This issue contains:

• A message from EDA president, Marnie Silver
• Photos from our Grey Cup Party with Argonaut Jason Pottinger and John Carmichael, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West
• A calendar of holiday celebrations in St. Paul’s
• A donation form (If you haven’t reached your contribution limit for 2011, now’s the time to do so.)

The newsletter is available here.

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“My idea of a good dinner is, first to have good food, then discuss
good food, and after this good food has been elaborately
discussed, to discuss a good topic” — Winston Churchill

This past weekend, Conservatives from across the country met in Ottawa for the Conservative Convention, 2011. St. Paul’s was represented at the convention with a full contingent of 10 elected delegates. Each day, Sim Brigden, one of our delegates, gave us his impressions of the event. Excerpts from his emails are provided below.

Day One

Minister John Baird opened the speeches. He gave a rousing speech extolling the virtues of our party without getting himself into too much trouble.

Senator Pamela Wallin and Minister Steven Blaney then kicked things off as MCs.

When was the last time you heard a politician talk about conservative values? Jason Kenney gave an impassioned speech focusing on how the Conservative party did not just win a seat in every province or in both Territories. The real story was that Conservatives have increased their vote in a record four elections in a row. Conservatives went from having 20% of the immigrant/New Canadian vote to have over 60%. This made the difference in riding after riding. This was supