,
I said it is NOT. Once you form
government you represent all of the population, not just those who choose to be
members of your party. We have seen it
time and time again; parties implement public policy that is contrary to their
own party policy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Constitution</u></b>: This could
be referred to as the “guiding document” for a party. This document lays the foundation (principles)
for the Policy and Positions that may be developed. Anything the members or caucus may pass as
Policy or Positions must align with the Constitution. This document is much harder to alter; it
requires 75% member support to enact any changes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2013 at the Wildrose AGM a motion was brought before the members
to endorse (or defeat) the following Statement: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background: #F6F7F8; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><i>“Wildrose
will defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons. This includes,
but is not limited to, the right to freedom of belief, public expression, practice,
and association. These rights and freedoms shall be protected, regardless of
race, religious belief, colour, gender, physical disability, mental disability,
age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status
or sexual orientation of that person or class of persons.”</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #F6F7F8; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was overwhelmingly endorsed. Here is what one Wildrose member (a gay one,
I might add) had to say about this Statement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #dddddd; font-family: Bitter, georgia, serif;"><a href="http://wildroselogcabin.tumblr.com/post/72792606208/motion-from-2013-wildrose-agm" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">This motion shows the true nature of this party, one that will stand up for the rights of everyone, no matter what. One of the reasons I support this party is because it allows people to be true to themselves and they keep private matters private. Matters that the government has no business in.</a></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the 2014 AGM members were asked to delete the following
Policy:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“…..recognize that all Albertans have equal rights,
privileges and responsibilities.”</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And replace it with the Statement we had endorsed the
previous year. This motion was defeated.
It was defeated as the majority of the members like the current Policy. For
myself I find it concise and to the point.
Additionally we already have the Statement on record and I saw no need
to duplicate that. Let me very clear, not accepting this amendment <b>did NOT
rollback or revoke the previous years’ Statement.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this AGM we also added the following to the Constitution: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“Wildrose will defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons.”</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This passed. And remember Constitutional changes require the
higher bar of 75% to pass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To recap and emphasize what I feel are the key takeaways
from this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wildrose has enshrined in their <b><u>Constitution</u></b> (the guiding
document for all Policy and Platforms): </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Wildrose
will <b>defend</b> the fundamental rights and freedoms of<b> all persons</b>.”</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wildrose has in their <b><u>Policy</u></b>: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“…..recognize that <b>all</b> Albertans have equal rights, privileges and
responsibilities.”</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wildrose has a <b><u>Statement </u></b>on record: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background: #F6F7F8; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">“Wildrose
will defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons. This includes,
but is not limited to, the right to freedom of belief, public expression, practice,
and association. These rights and freedoms shall be protected, regardless of
race, religious belief, colour, gender, physical disability, mental disability,
age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status
or sexual orientation of that person or class of persons.”</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have reviewed the Policy and Constitution of other Parties
currently represented in our Legislature in Alberta and none of them have such
a clear, succinct and all inclusiveness as that of the Wildrose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please note: I hold no official position in the Wildrose
Party. I am an ordinary member. I’m also the mother of a bi-sexual child.</div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-88759733015968012042014-09-10T11:19:00.000-06:002014-09-10T11:19:34.980-06:00You've had enough?? Well so have we.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/Jaanikka">@Jaanikka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoryBMorgan">@CoryBMorgan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/willmimi">@willmimi</a> lets discuss all of this in court. i am have put up with your shit for too many years. Enough.<br />
— Craig Chandler (@CraigBChandler) <a href="https://twitter.com/CraigBChandler/status/509747493173612545">September 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
The following is an excerpt from a October 28, 2009 "Report of the Leadership Committee". This after completion of Wildrose leadership race.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2. The Committee assessed a penalty against the
Dyrholm campaign for not validating people's consent to the membership
application (resulting in memberships for dead people). This amounted to
an early release of their list to the other campaign, and a requirement that
they provide actual verification of all memberships sold beyond that
date. We chose not to challenge the validity of any memberships
handed in before that date, as a mater of practicality.</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This penalty was appealed to the Executive, and denied based
on an email exchange with response individually to the President.</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Tip of an iceberg.<br /><br />Look forward to the entire document being revealed in court.<br />
<br />
<br />Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-41933718242168006292013-10-18T09:18:00.000-06:002013-10-18T09:18:18.865-06:00On lobby groups, forums and astroturfing in the Calgary election.<i>The following is a cross-posting from <a href="http://corymorgan.com/" target="_blank">Cory Morgan.</a></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Electoral forums play an
important role in elections at all levels of government. These forums provide
an opportunity for voters to watch candidates first-hand and hear them respond
to the pressing issues of that particular campaign. Candidates can demonstrate
their ability to respond on the spot to questions and can engage with other
candidates of differing views if the forum format allows for such interaction.
People who can’t go to a forum in person can still benefit through watching
media summaries of the event as often these forums are covered by all types of
media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Calgary
only held one mayoral forum with all of the candidates and it unfortunately was
almost a complete waste of time as the forum was held and managed by a highly
biased informal lobby group acting under the name of CivicCamp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The
most glaring evidence of the forum bias was in the twelve questions selected by
this group calling themselves CivicCamp to ask of the candidates during the
forum. Unlike most electoral forums where audience questions are allowed and
candidates may debate each other on points, in this forum things were carefully
orchestrated so that only twelve questions were to be presented and candidates
had no means to respond to anything else aside from these twelve questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Let’s
look at what the group calling themselves CivicCamp determined to be the twelve
most important issues to Calgarians in this election.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Will you release campaign donors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Do you support a living wage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Do you support secondary suites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Can we expect movement to urban agriculture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">How will you support Calgary poverty reduction
initiative<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Sun Valley Blvd and Macleod trail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What role should city play in investing in artists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Do you believe the city requires a charter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Stance on cosmetic use of pesticides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What is your stance on curbside recycling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">How will you repair flood damaged infrastructure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit;">12.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What would a diverse economy look like in the city<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 30pt; outline: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">While
candidates and media are reporting spending, tax increases, vehicular
congestion and public safety as being among the top issues of concern among
Calgarians, apparently these did not make the top twelve questions at this
CivicCamp forum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">If
you are wondering why the twelve questions look like they were lifted right out
of Mayor Nenshi’s campaign platform don’t be surprised considering Naheed
Nenshi co-founded the group that wrote the questions. Of course Nenshi’s pet
lobby group won’t ask those awkward questions about tax hikes or the
demonization of industry that Nenshi has participated in. Banning audience
questions ensured things never went of the choreographed rails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Can
we imagine a circumstance of more blatant bias than having an electoral forum hosted
and managed by a group formed by one of the candidates? I sure can’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">This
group of people who called themselves CivicCamp lobbied City Council directly
demanding massive tax hikes as can be seen in the letter accepted by council.
Considering how Nenshi hiked property taxes 32% since being elected, I would
say their lobbying was effective. No wonder they didn’t want voters asking
about taxation at their forums. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://corymorgan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cityhallminutes.pdf" style="font-style: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #1982d1; font-family: "inherit","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Budget presentation letter</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Let’s
be clear here. This loose lobby group that acted under the name CivicCamp was
not some simple group of volunteers seeking to hold election forums. This was a
highly biased and ideologically driven lobby group that was hiding under the
radar by refusing to even simply register as a non-profit society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Below
is a video of Naheed Nenshi giggling and wearing a CivicCamp shirt while
celebrating their successfully lobbying the city council to embrace the
controversial Planit document as well as the myopic street-closure promoted by
Druh Farrell (the street festival was an unmitigated disaster and was
discontinued after a couple of years).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 19.5pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tl7Hb_sZM78" style="border-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="560">
</iframe>
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 19.5pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Does Naheed Nenshi and this group of people have the right to lobby for
preferred policies in city hall?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 19.5pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 18pt;">Of course they do. A person can’t pretend for a second however
that this group of people is unbiased and should be presenting themselves as
such during a civic election.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 19.5pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 18pt;">The CivicCamp group showed gross bias in Ward 11 when for their
forum they gave Brian Pincott (Nenshi’s preferred candidate) an outright veto
in choosing the moderator of the forum. Was this sort of power given to any
other candidates? Apparently just loading and controlling the questions wasn’t
enough, catering to the whims of their preferred candidates in selection of
moderators was part of the deal too. In Ward 11 the CivicCamp gang aggressively
pressured one of the candidates running against Pincott in their hypocritical
finance disclosure campaign to the point of being on borderline harassment.
While this candidate had disclosed his donors above and beyond what was legally
required, it was not enough for the CivicCamp group. They called, emailed and
literally even camped outside his campaign office doors at one point trying to
get some sort of extra disclosure or something.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 19.5pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 18pt;">There
are lobby groups and there are groups that try to facilitate unbiased political
discourse. These are two very different things but CivicCamp with Nenshi’s help
has managed to try and tie both of these roles into one group which hides from scrutiny
and never actually pursued or gained any legal form of existence. Despite not
actually existing as a legal entity, this group has somehow managed to raise
and spend money however which is a whole different area of contention to be
examined later.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 18pt;">The
properly registered CivicCamp that I and some others have formed is volunteer
based, transparent, legal and is not trying to pretend that it does not carry a
policy slant. Let’s hope that if Nenshi chooses to spawn further lobby groups
in the future that these groups display the open honesty that we have as
opposed to essentially astroturfing in the extreme for the Mayor’s electoral
benefit.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 18pt;">It is too late for this election, but let’s hope we don’t
let a biased group take off with the management of these very important
electoral forums in the next civic election.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Link to: </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://corymorgan.com/on-lobby-groups-forums-and-astroturfing-in-the-calgary-election/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent;">On lobby groups, forums and astroturfing in the Calgary election</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">.</span></a></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See also: <a href="http://corymorgan.com/transparency-and-accountability/" target="_blank">Transparency and Accountability</a></span></div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-51341372867365973992013-10-10T09:41:00.001-06:002013-10-10T09:49:59.626-06:00Nenshi Budgets a Massive Increase in Campaign SpendingOn Naheed Nenshi's campaign website he states he will:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 24px 30px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<li style="border: 0px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em;">limit campaign expenditures to $0.65 per resident;</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
When put that way it sounds like a low amount. I thought I would check how it compared to his 2010 election spending.<br />
<br />
In 2010 his expenditures were $404,229. (<a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CA/city-clerks/Documents/election/2010/2010CampaignFinances/0/nenshi.pdf" target="_blank">pdf document</a>) and the population then was <a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CA/city-clerks/Documents/Election-and-information-services/Census/2010_census_result_book.pdf" target="_blank">1,071,515.</a> This equates to $ 0.37 per resident.<br />
<br />
Our current population is <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-s-population-hits-1-15m-people-1.1385386" target="_blank">1,149,552</a>. This means Nenshi's campaign has budgetted to spend up to $747,208 on his 2013 campaign.<br />
<br />
That's an increase of $ 342,979 or<b> nearly 85%</b> !! Let that sink in....85%<br />
<br />
In 2010 he was in a huge battle and clearly considered an underdog. Now, in 2013, he doesn't even have any real competition yet is planning on such a massive jump.<br />
<br />
Why spend so much more money when there is clearly no need to? Did they budget so high simply because they had the money and could? How much of this attitude and spending perspective will come into play when he is budgetting our (taxpayers) money?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Disclaimer</b>:<br />
<br />
Percentage was calculated using <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Percentage-Increase" target="_blank"> this math</a>; if that stresses you can use this <a href="http://www.csgnetwork.com/percentchangecalc.html" target="_blank">online calculator</a>. Numbers may vary when calculated in <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Mayor+Nenshi+explains+math/8960417/story.html" target="_blank">NenshiMath</a>. Sadly I haven't been granted access to the magical purple calculator.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-79222751002597298472013-10-09T20:43:00.000-06:002013-10-09T20:48:56.733-06:00Candidates Vilified for Following the LawToday I received an email from Calgary Ward 4, incumbent candidate, Gael MacLeod. This is how it starts:<br />
<div>
<br />
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px;"><blockquote style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Election Day is Only 12 Days Away - We Need Your Help Today</span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">
Dear Jane,</blockquote>
<blockquote style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: normal;">Election Day is only 12 days away and <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">we still need your help!</b></span> Gael MacLeod is facing a well-funded candidate who will <u style="line-height: 18px;">not</u> release his donor list or show up at Ward 4 forums. Gael has also been designated a target of the Manning Centre, who are putting alot of resources into unseating her. <b style="line-height: 18px;">Don't let them get away with it - help us send</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;"><b style="line-height: 18px;"> Gael back to City Council. </b></span></blockquote>
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gael is clearly attacking <a href="http://www.seanchu.ca/" target="_blank">Sean Chu</a>, as he is her only real competition. Sean placed a very strong second last time. With fewer candidates this time (5 vs 11 in 2010) and Sean being the only one representing sound fiscal management, he stands a decent chance of unseating her.<br /><br />It </span>has been proven time and time again, <span style="font-family: inherit;">well-funded campaigns are not a guarantee to winning elections. It's the candidate, their actions and their ability to connect and resonate with the electorate that will bring success. And if someone hasn't released their donors how can one make the claim they are "well-funded"?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I for one, am getting tired of hearing this public shaming of candidates who are not releasing donor lists. There is no such requirement at this time. They are following the law. Period. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Laws I might add that were influenced and passed by the current "elected" officials. If you don't like them, see to it that they are changed. Civic politicians like Naheed Nenshi and Gael MacLeod, will say "We tried, but it's Provincial jurisdiction, we can't do anything about it". Well then obviously your opinion and position on the matter wasn't strong enough or relevant to them - so why impose it on others? This constant badgering of the other candidate comes off sounding whiny and very petty. You want respect then raise above these childish temper tantrums.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
One of the problems with releasing donors early is that it puts individuals privacy at risk. I've seen cases where addresses have been inadvertently posted online. We also have groups like Civic Camp under the guise of being "non-partisan" pressuring people to release donor information. On their affiliate <a href="https://disclosure2013.azurewebsites.net/" target="_blank">website </a>you can, in some cases, even seen the names of donors who gave under $100.00. Under the law their information is protected and never publicized. They have a disclaimer that this is how the candidates are displaying them as well. I wonder do those people know their privacy has been breached? Did they sign something to agree to their name being made public?<br />
<br />
As for the Manning Centre I fail to see how Gael feels threatened by them. They are a think-tank. They conduct studies. They hold lectures and training sessions. And yes, they are very politically focused. Did Sean Chu attend any Manning functions or training? I don't know, I do know when I spoke to him about a month or so ago, he hadn't. Besides it's open to the public; anyone, including Gael can take advantage of their resources.<br />
<br />
In my mind it is continuing education. Something I support and I know Gael does too. As evidenced by her spending while in office.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Calgary+aldermen+expense+over+months/8860738/story.html" target="_blank">The recent disclosure shows three aldermen expensed more than $10,000 between Jan. 1 and June 30. Ward 4 Ald. Gael MacLeod topped the list with $11,046 in expenses, $4,905 of which was spent on website and communications training sessions for her two ward assistants.</a></blockquote>
<br />
To me it is very hypocritical for an elected official to on one hand support spending taxpayers money on education and then turn around and point a finger at someone who "might have" sought out further education on his own time, with his own money!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
How did I even get this email?</h3>
We moved out of Ward 4 nearly six months ago. I didn't sign up or subscribe to any Calgary candidates email lists. I replied to the email from Gael asking how they got my address. I got a very prompt reply from <a href="https://twitter.com/pamsterini" target="_blank">Pam Krause</a>, Campaign Manager.<br />
<br />
Pam wrote: <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I believe it was from when you were a candidate in the 2010 election. </span><br />
<br />
I replied with: <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I didn't use this email during the last campaign. Please confirm for me how I got added to your distribution list.</span><br />
<br />
Pams response: <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I am sorry - I don't actually know that. I am a volunteer on Gael's campaign. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
What kind of records are they keeping if they can't tell when or how I was added to the list? Even a bare-bones campaign will use an Excel spreadsheet and retain such information. And really Pam, you may be volunteering, but you have the top level position - it's your business to know these things.<br />
<br />
Since Gael was elected I have corresponded with her using this email address (the address this email came to). There were a few emails on personal matters that I sent to her at the Aldermanic office and later there were group emails involving the Highland Park Community Association which I was a member of at the time. <br /><br />Gael knows I moved, she acknowledge that on Twitter just a few weeks ago and she knows I'm supporting Sean, so it is highly unlikely she would purposely add me to her campaign distribution list. This leads me to believe other lists were imported into her database. Either a list of people she has had contact with via her role as an Alderman or lists of active Community Association members.<br />
<br />
If it is the former, then she has abused information gathered as an Alderman; if it is the latter, then she has misused information that was to be strictly used for Aldermanic, non-political work with communities. If either of these are indeed what happened, they are very disappointing actions for an elected official.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</li>
</ul>
</div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-25257908991409110102013-09-21T09:02:00.000-06:002013-09-21T22:46:57.603-06:00The Alberta Party, a sad waste of a good name.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Background</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So far as registered political parties in Alberta go, the
Alberta Party has by far the coolest and best name. It’s been around since the mid-eighties and
more than one other party has tried to get their name. The Social Credit, the
Separation Party of Alberta and the Alberta Alliance all made attempts at
mergers through negotiations and all failed.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2010 people from the failed “Renew Alberta” movement and
the defunct (deregistered) Alberta Green Party were successful in a quiet takeover.
They managed to attract some intelligent and well spoken individuals, like Chima
Nkemdirim and Naheed Nenshi. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many feel they took a big hit to their rise as a real party
when Nenshi became Mayor of Calgary. He really was their only hope at having a quality
leader. They also saw a glimmer of hope when Dave Taylor crossed the floor to
sit as an Alberta Party MLA. That was
short-lived as Taylor didn’t run in the following election. I’ve heard some
explain his actions as a “final ego trip” before retiring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Trying too hard?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Alberta Party will say they are “big in social media”;
they are utilizing “cutting edge of technology” and the “new way of doing
politics.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Social media can be a deceptive thing. For example, Marc
Doll one of their biggest cheerleaders, recently admitted <a href="https://twitter.com/HarperDroneJoan/status/373215309257142272" target="_blank">(after getting caughtred-handed)</a> to creating a “sock puppet” account on Twitter. He said<a href="https://twitter.com/HarperDroneJoan/status/373459608808853504" target="_blank"> many people</a>
had access to it. So you know if there is one fake account, there likely many,
many more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They do use the latest in technology, like online and
telephone voting, live streaming of their AGM’s and other meetings. However in
doing so they have cut themselves off from both a huge voting demographic and
forgotten how to use tried and true methods of reaching people. Case in point:
My husband Cory purchased a membership, he <a href="https://twitter.com/CoryBMorgan/status/367784793733222400" target="_blank">never received a membership card</a>; in
fact he has never received any correspondence via regular mail from the Alberta
Party – not even a ballot or voting information for the Leadership vote
happening this weekend. And from the
sounds of it many others didn’t receive anything either, since on Friday
morning they sent out a last minute emails to everyone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So far as their new way of doing politics – their “Big
Listen” turned into a <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Graham+Thomson+Alberta+parties+look+friendlier+ways+support/8940631/story.html" target="_blank">Big Flop</a>. No
clearly defined policies, no one knowing where they stood on issues – in fact
you could ask two or more members and get two or more widely different
answers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Downhill fast</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/albertaparty/posts/10151512161266410" target="_blank">February 23<sup>rd</sup> of this year</a> the Alberta Party
held a “Special Constitutional Meeting” to make some amendments to their Constitution/Bylaws.
They made some bizarre changes, like allowing the Leader to be a voting member
of the board and keeping the board size at an inflated 25 members. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The one though that was of interest was changing the quorum
requirement at AGM’s and Special Meetings. Their requirement had been set at
25% of membership. Their <a href="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/albertaparty/pages/414/attachments/original/1363365978/Results-ConstitutionalAmendmentsBySubject.pdf?1363365978" target="_blank">reasoning </a>(top of pg 16) for the proposed amendments (there were
several) was as follows: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“As the party has grown, 25% of the
membership has become an unreasonable number for quorum (the bylaw in its
current form requires a quorum of almost 800 people).”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From that we can calculate they had nearly 3200 members in February. Just days ago it was reported that they have<a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/Alberta+Party+struggles+relevance+prepares+pick+leader/8934072/story.html" target="_blank">580 members</a> eligible to vote for the new leader. This means that over 2500 people, who likely purchased memberships in March/April of
2012, decided not to renew. <br />
<br />
Even the Wildrose in 2009 (year after an election) had nearly 1200 members and exploded to 12,000 during its leadership race. If the Alberta Party had a hope of growth post-election, this should have been it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting back to the quorum amendment – what did pass was to
change it to:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/albertaparty/pages/497/attachments/original/1379045451/Alberta_Party_Bylaws_-_2013.pdf" target="_blank">“One hundred and fifty (150) or 1% of Party Members in good standing, whicheveris less, will constitute a quorum for Special Meetings or Annual General Meetingsof the Party.”</a></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Well one percent is
indeed a very attainable goal with only 580 members. Heck at 5.8 people only ¼ of
the provincial board could show up and they could have a valid AGM. Is it just me or isn’t that downright absurd?
They need the majority of the 25 directors at board meetings – so 13 people;
yet only need 6 at AGM’s???<br />
<br />
I asked yesterday on Twitter how many were registered to attend. The President,
William Munsey replied saying <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_President/status/381145783166173184" target="_blank">“50 or so”</a>, well above their required quorum. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Is it though? Most political
parties in Alberta are registered under the Society’s Act and as such fall
under the law of the Act. One of those reads as follows: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><a href="http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/acts/s14.pdf" target="_blank">Rescission,etc. of bylaws</a></span><span style="color: #4e4e4e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">15</span><span style="background: white;">(1)
The bylaws of a society shall not be rescinded, altered or added to except by
special resolution of the society.</span><span style="background: white;">(2) No
rescission or alteration of or addition to a bylaw has effect until it has been
registered by the Registrar.</span><span style="background: white;">(3) If
the Registrar is of the opinion that a bylaw is not in accordance with the
application for incorporation or that it contains anything contrary to law, the
Registrar shall refuse to register it.</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
It is 15(2) that is
important to note. Societies can vote on all sorts of things, but until the
changes are filed the bylaw has no effect. Actually not only do they need to be
filed, but as you can see in 15(3) they have to be <b><u>accepted</u></b>, as the Registrar can refuse to register it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
It took the Alberta
Party a very long time to get their revised Bylaws and Constitution posted on
their website, it just showed up this past week. That got me thinking, if they
didn’t have it amalgamated into one document until now (7 months) after the
Special Meeting, what were the chances that the changes were in fact filed and
approved by the Society’s Registrar?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I went down to a local
registry office and requested a list of directors and a copy of the current bylaws
and constitution. They were able to give
me the list of directors and a detailed history of all changes and documents
filed. The copy of true and current
bylaws will take a couple business days to come to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
With the information I
did get though, I can already see that no changes or documents have been filed
in 2013. The most recent change being an update to their address and the most
recent documents filed being the annual return; both filed November 5, 2012.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-tq6xmy-d4uCH7Aeh87q9YZW7V89rhk-oWvO3QshbKLNl2Yz-2pXkfdj0fnz4GZXTe_nNvJFRgs2l9jxs-5ovUtPrQzM0H82m34JZ7ylQJ6WgJ-pp7oIYlcX7ygYl9zxIOIl4Q1jUq2I/s1600/Alberta+Party+registry+history.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-tq6xmy-d4uCH7Aeh87q9YZW7V89rhk-oWvO3QshbKLNl2Yz-2pXkfdj0fnz4GZXTe_nNvJFRgs2l9jxs-5ovUtPrQzM0H82m34JZ7ylQJ6WgJ-pp7oIYlcX7ygYl9zxIOIl4Q1jUq2I/s320/Alberta+Party+registry+history.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Now, I’m no lawyer, but
I do know from past experience - a party can’t presume to operate under amended
bylaws until you receive the confirmation letter from the Society’s Registrar
that they have been accepted. To me this
would indicate that the Alberta Party is still governed by (what they believe
to be) their previous bylaws. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The bylaws that require
25% of membership at AGM’s to meet quorum. With 580 members they will need 145
members in attendance at today’s AGM in order for it to be valid. Will this impact the Leadership vote? Likely
not, I suppose the losing candidate could make a case for it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
However, I believe it would invalidate any
other party business done at this AGM; the election of the new board for
example. Indeed there are many who would
argue, that unless quorum is present at the onset of the meeting, it shouldn’t
even proceed.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 9:50 PM</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
I've had a couple of exchanges on Twitter today and it would appear the Party thought my concerns valid enough to seek legal advice. According to Chris McClure <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaanikka/status/381469251627782144" target="_blank">"legal council says no problems"</a> This is great news and as you can see, I asked if they would be issuing an explanation to members. Apparently they are going beyond that and have issued a press release, which they say will be covered on Global TV tonight.<br />
<br />
You can see that information in the same <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaanikka/status/381469251627782144" target="_blank">link </a>by scrolling down to see responses from "suepeac" and "SusanPeac". I suspect they are one and the same person. It would be an incredible coincidence that two people, with nearly identical names, are both huge Alberta Party supporters AND just happen to respond to questions directed at the other.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwKQTq17bpEHhIaJpypDuM5HHjeAmj28A6jPeYzr0D-sKYMcddvR6iZ9lr-Lf068SHo0zlIVf560Net4LQdPvLPwpII1kUsyC34FfMdzs71Ug9rc2nBYsUW-Gd4FeJHVkC8I-vKQRlGop/s1600/Monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwKQTq17bpEHhIaJpypDuM5HHjeAmj28A6jPeYzr0D-sKYMcddvR6iZ9lr-Lf068SHo0zlIVf560Net4LQdPvLPwpII1kUsyC34FfMdzs71Ug9rc2nBYsUW-Gd4FeJHVkC8I-vKQRlGop/s320/Monkey.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-70175953752796258102013-09-20T19:45:00.000-06:002013-09-20T19:45:06.524-06:00Guess what's wrong with this picture.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Take a close look at this document - see anything amiss? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPKpRkpUJVsM2CwIAD8j9MW-n7-DBiLGrvSOO3cjZ-DvK7ypOUMg4DIGvGzfIUv4I2A2uBp0WfLsbfQse_hb7whRPTKsK5UKbPtvkOeqaq0EYb7OagmF5WkpJFQtkhQdcghB78bY64w3Y/s1600/Alberta+Party+registry+history.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPKpRkpUJVsM2CwIAD8j9MW-n7-DBiLGrvSOO3cjZ-DvK7ypOUMg4DIGvGzfIUv4I2A2uBp0WfLsbfQse_hb7whRPTKsK5UKbPtvkOeqaq0EYb7OagmF5WkpJFQtkhQdcghB78bY64w3Y/s320/Alberta+Party+registry+history.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a huge <a href="https://www.facebook.com/albertaparty/posts/10151512161266410" target="_blank">clue </a>for you.Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-83830389994710002162013-05-05T14:39:00.000-06:002013-05-05T14:39:14.824-06:00Red Green Meets Tim HortonsSpotted this at my local Tim Horton's this afternoon. <br /><br />They must have an aspiring Red Green on staff.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181484_10151599805951007_1315395235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181484_10151599805951007_1315395235_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-77332232331731628102013-04-11T08:10:00.000-06:002013-04-11T08:34:09.737-06:00Alberta PCs: SOME PARTY THAT I USED TO KNOWThe following video is the result of a creative endeavor by Amanda Achtman and friends.<br /><br />While I was only a member of the PC party for three weeks; I have many friends who are still hanging in there hoping for "change from within". For those who have left, I think Amanda has captured how they now feel.<br />
<br />
Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IPlo1nNJGyE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-89523267001057922802012-11-23T09:38:00.000-07:002012-11-24T11:10:34.725-07:00Wildrose 2012 AGM - Live Journal Going to try quasi live journaling our weekend adventures and the Wildrose AGM. Truthfully a lot of it may end up being after things happen - depending on how much socializing we do, battery power on the laptop and of course internet access.<br />
<br />
Thanks to the good graces of a wonderful boss, I have today off of work. :)<br />
<br />
<h3>
Friday November 23</h3>
<br />
First - Happy Birthday to my oldest sister. Man you <b>ARE </b>old...she is 6X today.. LOL<br />
<br />
7:00 AM - Thought I could sleep in a bit today; had to settle for just 30 minutes extra sleep as the dogs decided to break into their food bin and help themselves to breakfast.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/r270/534575_515233115162729_616458072_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/r270/534575_515233115162729_616458072_n.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke, Blue and Stewie (click on image to enlarge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
9:00 AM - Blue and Stewie are packed up and Cory is taking them to their sitter for weekend. Thanks Jade at <a href="http://www.wheresyoursit.com/" target="_blank">Where's You're Sit.</a><br />
<br />
9:30 AM - Cory returns and loads up Duke, who is currently an <a href="http://albertabulldogrescue.blogspot.ca/p/bullies-in-care.html" target="_blank">Alberta Bulldog Rescue</a>, and he is on his way to a foster volunteer. Time for me to get dressed and go for my pedicure / manicure appointment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
1:30 PM We have been on road for about 1.5 hours now, just passed through Red Deer. I did a telephone interview with James Wood from the Calgary Herald. He will be attending and covering the AGM. You can follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesWoodHerald/" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.<br />
<br />
3:15 PM Checked in at the Mayfair Inns & Suites in Edmonton. Get ready for evenings events.<br />
<br />
5:15 PM We had supper in the restaurant of hotel. I'm not a huge fan of buffets, but this one was quite exceptional. Awesome food. Highly recommend it.<br />
<br />
6:30 PM We checked in with the Wildrose registration desk and received our AGM packages.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Saturday November 24</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitpic.com/show/iphone/bg2nye" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://twitpic.com/show/iphone/bg2nye" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday AM Session</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
8:00 AM Everyone rejoins for breakfast. Many look slightly and/or greatly hungover; thankfully I'm not one of them...LOL<br />
<br />
9:00 AM Doug Main is MC'ing the morning events. We start out hearing from the various candidates for Executive Committee positions.<br />
<br />
Provincial (Zone) Director candidates all speak of connecting with members, strengthening CA's and grow strong base in preparation for 2016 General Election. Excellent candidates and tough choices in all the various divisions around Alberta.<br />
<br />
10:25 AM After a coffee break we will now hear from the candidates for key Executive Committee positions.<br />
<br />
Confirmed there are 700 members in attendance.<br />
<br />
Rob Anderson makes fun of bizarre rumors that have been floating around.<br /><br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
Looking forward to doing intro for @<a href="https://twitter.com/electdanielle">electdanielle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23wrpagm">#wrpagm</a> speech - I will be discussing plans for a takeover - stay tuned...<br />
— Rob Anderson (@RAndersonMLA) <a data-datetime="2012-11-24T18:03:28+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/RAndersonMLA/status/272400055535816704">November 24, 2012</a></blockquote>
<br />
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
..... more to come.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You can also watch live stream of Danielle's keynote speech today.</span></b></div>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b>
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: transparent;">Here is <a href="http://live.wildrose.ca/" target="_blank">link </a>will be around 11:30 AM</b></span></b></div>
<b><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></b>
<br />
Media coverage<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Thomson+Wildrose+shows+momentum+rolling+into+weekend/7603398/story.html" target="_blank">Graham Thomson, Edmonton Journal</a><br />
<a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Wildrose+gathers+search+identity+that+represents+Alberta+majority/7603766/story.html" target="_blank">James Wood, Calgary Herald</a><br />
<br />
Reference material for followers:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://corymorgan.com/wildrose-party-annual-general-meeting-2012-executive-committee-candidates/" target="_blank">Candidates running for Executive positions</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wildrose.ca/agm/" target="_blank">General AGM information</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wildrose.ca/agm/agm-resources/" target="_blank">AGM Attendees Package</a><br />
<br />
My Twitter handle is <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaanikka" target="_blank">Jaanikka</a><br />
<br />Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-47672522722045614192012-11-16T19:04:00.000-07:002012-11-19T07:39:28.403-07:00Burning the Grassroots ??<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The PC’s held their AGM last weekend and
there were a few jabs sent their way on Twitter; from the usual suspects and
yes, okay I was one of them. On November 23 / 24 the Wildrose will be having
their AGM and I fully expect return fire; times three. Likely very little of it
will pierce me. Some might smart a bit if they come from PC friends like
<a href="http://www.calgaryrants.com/" target="_blank">Calgary Rants </a>or <a href="http://www.enlightenedsavage.com/" target="_blank">Enlightened Savage</a>. Later we will get together for drinks with <a href="http://thealbertaaltruist.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Alberta Altruist</a> and others to </span><span lang="EN-US">commiserate</span><span lang="EN-US"> on how every party has similar challenges to deal with. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Typically I
will point out how the Wildrose has been able to differentiate itself from some
of the other parties; in particular when it comes to listening to the
grassroots and avoiding top-down decision making. Alas, it would seem the days of having those
bragging rights are dwindling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My last role with the Wildrose was being an
elected (volunteer) Provincial Director (PD for short or some call them Zone
Directors) from June 2011 to June 2012 when I stepped down. During that time
the Executive Committee (EC) very seldom met (despite it being an election
year) and on occasion the Provincial Directors were left off the meeting
agenda. This made it very challenging to bring ideas forward that came from the
Constituency Associations (CA) we represented and in turn from the members. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One thing the PD’s did get approved at the
EC level was for the party to cut back its’ monthly fundraising letters to
every second month. That way the CA’s could focus on their fundraising in the
alternate months. That directive was given to the Executive Director, Shayne
Saskiw in September 2011. It was never carried out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">More often than not though it would be the
President bringing forward motions with the notion that it was a foregone
conclusion we would pass them. With only a handful of individuals willing to ask
questions or speak and vote against many of them, things generally got passed
with little resistance. When this happens time and time again one begins to
feel you are there simply to rubber stamp someone else’s agenda; but you never
really know who “they” are. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Last Saturday my phone started ringing and
emails came in about a motion apparently passed just last Wednesday (Nov 7) by
the EC; that the vast majority of our members likely won’t be happy with, in
respect to an office move.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Party has been in very expensive
downtown space since January 2010. In my
opinion it was the worst possible location and one of the worst financial
decisions we ever made. It’s not wheelchair accessible, parking is expensive,
the layout isn’t conducive to any sort of confidential business meeting, it’s
so cramped volunteers are elbow to elbow, it’s cumbersome for media to get
their equipment in and there is no room to set up for interviews. And to top it
off we signed a lease that would expire March 2012. I remember saying at the time; <i>“we will be in
another election then.”</i> And we were; so
since then we have continued month-to-month paying the high downtown prices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Party does need to move; there is no
doubt in my mind about that. This was to
have been a priority as soon as the election was over. This was discussed at
the December 2011 and February 2012 meetings of the EC. There was resounding
support to find a more affordable and accessible location in Calgary with free
parking for our volunteers. In fact in
those same discussions we all agreed that when looking for our new Executive
Director, (if Shayne were to be elected) that they would either be from the
Calgary area or be willing to relocate to Calgary.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As I understand it a similar discussion
occurred at the <st1:date day="7" ls="trans" month="8" w:st="on" year="2012">August
7, 2012</st1:date> meeting; that the new location must be in Calgary. The EC
didn’t want to deal with the blow-back they would get from CA’s and members if
they considered another city. Indeed the
last time I did an analysis (early 2010), more than 80% of our membership base
lived south of Red Deer and 75% of fundraising was coming from southern
Alberta; with the vast bulk of that from Calgary. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Back to the motion passed. There seems to
be two versions of what was passed going around. Even the board
members I spoke to are confused as to what the motion said exactly. Version
one is that there will be a report brought back to the EC on November 20<sup>th</sup>
with options as to available space with a focus on finding space in Edmonton.
The second version is that by November 20<sup>th</sup> they will sign a lease
for a specific space in Edmonton.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Regardless of the wording, clearly the
intent is to move the office to Edmonton. This was something that I had
discussed with current ED, Jonathon Wescott just a couple of weeks ago when we
sat down for a coffee. At that time he said it didn’t matter one way or the
other to him where the office was. However he then proceeded to give me
numerous arguments as to why it would be better in Edmonton.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Some of the things he cited were; “Staffing
would be easier”, they wouldn’t “lose staff to the oil and gas sector.” “They
could pay staff less”. “Space is generally cheaper in Edmonton”. “It would be
closer to the Leg”. “It would help deter the ‘Calgary Party’ labeling”. And on
and on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">People seem to have either very short
memories or conveniently forget our failures. Wildrose has tried twice to have
an Edmonton office and failed miserably both times. Volunteers don’t show up or
if they hear certain other people are involved they refuse to help. There are more ‘factions’ within the Edmonton
Wildrose supporters than there are political parties in the whole province.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">They also seem to think having an office
there will somehow draw support. No – it doesn’t happen that way. Our office
was originally in Red Deer, that didn’t change where our members came from.
When we did move it to Calgary it was because the party was all but broke and
someone offered free office space. Additionally, it was operated for over three
years by volunteers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Some (mostly the MLAs) argue that being
closer to the Legislature will make it easier for MLAs or legislative staff to
attend at the office. If you were to ask me that is <b>EXACTLY</b> the reason it
shouldn’t be in Edmonton. The notion of is divvying their time between
legislative and party activity is what will get us into very hot water. Directing
any legislative staff or resources to partisan activity; even just the
perception of it, would be a goldmine of material for the other parties to
attack us on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Many don’t seem to grasp the concept of the
Board of Directors being responsible for the “operational” side of the Party
and the Leader and Caucus being responsible for the “political and Legislative”
side. The two work alongside one another, but the EC doesn’t tell Caucus how to
run government (opposition in this case) and Caucus doesn’t tell the EC how to
operate the Party. Sadly I think these lines have been drastically blurred.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Others also try to make a case about “there
are too many Calgarians running for positions on the EC”. Well, yes there are a
lot because this is where our largest base of members, supporters, volunteers
and donors happen to be. If Edmonton
wants greater representation on the board <b>all they need to do is RUN!</b> Again, moving the office there won’t
magically make people more interested in doing a completely thankless volunteer
job.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I’ve suggested it many times before, if
Edmonton is so gung-ho to have an office (or Red Deer or the Hat or anywhere else)
they should start it the same way we started in Calgary. Get your donated
space, get volunteers to man it; then show us if you have an increase in
support, membership, volunteers and donations. If your CA’s can’t do that, having 3 or 4
paid people in office cubicles aren’t going to get it done either. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After people started contacting me, I
reached out to and spoke with several of the current board members. I wanted to
get a handle on why the change in direction and why there also seems to be a
rush to get this done just weeks prior to our electing a new board. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So I posed some questions to a few EC
members (both for and against the move to Edmonton), CA presidents and a couple
members. I’m only posting the responses that were made by two or more
individuals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Why did this have to be decided now, right before
a new EC is elected? </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>During the
meeting an EC member did ask for it to be tabled for new EC</li>
<li>Paul Collins
insisted it be dealt with prior to AGM</li>
<li>Rob Ladouceur
formulated and put forth the motion</li>
<li>There is a Nov 20<sup>th</sup>
deadline to enter into new lease (3 days prior to AGM)</li>
<li>Some MLAs felt it
wouldn’t go through once new board was elected at AGM</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>What about the staff?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>There is only one
staff member Wescott is willing to bring to Edmonton</li>
<li>One is being
offered a soft landing with the CPC</li>
<li>The other two
will be let go</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>What do you think is the true motivation for
moving the office Edmonton?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Jonathon Wescott never
intended to relocate to Calgary even though he was aware it was a board
stipulation back in late 2011 for the new ED</li>
<li>Jonathon’s wife
is a Crown Prosecutor in Edmonton and won’t relocate, she is also 7 months
pregnant so Jonathon knew this when he applied for the position</li>
<li>Promises of jobs were
made to people in Edmonton. IE:<i> “Put your name forward in the election (that you
likely won’t win) and we will take care of you post-election by way of
employment.”</i></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will restate <b>I do support the office
moving</b> and believe the EC should have dealt with it six months ago. Some will
say; <i>“oh but there wasn’t an ED in place six months ago.”</i> My response to that is
it’s not the EDs decision to make. ED’s operate under the governance and
guidance of the EC. Certainly locating space is something they could task the
ED with, however in the absence of one they could delegate it to someone else.
Or as the EC in 2010 did, they could engage the services of commercial rental
brokerage. Heck they could even send out a Tweet and do some crowd-sourcing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It leave one to wonder why there is now such a rush to get this done? Especially when it seems the two main EC members
championing it are Paul Collins and Rob Ladouceur, neither of whom are running
for their positions again. Remember Rob L is the <a href="http://janemorgan.blogspot.ca/2012/09/wildrose-im-calling-your-bluff.html" target="_blank">one who wrote the clause enabling them to prevent anyone from running for the EC for any reason.</a> </span>And it was Paul Collins (in the comments of
that same posting) who referred to vocal Wildrose, grassroots’ supporters as
“clowns”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">They know full well a new board will be in
place by month’s end. Indeed the timing of a November 20<sup>th</sup> deadline,
just three days prior the AGM is very suspect. Is this their way of leaving a
legacy of their time served?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In case you’re wondering which board
members opposed the move to Edmonton they are:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Cheryl Phaff</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Judy Johnson</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Krista Waters</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Wendy Fulton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now, back to my opening remarks about
listening to the grassroots and avoiding top-down decision making.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Is moving the office part of Caucus
business? No. Having a party office and its location are an operational
function which the EC is responsible for. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Is moving the office at the ED’s request or
to suit where he lives a good idea? Again, likely not. Are we going to move the
office and hire new staff each time we have a new ED? Keeping in mind Wescott is
our fourth Executive Director in less than three years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Is moving the office a decision for the
entire membership to be making? I think not, it would be a bit cumbersome to
garner input from 25,000 people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Is it something that perhaps the EC could </span><span lang="EN-US">elicit </span><span lang="EN-US">feedback from
CA’s on through their PD’s? Absolutely. It would make great strides towards
building those bridges and they do after all represent the members. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One of the
concerns I hear repeatedly coming out of Edmonton is access to EC minutes.
Currently the only way to get them is for a CA president to request in writing
to attend personally at the office to view them. Previously our practice was to
email them out – you know part of being "open and transparent." So
it’s no wonder CA’s who can’t attend personally at the office feel put out by
the Party. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As it stands right now it looks like this
decision was made outside of the EC and they are simply being used to get it
approved. It unfortunately raises doubts about how many other decisions are
being made by individuals not elected by the members. It begs the question;
“are we really any different than the PC’s?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If we want to be able to keep holding our
heads high and honestly say “we aren’t like other parties”; we had better make
sure we elect an EC at our AGM who will abide by our constitution and listened
to the members and our CA’s who are also duly elected by the members. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Members please take the time to get to know
all the candidates who are running. You can find a list and more information on
each of them by <a href="http://corymorgan.com/wildrose-party-annual-general-meeting-2012-executive-committee-candidates/" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Update: I've received a copy of Jonathon Wescotts' "Office Relocation Report". However, I will need to remove some information; so will be posting a redacted version shortly.</i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Report is now posted under a separate tab at top of blog. Here is <a href="http://janemorgan.blogspot.ca/p/wrp.html" target="_blank">quick link </a>to it.</i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span>
Update: Saturday, Nov. 17<br />
<br />
Interesting twitter discussion on this post.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-in-reply-to="269831864775229440">
@<a href="https://twitter.com/danknight3">danknight3</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/corybmorgan">corybmorgan</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/jaanikka">jaanikka</a> Definitely not. The new EC will sign the new leases. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23wrp">#wrp</a><br />
— Danielle Smith (@ElectDanielle) <a data-datetime="2012-11-17T16:06:32+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/ElectDanielle/status/269833909917855747">November 17, 2012</a></blockquote>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/danknight3/status/269649399888625665" target="_blank">Link to full string.</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-84837356049849584332012-11-11T08:59:00.000-07:002012-11-11T09:01:29.686-07:00Remember George Quist HansenI've always have always been drawn to graveyards. I'm not sure why this is. I know most people avoid them and some even feel uncomfortable in them. I remember being genuinely surprised when Cory told me he too liked them. Since then we have visited many together and even had some of our wedding photos taken at the <a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Cemeteries/Union-history.aspx" target="_blank">Union </a>and <a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Cemeteries/Burnsland-history.aspx" target="_blank">Burnsland </a>Cemeteries in Calgary.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/260036_10151190859261007_406535781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/260036_10151190859261007_406535781_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We love strolling through them, reading the names and wonder what their lives might have been like. We can only wonder as we never knew these people and I guess it's our way of remember those who came before us. That's what Remembrance Day is about; paying tribute to those who made sacrifices for all of us, whether you knew them or not.<br />
<br />
As generations pass I think it will become harder and harder for people to remember. As those who survived the major wars pass away, so will some of their stories. Grandchildren, great-grandchildren and so on will be further and further removed from the memories of those directly involved in war.<br />
<br />
Last week my son was award three scholarships and bursaries from <a href="http://www.mtroyal.ca/" target="_blank">Mount Royal University</a>. One of them was the <a href="http://www.mtroyal.ca/100/military_memorial_project.htm" target="_blank">"Flight Sergeant George Quist Hansen Military Memorial Bursary"</a>. This piqued my interest to learn more about George Hansen. What I found was very limited, but does include two things of (ironically) personal interest.<br />
<br />
George died either April 27 or 28, 1944 (depending on the source) during WWII. He was 28 years old and he is buried at <a href="http://twgpp.org/information.php?id=1483825" target="_blank">Schoonselhof Cemetery in Belgium.</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twgpp.org/photos/17534/Hansen_GQ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://twgpp.org/photos/17534/Hansen_GQ.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twgpp.org/information.php?id=1483825" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
He was a gunner in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was in the 431 Squadron and the serial number of his plane was MZ536. This is will be of interest to my son, since his grandfather on his fathers' side was also a gunner in the RCAF. It makes one ponder if they ever crossed paths.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #e1ebf2; color: #536482; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">MZ536 was one of four 431 Sqdn Halifaxes lost on this operation. See: LK842; MZ522; MZ529. MZ536 was initially issued to No.432 Sqdn. Airborne 2323 27Apr44 from Croft, tasked to bomb the railway yards. shot down by a night-fighter and reported to have crashed at Trognee (Li_ge), 10 km WSW of Waramme, though burials are reported from Antwerpen-Deurne 30Apr44. Their graves are now located in the Schoonselhof Cemetery. Considering the distance between the reported crash-site and the place of burial, some amendment in respect of the former may be necessary. </span><a href="http://www.lostaircraft.com/database.php?lang=en&mode=viewentry&e=9493#" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
<br />
Given it was a mission on the evening of April 27 that explains why there are the two dates of death. From <a href="http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/orig-ww2-rcaf-casualty-grp-431-sqn-112360854" target="_blank">another site </a>I discovered he had a wife and was from Standard, Alberta. Since I grew up in the area and attended High School in Standard - it has me wondering if I went to school with one of his descendants.<br />
<br />
There is so much we don't know about George Hansen. Where was he born? Did he have children? What kind of man was he?<br />
<br />
On this day though, I we don't need answers to those questions.<br />
<br />
On this day all we need do is remember that he gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. Him and many, many more that we know little of.<br />
<br />
It is our duty now to remember what they stood for.<br />
<br />
What they all believed in and died for.<br />
<br />
Our freedom.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><b>"I DO NOT KNOW YOUR NAME"</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">I do not know your name, but I know you died</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">I do not know from where you came, but I know you died</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">Your uniform, branch of service, it matters not to me</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">Whether Volunteer or Conscript, or how it came to be</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">That politicians' failures, or some power-mad ambition</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">Brought you too soon to your death, in the name of any nation</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">You saw, you felt, you knew full well, as friend and foe were taken</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">By bloody death, that your life too, was forfeit and forsaken</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">Yet on you went and fought and died, in your close and private hell</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">For Mate or Pal or Regiment and memories never to tell</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">It was for each other, through shot and shell, the madness you endured</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">Side by side, through wound and pain, and comradeship assured</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">No family ties, or bloodline link, could match that bond of friend</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">Who shared the horror and kept on going, at last until the end</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">We cannot know, we were not there, it's beyond our comprehension</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">To know the toll that battle brings, of resolute intention</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">To carry on, day by day, for all you loved and hoped for</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">To live in peace a happy life, away from bloody war</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">For far too many, no long life ahead, free of struggle and pain and the gun</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">And we must remember the price that was paid, by each and every one</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">Regardless of views, opinions aside, no matter how each of us sees it</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">They were there and I cannot forget, even though I did not live it</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">I do not know your name, but I know you died</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">I do not know from where you came, but I know you died.</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><span style="line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">Kenny Martin</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.799999237060547px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs20/f/2007/295/7/4/Remembrance_Day___Poppy_Day_by_daliscar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs20/f/2007/295/7/4/Remembrance_Day___Poppy_Day_by_daliscar.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://daliscar.deviantart.com/art/Remembrance-Day-Poppy-Day-67984839" target="_blank">Daliscar</a></td></tr>
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<br />Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-39802028394424726292012-11-03T08:21:00.000-06:002012-11-03T08:21:23.837-06:00Alberta Political Quiz<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Just for fun.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Who made this statement?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">".....the Alberta Alliance is a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">completely separate entity from the Wildrose Party..."</span></b></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">For bonus points, is the statement true or false?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: white;">.</span></span>Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-64280099229779497082012-10-30T09:26:00.000-06:002012-10-30T22:40:30.444-06:00PC Fundraising Above Scrutiny?I missed listening to the Alberta Question Period on Monday, but have since read the <a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/Documents/isysquery/960d1e4b-3457-4e82-a493-aadfb508fe4e/1/doc/" target="_blank">Hansard</a>.<br />
<br />
After this exchange:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Political Party Financial Contributions</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><u>Ms Smith</u>: Turning to the business of the day, Mr. Speaker,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Alberta's reputation has been damaged. Our election financing</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">process looks like it's been broken by abuse. We have asked the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Chief Electoral Officer to investigate the enormous and potentially</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">illegal contribution from a single source to the government party.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">But even if the contribution is technically legal through a loophole</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">in the existing law, it means the law is deeply flawed. When will</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">the government fix it?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><u>The Speaker:</u> Did you wish to direct that question to anyone in</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">particular?The hon. President of Treasury Board.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><u>Mr. Horner:</u> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, the Chief</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Electoral Officer is an officer of this Legislative Assembly, and</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">we respect that on this side of the House a great deal. We believe</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">that he is discharging his duties under the legislation that he has in</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">front of him, and he's doing a good job doing that. Of course, the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">party opposite doesn't really want to talk about its own history in</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">this regard in terms of that sort of thing. Perhaps in the 2004</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">election campaign, when one individual bankrolled 75 per cent of</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">their entire political contributions for that campaign, one must</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">wonder . . .</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><u>Mr. Anderson:</u> Point of order, Mr. Speaker.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><u>The Speaker:</u> A point of order has been noted from the Member</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">for Airdrie.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The hon. Leader of the Opposition for her first supplemental.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><u>Ms Smith:</u> I look forward to the hon. Member for Airdrie</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">correcting the record.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Continuing on, Mr. Speaker, given that the government's vague</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">answers and insistence that everything is okay have done nothing</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">to restore the public's confidence, surely the Premier must agree</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">that the shell game that is damaging our public's trust has no place</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">in our democracy.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">278 Alberta Hansard October 29, 2012</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><u>Mr. Horner:</u> Again, Mr. Speaker, one talks about shell games</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">across the way. This party has followed all of the rules that are in</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">place. We will co-operate with the Chief Electoral Officer on this</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">matter to a T. But, again, somewhat hypocritical of the party</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">across the way when in the 2007 by-election the same individual</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">who bankrolled 75 per cent of their 2004 election campaign </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">bankrolled 99.7 per cent of that party's contributions. Incredible.</span></blockquote>
<br />
It prompted a number of Wildrose supporters to tweet things like "<i>the #wrp</i> (Wildrose) <i>didn't exist in 2004</i>" or "<i>Doug Horner needs to bone up on his Alberta political history #wrp not a party until Jan 2008</i>"<br />
<br />
And from Wildrose<a href="https://twitter.com/RAndersonMLA" target="_blank"> MLA Rob Anderson</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"#wrp is diff legal entity than Alliance" and "Katz can donate to whomever he wants but not if it is illegal. Nobody has donated 400G to the Wildrose Party-that is incorrect."</blockquote>
<br />
Unfortunately in this case I'm going to have to say the unthinkable - the PC's are correct. The Wildrose and their predecessor the Alberta Alliance are indeed one and the same. Why that is so, is explained in full in <a href="http://beforethebloom.com/" target="_blank">Chapter 6</a>, if I recall correctly. And yes there were very large donations from the Thorsteinson family. (Mind you they were over several years)<br />
<br />
The multiple donations of $30,000.00 from the Thorsteinson's (2004-2008) and the ones from Katz Group, family and business associates can be seen as very similar situations.<br />
<br />
There is some key differences that everyone seems to overlooking:<br />
<br />
One case the investigation was started based on a written request; the other, written requests seemed to either have been ignored or no action is being taken.<br />
<br />
One case were <b>several </b>cheques from many individuals and businesses; the other is reportedly <b>one </b>cheque for up as many as 10 different individuals and business entities.<br />
<br />
One case Elections Alberta requested (and got) RCMP involvement (via the Solicitor General) so they could compel donors (those who got the receipts) to provide<b> PROOF</b> it was in fact their money they contributed. <a href="http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=E02.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779730315" target="_blank"> (Section 34(1) of Election Finance Act.)</a> ; the other appears will never even get that far.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It is absolutely appalling that the PC's of today won't open their books to the scrutiny that they expected, they asked for and they received from the Alberta Alliance. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Update: Oct. 30, 10:30 PM</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 39px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/10/30/edmonton-chief-electoral-officer-probe-katz-tory-donations.html" target="_blank">Chief electoral officer to probe Katz donations to PCs</a></span></span></h1>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Alberta's chief electoral officer is launching an investigation into donations made to the Progressive Conservative party by the owner of the Edmonton Oilers, Daryl Katz.<br />"The allegations are that the thresholds of $30,000 have been exceeded by one individual and the election filings that we've received in our office from the political parties indicate that those contributions were receipted for individuals associated with this one person," said Elections Alberta spokesman Drew Westwater.<br />"We've determined that there's enough issues and concerns around the source of the donations that have been made to the party that we will launch an investigation and look into the facts of the matter to see if the allegations are true or not."</blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
Click on link to read entire article. </div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-881767472264380262012-10-26T19:44:00.000-06:002012-11-01T08:37:08.546-06:00Herding Katz; The $130,000.00 Question<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">This week Elections Alberta publicized election financials for all parties from this year's election. Since then the top story
has been the amount of money donated by the Katz Group, the family and
associates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Specifically:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Katz Group $ 30,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-CA">Family members<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Daryl Katz $ 30,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Renee Katz $ 30,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Ida Katz $ 30,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Barry Katz $ 30,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-CA">Katz Associates Individually or as a
Professional Corp<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">J Robert Black Professional Corp. $ 25,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">James Low and Associates Inc. $ 25,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Karvellas (Q.C.), John $ 25,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Karvellas Consulting Inc. $ 25,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Marcaccio, Paul T. $ 25,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Paul T. Marcaccio Professional Corp. $
25,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Total: $ 300,000.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Those names come from this <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/oilers-owner-katz-family-employees-donated-300000-to-alberta-pcs/article4647260/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail article</a> and the figures from the <a href="http://efpublic.elections.ab.ca/afEFUploadView.cfm?&ACID=10006" target="_blank">Elections Alberta report.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The Globe article states:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><i>But a source
close to the campaign told The Globe and Mail that Mr. Katz provided a cheque
for $430,000 to the PCs, a donation that was broken up into smaller pieces.</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">If such a cheque
existed, what happened to the remaining $130,000.00? Was it returned to Katz
Group? Was it "allocated" to other donors?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Apparently this donation came in the
latter part of the election; which would explain why the Katz name didn't show
up on the <a href="http://www.votepc.ca/public/data/documents/ContribParty2012FINALApl202012pdf.pdf" target="_blank">list the PC's released.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I compared that list to the one filed with
their final financials, looking for other large donors that didn't show up on
the first list. Those include:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">$ 25,000.00 Brad Gilewich Professional Corp</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">$ 25,000.00 Gilewich, Brad</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">$ 20,000.00 Durstling Family Trust</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">$ 20,000.00 Scott Family Trust</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">$ 30,000.00 Candor Investments </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">$ 25,000.00 SPC Investments Ltd</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Now they add up to more than $ 130,000.00
but it gave me a starting point to see if I could find any connection to
the Katz Group. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><u>Brad Gilewich Professional Corp and Brad
Gilewich:</u> According to<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/brad-gilewich/25/536/b3b" target="_blank"> LinkedIn</a> Brad is
a Partner with Price Waterhouse Coopers. Given PWC are the <a href="http://investdb.theglobeandmail.com/invest/investSQL/gx.company_prof?company_id=195286" target="_blank">auditors for Katz Group</a> I highly doubt there would be anything untoward going on here.
Right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><u>Durstling Family Trust:</u> Simple Google
search reveals <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/business/realestate/articles/2012/01/19/20120119done-deals.html" target="_blank">Darren Durstling as one of the trustees</a>. </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 11pt;">Bradley S.R. Clough,
along with <u>Darren Durstling and Laurel Durstling, as trustees of the Durstling
Family Trust, </u>paid cash (</span><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 11pt;">$1,856,630</span></b></i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>)
for a 6,180-square-foot home with pool on the north side of Mummy Mountain Park
in Paradise Valley. Darren Durstling is vice president of development and one
of three principals of <u>WAM Development Group of Edmonton, Aberta. </u></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></blockquote>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 8.15pt; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WAM Development Group, why does that sound
familiar? Oh, they too were a large
contributor to the PC's this election in the amount of $ 25,000.00. Ironically enough they were also in the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/02/03/edmonton-katz-wam-arena-lands.html" target="_blank">news earlier this year</a></span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>The Katz Group will work with Edmonton-based
WAM Development Group to develop the lands adjacent to the proposed site of the
downtown arena, the Oilers owner announced Friday.</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><u>Scott Family Trust: </u>Can't seem to find
anything on this. Anything that even comes close isn't located in Alberta. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><u>Candor Investments:</u> Apparently are located
in Calgary, but they don't have a website. Nor could I find any information on
the principals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><u>SPC Investments Ltd:</u> I could only find one
document or reference to this exact name and it’s on a list of businesses whose
corporate registrations had been <a href="http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/gazette/2003/text/0315_i.cfm" target="_blank">cancelled in 2003</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">People and companies writing individual
cheques, within election limits isn’t an issue. Unfortunately a company or an
individual can also give money to family, friends, co-workers, etc. and they in
turn can give it as a donation in their own name. Again nothing wrong with
this, so long as they have reported the income as required by CRA given their
individual situation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">However, what the Globe report was that it
was “one” cheque. Which begs the question; were all the funds truly from those
who ultimately received the tax receipts?
If not – that’s fraud. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Again from the Globe article (referencing the Election Finance Act):</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Section
34 states that parties cannot “solicit or knowingly accept any contribution”
that doesn’t actually come from the contributor’s pocket.</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">If it turns out to be one cheque I already know
what Premier Redford’s response is going to be. </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i>“We have previously accepted
cheques from spouses and allocated donations to both of them. We handled this
situation the same way; attributing the donations to those they has said gave
them money. The exchange of funds between those people or organizations is out
of our hands. We can’t be held responsible for things we don’t know about.” </i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">That’s the gist of it, they will feign
ignorance and hope that we will all say <i>“Oh, okay you are so innocent and got
hoodwinked by the big businessmen.” </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">When a party, constituency association or a
candidate gets a cheque that exceeds the limits it is their responsibility to
return the cheque, explain the limitations and advise them they cannot give
money on “behalf” of someone else. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Let’s look at this from the perspective of
a donor not familiar with the laws.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Joe Blow says to his friends: “I’ve had a
successful year and I want to share that with you. I’m going to make a large
donation to my favorite political party and some will be on your behalf."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Friend: “Oh, that’s great Joe. Thank you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Joe sends off the big cheque only to have
it returned with an explanation of limitations and rules. Now ordinary, honest Joe citizen will accept
that and write a new cheque contributing only what he is legally allowed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">But we also have Joe citizens who are not
so honest or ones that have been “coached” by not so honest political
parties. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Those Joe’s go back to their
friends and say “You know in order to make this work you have to write the
cheque.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Friend: “But I don’t have that kind of
money!!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Not so honest Joe: “No problem, I will give
it to you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">His honest friends will realize at that
point there will be a need to explain where the money came from and there will
be tax ramifications; they will tell him to take a hike. Others may not think that far ahead or not care and
partake in the scheme. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">As far as the multiple Katz donations from family and work associates, no one knows what happened
except for those inside the PC Party. Premier Redford points to the financial
report and says it’s all open and transparent. Well, no it isn’t. Until we see
the paper trail that only the PC’s have access to we will not know exactly what
transpired. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: blue;"><u>Saturday, Oct. 27 @ 1:30 PM</u></span></h4>
<span lang="EN-CA">Discovered another donor who has done business directly with Mr. Katz. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA"></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/995555/alberta-jet-partnership-business-to-be-introduced" target="_blank"><span class="xn-location" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">EDMONTON</span>, <span class="xn-chron" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">June 19, 2012</span> /CNW/ - Two new chapters in the Alberta aviation story will be turned <span class="xn-chron" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">June 20</span>, with the official introduction of a Canadian aircraft-ownership innovation and a newly constructed <span class="xn-money" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">$26 million</span>, four-bay hangar and office complex at the <span class="xn-location" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Edmonton</span> International Airport.</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/995555/alberta-jet-partnership-business-to-be-introduced" target="_blank">Aurora Jet Partners is the innovation. It has been created by Morningstar Partners of <span class="xn-location" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Edmonton</span> and Opus Aviation of<span class="xn-location" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Vancouver</span>, companies founded and operated by <span class="xn-person" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Don Wheaton</span>, <span class="xn-person" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Kim Ward</span>, <span class="xn-person" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Daryl Katz</span> and The Ledcor Group.</a></span></blockquote>
<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/995555/alberta-jet-partnership-business-to-be-introduced" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span lang="EN-CA">Don Wheaton Ltd. contributed $ 25,000.00 to the PC party.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA">It should be noted that some of these contributors also donated to other political parties in smaller amounts.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span><span lang="EN-CA"><b>Additionally, their ties to the Katz Group don't necessarily mean that they have anything to do with what is surely going to turn into an investigation by Elections Alberta. </b></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Katz+worried+about+Wildrose+party+arena+source+says/7455968/story.html#ixzz2AWwRjHZ3" target="_blank">Elections Alberta spokesman Drew Westwater said his office will “<span style="color: red;">probably</span>” launch an investigation into the April election campaign donations made to the PC party by Katz, his family and associates.</a></span></span></span></blockquote>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Update Thursday, Nov 1</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Globe and Mail today has confirmed many of the links to Katz that I've mentioned in this blog entry.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/all-of-430000-donation-to-alberta-pcs-now-linked-to-katz-associates/article4808906/" target="_blank">All of $430,000 donation to Alberta PC's now linked to Katz associates.</a></b></div>
<div>
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-78135000594989868162012-10-18T18:03:00.000-06:002012-10-18T18:03:18.250-06:00Rogers Lack of Customer ServiceThis is an actual chat log from Rogers. After his last message, the box for me to type messages in closed.<br /><br />This might be funny if it weren't a true story.<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrQ9BoFSuqd75WCiAHF12abqDz9kiGrQ_QiILYcnb8YgoXL-MGouigXztPhTIipzXD9hPAIxDa6sm-mU4Hx3zAedXNYat6PwaWZ68Gz-14rd7emOCP4wPJrhro8TVQy16nKQiJIVZauGx/s1600/Rogers+-+Live+Chat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrQ9BoFSuqd75WCiAHF12abqDz9kiGrQ_QiILYcnb8YgoXL-MGouigXztPhTIipzXD9hPAIxDa6sm-mU4Hx3zAedXNYat6PwaWZ68Gz-14rd7emOCP4wPJrhro8TVQy16nKQiJIVZauGx/s320/Rogers+-+Live+Chat.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can click on image to enlarge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-47033380053143648412012-09-26T10:07:00.000-06:002012-09-26T19:19:33.652-06:00Am I Expecting Too Much?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After my previous blog posting, I had hoped not to blog
again about the Wildrose Party or at least not in a critical fashion. I've
registered for the AGM, booked our hotel room and booked a dog sitter. Despite
some misgivings I do believe it's more important than ever to attend. We won't
be passing any policy or constitutional amendments, however we will be electing
a new provincial board and the importance of that can't be ignored.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my previous post I mentioned that I felt the party was
"off" on their dates for the deadline for nominations. Specifically
the constitution says it is 65 days prior to the AGM. By my calculations that date would be September
19; yet the party had a deadline of September 21. In that same post Paul Collins (President of
the Party) left a comment referring to (presumably) me as immature and a
"clown". He also suggested
that I should pick up the phone. I did take him up on this advice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I didn't have a phone number for Paul, I called
Jonathon Wescott, Executive Director; who falls under the direct supervision of
the Board and of course also communicates back to the board. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My questions for Jonathon were simply; "Why the mix up
on the dates?" And; "If they were sticking to the 21st deadline was
it going to leave them enough time to meet the next deadline?" (That being notice to members of the names of
those running for the board positions.) Jonathon and I played telephone tag for a few
days and my last attempt was on a Thursday, I was advised he had returned to
Edmonton and would call me back the following week. The call never came and the deadline came and went. My initial
question went unanswered and appears my second question has
now been answered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For reference (emphasis is mine), from our constitution:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
6.8<br />
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">At least <b>sixty (60) days written notice</b> of the
holding of any General Meeting shall be sent to all members of the Party who
have been members in good standing of the Party for at least fourteen (14) days
before the date of such notice. <b>Notice
may be given by post</b> or it may consist of transmitting the information of
such notice by using appropriate <b>telephonic</b>
and <b>or electronic mail to the member’s
appropriate information of record and <u>simultaneously posting the information on
the Party’s website.</u></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span>And 7.2<br />
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Not less
than ninety (90) days prior to any Annual General Meeting of the Party, the
Executive Committee shall create the Nominating Committee, consisting of three
(3) members. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for
the officer positions to be filled at the Annual General Meeting. Candidates
for officer positions and all officers must be members in good standing of the
Party. <b>The Nominating Committee shall
report to the Executive Committee prior to the notice of the Annual General
Meeting being sent to all members, and<u> such report shall be included in the
notice of the Annual General Meeting.</u> Nominations may also be made by any
member up to sixty-five (65) days prior to the date of the Annual General
Meeting, and <u>such nominations shall also be included in the notice of the
Annual General Meeting.</u></b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you can see the notice can take three forms; regular post,
email and website. And it must include the nominations. (In this particular case telephonic likely wouldn't be
considered due to the mass amount of information to be conveyed.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 60 days prior to AGM was this past Monday (Sept 24); in my opinion by extending the nomination deadline from Wednesday, Sept 19 to Friday,
Sept 21 they really left office staff under the gun to get the proper notice
pulled together for Monday the 24th. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There indeed was an email notice from the party on Monday,
however it didn't include any report from the nominating committee or even the
names of those running for the various positions. I've also been watching the party website for
updates with a list of names and still nothing has appeared. That leaves
regular post (snail mail), unfortunately I've learned through someone who was
in contact with the office yesterday that the mailer at best "might"
be ready to go out today (Wednesday) - rendering it least two full days late. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me be crystal clear here, I don't believe this is any
fault of the staff or the appointed Nominating Committee. The failures here
fall squarely in the lap of the Executive Board and the Executive Director. The
Board didn't do it's due diligence of checking the dates. The Executive
Director also didn't verify or if he did, he failed to bring it to the boards'
attention. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An oversight like this may seem minor to some, but if we blatantly
ignore our constitution why do we have one?
What else has been or will be ignored? If the constitution isn't working
then we need to change it accordingly and following the correct procedure to
make those changes. The board is elected
with the expectation they will uphold the constitution, not ignore or abuse it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What this has really impacted is the democratic process. A
number of people are running for the various positions and our members don't
even know it!! Each day that passes is to the advantage of the incumbents who
are free to communicate to members via their current role. Leaving the
challengers as unknowns. The
constitution allows for 60 days notice of this information for a reason - - for
members have time to educate themselves on all the individuals running. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband (Cory) feared the notice was going to be
delayed and to his credit he took it upon himself to gather the information on
who might be running. So while you won't
find a list of candidates on the Party website, <a href="http://www.corymorgan.com/?page_id=1328" target="_blank">you can find it on Cory's blog.</a> The names in italics are rumored only at this point. The others have confirmed directly with him.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Update</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mere hours after my blog post gets published, the Party has now posted the list of those who are running for the various positions.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I called the office and asked if a mailer has gone out. No, it has not. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I asked if it would be going out today? No, there is no notice scheduled to be mailed today.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Did they know when it would be going out? No, they would have to check with Jonathon Wescott if there was even going to be one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
HUH?? Our constitution is pretty clear about the means of notice. Not every member has email, not every member uses the internet. Why no mailer? Are we short on funds? Short on organizational skills? Neither scenario allow the Executive Director or the Provincial Board to overstep and ignore the constitution.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If funding is the issue, I can see perhaps tailoring the mailing to go only to those who wouldn't get the email notice. Realistically though you should mail all members, even expired ones, to get them reengaged. </div>
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Evening Update</h3>
</div>
<div>
At 5:20 PM I received an email from the Party which included the link to the list nominees that they now have online. Makes one wonder if my blog might have prompted this finally going out. Perhaps there is hope for an actual mail-out as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582193149716861249.post-67868987117278896242012-09-10T06:00:00.000-06:002012-09-11T12:45:36.772-06:00Wildrose; I'm Calling Your BluffThose who know my husband Cory from his online presence of his <a href="http://www.corymorgan.com/" target="_blank">Ranting and Raving</a> blog, <a href="https://twitter.com/CoryBMorgan/" target="_blank">Twitter </a>and the occasional appearance on <a href="http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/1555665073001" target="_blank">Sun News Network</a>; often are surprised or remark to me, "You're married to that guy?" <br />
<br />
Our real life friends of course get to see our relationship up close and witness how much we can disagree on things from politics to poker. Without a doubt, it can be challenging at times when we are on different sides of an issue. However it's never boring and that is one thing he promised me; life with him would never be boring.<br />
<br />
So a few weeks ago, when he decided he was going to speak out and take the Wildrose Party to task on a few things; I had one of those "oh crap" moments. Both of us have been closely tied to the Party, even before it became the Wildrose. In fact this past summer was the first summer since 2005 that neither of us were sitting on the Provincial Executive Board.<br />
<br />
We have both dedicated countless hours; held our tongues (and noses) through a lot of goings-on within the party. The Party and its' success mean a LOT to us and we truly believe it's founding principles can guide Alberta to a better future. So why would either of us be critical or call into question our own party - - simple, you need to speak up for what you believe in. You need to call people out when they have gone too far and are going the wrong direction.<br />
<br />
In July Cory started to shed light on some of the concerns. Concerns that likely others shared, but were either unwilling or had no way of vocalizing. Concerns like; <a href="http://www.corymorgan.com/?p=1228" target="_blank">the Party building trust</a>, or confronting the confusion over the <a href="http://www.corymorgan.com/?p=1232" target="_blank">date for the Party AGM</a>, and digging up the fact that the <a href="http://www.corymorgan.com/?p=1244" target="_blank">current Executive barely met</a> since being elected in June 2011 and during an election year. Others started to question his motives and he<a href="http://www.corymorgan.com/?p=1252" target="_blank"> addressed that</a>.<br />
<br />
By the end of August he called them out once again on <a href="http://www.corymorgan.com/?p=1274" target="_blank">the date of the AGM</a>, cobbling together information garnered from random Twitter messages, because nothing had been released officially on the Party website. Low and behold the next day (and after 5 weeks of prodding) the Party sent out an email and dialed all the members regarding the upcoming AGM. When we returned from an extra long, long-weekend Cory broke the <a href="http://www.corymorgan.com/?p=1282" target="_blank">bad news</a> part of the AGM details. Here is an excerpt, to save you some reading and save me typing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
On the party website is a link to an <a href="http://www.wildrose.ca/media/2012/08/Executive-Committee-Nomination-Application1.pdf" target="_blank">application form for executive positions</a>. This is a very deep and intensive application form and it demands right in the beginning that it be filled out completely. Sorry folks, the party is in no place to make such demands. <b>As per the constitution the applicant only needs to demonstrate that they are a member in good standing of the party.</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now at the bottom of the form it demands that applicants sign off their party rights to the nominating committee (whoever they are) who may refuse the application for any reason that they may see fit. Sorry folks but that is simply horseshit on many levels.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b><span style="color: red;">“1. Acknowledge and agree that the AGM Nominating Committee has the authority to disallow my candidacy on any grounds it sees fit, and whose decision shall be final and binding and not further appealed or challenged.”</span></b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So candidates are expected to sign off authority to an un-named and appointed committee who may reject their application for any reason that fits their fancy. Think about that.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>If this application is to be believed, authority within the party rests with an appointed committee as opposed to the membership as the constitution states.</b></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Around this same time I decided to get involved. Something neither of us normally do, we tend to let each other go off and do their own thing.<br />
<br />
I prefer going to the source for information and thoroughly enjoy research and fitting pieces of a puzzle together. This is one area where Cory and I differ; he can be seen as browbeating at times, I like a more methodical approach.<br />
<br />
First I emailed Jeff Trynchy at Party head office (he is always very helpful) and asked him who was on the Nominating Committee. Keep in mind that in 2011 this committee had their names published on the party website well before the deadline to apply to be a candidate.<br />
<br />
The timing of appointing this committee is crucial. It <b>must </b>be done at <b>least </b>90 days prior to the AGM (as per our constitution). This means they had to have been appointed by August 23rd. However earlier is by far more preferable given they are tasked with ensuring there are candidates to run for all 16 positions. At 65 days prior to the AGM they must report to the Executive Committee all the names of nominees. As you can see if they leave appointing of the committee until 90 days, that only gives the committee 25 days to find people, to communicate to the constituencies and the members at large.<br />
<br />
More than a week past I hadn't received a reply from Jeff (this is unusual). I then forwarded the same email to Paul Collins (President) and Jonathon Wescott (our new Executive Director) and re-asked who was on the committee and added a question about the crazy clause. I pointed out that our Leader, Danielle Smith had <a href="https://twitter.com/Skeetman007/status/244315193436418049" target="_blank">publicly stated</a> that this concern should be addressed by the Executive.<br />
<br />
When I didn't get a reply from either of them, I then sent an email to the <b>entire </b>board. I also sent it to a group email address for all of the Constituency Association Presidents. To my surprise I got this automated reply: <i>"Your email is being held until the list moderator can review it for
approval."</i> I understand it's meant to deter spam and frivolous emails, but it didn't deter my inner-bulldog (lol), as I set about sending it to every public CA address.<br />
<br />
THANKFULLY, a board member <b>did</b> reply early Sunday and gave me the names of individuals that they believed to be on the committee. Specifically; Rob Ladoucer (VP of Policy), Doug Main and David Chatters. Since then I've received three more confirmations of these names, though one was an anonymous email.<br />
<br />
I <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaanikka/status/244913939627003906" target="_blank">asked Rob</a> on Twitter to confirm, so far I haven't heard from him. He would have also received my email.<br />
<br />
I've previously corresponded with Doug Main, so I emailed him. The exchange went as follows:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">On 9/9/2012 8:52 AM, Jane Morgan wrote:<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Hi Doug,<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">I understand that you may be on the Wildrose Nominating
Committee for the upcoming AGM.<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Can you verify this? If so, I have a couple of questions for
you.<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman , serif","serif";">Thanks,</span></i><u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman , serif","serif";">JaneMorgan</span></i><u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman , serif","serif";"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>From</b>: Doug Main </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[personal email address removed]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sent</b><span style="color: red; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: Sunday, September 09, 2012 10:05 AM</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Yes.</span><u5:p></u5:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<u5:p></u5:p><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">On 9/9/2012 10:26 AM, Jane Morgan wrote:<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Thank you for the quick
response Doug. Last year the party had released the names on the committee well
before the AGM, this year it seems a bit challenging to find this information.<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I will preface my questions
with the fact that I’m not personally seeking a position.<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Who else is on the committee
and when were you appointed?<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I noticed (and others have as
well) that there are some stipulations added to the application form.
Specifically:<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1.) Acknowledge and agree that the AGM Nominating
Committee has the authority to disallow my candidacy on any grounds it sees
fit, and whose decision shall be final and binding and not further appealed or
challenged.</span></i><u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Did the committee or the Provincial Board come up with this
clause? Isn’t this counter to our grassroots? <u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">What was the intent in having applicants agree to this?<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">And lastly, are there other ways to get your name on the
ballot without going through the application process?<u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Thanks,</i><u5:p></u5:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Jane</span></i><u5:p></u5:p></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>From</b>: Doug Main [personal email address removed]<br /><b>Sent</b>: Sunday, September 09, 2012 10:45 AM</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: red;">Hi Jane...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br />
I'm sorry I can't answer any of your questions since I was only recently asked
if my name could be put forward for this committee and we haven't had any
meetings or discussions yet. Perhaps see Jeff Trynchy for your answers.<br />
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D</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">On
9/9/2012 12:32 PM, Jane Morgan wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: blue;">Actually I asked Jeff already a couple of weeks ago, he
didn’t have any answers.<u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">That was Aug 29<sup>th</sup>,
so maybe you hadn’t been approached yet.<u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">So you don’t know who else is
on the committee or who might call a meeting?<u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Thanks,</span></i></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><u5:p></u5:p>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Jane</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">From:</span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Doug Main [mailto:doug.main@wildrose.ca] <br />
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, September 09, 2012 12:40 PM</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Sorry. I was approached around the same time, but have no
other info</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I didn't have David Chatters email, but I was able to find his phone number and I called him Sunday evening.</div>
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I confirmed he is on the committee. I asked him if he could verify the clause <i>"...committee has the authority to disallow my candidacy on any grounds it sees fit".</i></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Me: Can you tell me why the committee put that stipulation in there?</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Mr Chatters: No. I don’t, actually….. because I was asked to sit on the
committee and I said I would. And the committee hasn't even met to go over the
rules or anything. So I really don’t know who drafted that. Or why they would.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Me: It's very disconcerting to me because it does go on to say the decision would be final and binding. And that you wouldn't be able to appeal or challenge it. As I understand it the committee is made up of three people, is that correct? </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Mr. Chatters: Yeah, that's what I understand as well. I don't ... I assume that the current board and the Executive Director put in place those rules. I don't know, it sounds kind of high-handed me. I don't know why they would have to put something like that in. It doesn't make any sense to me and everything should be appeal-able. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Me: Right. And our constitution when it speaks to running for an Executive position it says you need to be a member in good standing. And it doesn't really say much more than that. But this makes is sound like this committee, these three people have the ability to prevent someone from potentially running. And really, in my eyes, I mean it should be up to the members to decide.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Mr. Chatters: Yeah, I would think so......I, I don't know ..... I know that Collins the former, or the current President ........ he's not running again so he is sitting on it and I'm sitting on it. And I think the other one is Rob Ladouceur; who is policy director and is not running again. I think if you have questions like that you should perhaps talk to the Executive Director. At least until the committee has a meeting and has a chance to discuss these things. </span></div>
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<i>Mr. Chatters went on to say that he was appointed about a month and a half ago and only communication he has had since is an email he got about three weeks ago. In it he was advised he would be receiving applications by mail to review. So far he hasn't gotten anything. He said at this point even if he did get them, he's not sure how he would review them without knowing the rules.</i> </div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Mr. Chatters: So I'm pretty much in the dark, like you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Me: I have sent an email to the Executive Director, but I haven't gotten a reply as yet. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Mr. Chatters: I'm expecting to get something and I'm expecting the committee will have at least a conference call meeting to go over the rules and what the criteria are and why would we object to someone running. You know all of those things we should go over it as a committee. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Me: That's right.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Mr. Chatters: I don't know where these rules came from. They sound a little dictatorial to me for a grassroots, democratic, party.</span></div>
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At this point I do want to be very clear; Doug Main and David Chatters are both very well respected in political circles and beyond. They have both served on committees with the Wildrose Party previously and Doug in other capacities as well. I have never had any concerns with respect to either of them.<br />
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Clearly neither of them had anything to do with writing the clauses on the application form. I also doubt they were provided with much information as to what is entailed on this committee. Things such as the timelines. By my calculations 65 days prior to the AGM lands on September 18 or 19 depending if you count the Friday of the AGM; not September 21 as stated on the Wildrose application form. That gives them a mere ten days. Then the countdown starts to get notice to members of who is running, which needs to be post-marked by September 24 (60 day mark).<br />
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However there are bigger questions than logistics surrounding this issue.<br />
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Who wrote that clause? Was it the Executive Director, the board, a staff member?<br />
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If it was staff or the ED, did the board agree to it?<br />
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If they didn't approve it, how did it get as far as it has?<br />
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It's in writing and posted on the website, so <b><u>clearly appears to be a party sanctioned document that is in direct violation of our constitution. </u></b><br />
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Another aspect of this that doesn't sit well with me is current board members being on the nomination committee. We are a party of 25 K + members and we can't find three members completely removed from the executive??!!!<br />
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Some will say it's not that big of a deal if neither Rob Ladouceur or Paul Collins are running again. Do we know that for sure? Rob <b>very </b>recently started a brand new blog with a subtitle "Wildrose VP Policy's Blog" Why would someone do that 15 months after they were elected to the role and they know they only have less than 90 days left?<br />
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I had heard Paul Collins actually did step down in the summer and they had even found a replacement, but someone in caucus didn't like the replacement and convinced Paul to stay on. I believe this rumor is supported by the fact that when David Chatters was contacted a month and a half ago he was told Paul had stepped down. Thus him thinking the three committee members are Collins, Ladouceur and himself. Whereas we have Doug Main who, in his words, "was only recently asked" to be on the committee.<br />
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I think the committee was in place sometime in July with Collins, Ladouceur and Chatters. Then Collins <strike>is convinced to stay on</strike> has a change of heart (when, we don't know), his spot is then filled (recently) by Doug Main.<br />
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Normally I wouldn't purposely draw negative attention to the Wildrose. However the Party we joined, the Party we helped build, the Party we believe in; wouldn't normally so publicly and blatantly, violate our member endorsed constitution.<br />
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Wildrose; I'm calling your bluff. Pull that application in its' entirety. It's a disgrace to what we stand for, what we built and what we dream of for our province.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;">
Update Monday, Sept 10, 1:15 PM</span></h4>
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I have now heard back from both Paul Collins and Jonathon Wescott. Unfortunately their answers were incomplete and generated further questions on my part. Both promised to get back to me later today with additional information.</div>
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I've also had an email exchange with Rob Ladouceur, confirming he is on the committee. He also confirmed the EC passed a motion regarding the nominating committee and related clauses. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Quote from Rob:<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white;">This year's application uses strong language partly because the motion from the EC is also stronger in language."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He goes on to say;<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The motion was specific in saying that disqualification can only happen if someone could damage the party's reputation."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"if someone "<b><i><u>could</u></i></b>" damage the party's reputation". Could. May. Might. Perhaps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Really? How does one determine that? Is it someone with a criminal record? Is it a member who is openly critical of the party? Is it someone who wears different colored socks?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is this committee expected to be able to predict the future? To predict the future, specific actions of a person from a review of a written application?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We already have mechanisms in place to deal with individuals when they "actually" damage the party's reputation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you ask me the party's reputation has <b><u>already </u></b>been damaged by a board that is violating our constitution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No committee "could" have seen that coming 15 months ago <span style="font-size: large;">!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: lime;">Update Monday, Sept 10, 5:15 PM</span></span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white;">As mentioned previously, both Jonathon and Paul agreed to get back to me later today. I have received an email from Jonathon and given the contents, I suspect I won't hear any further from Paul today.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Quote Jonathon Wescott: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Ms. Morgan,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">By way of short update, I have a meeting
scheduled to receive instructions and discuss your email, but it is later this
evening, therefore, if I am not back to you this evening, it will be tomorrow
am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Yours truly,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: lime;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am of course very hopeful that common sense (IE: follow our constitution) will prevail at this meeting. And that the offensive clause on the application will be removed<i>. </i>Or better yet, the entire document; all they need to know is if the person is a member in good standing. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<h4>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Update Tuesday, Sept 11, 12:15 PM</span></span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's now just past noon and no word from Jonathon Wescott; however it has been brought to my attention that the clause on the application form has been changed. Also there is a <a href="http://www.wildrose.ca/agm/nominations/" target="_blank">memo from the Nomination Committee</a> as a result of their first meeting of last evening.<br /><br />It's excellent that there has <u>finally </u>been action on this. I am particularly pleased that they have outlined the second way to nominated and provided a form for convenience. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It would appear there is still some confusion over the cutoff date. As I previously mentioned, 65 days prior to AGM falls on September 19, not the 21st. as indicated on the Wildrose website. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am looking forward to getting a response from Paul Collins, current President of the Wildrose Party; to clarify his comment left on this blog earlier today. (See below).</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.</i></span></span></div>
Jane Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11815049977368737707noreply@blogger.com20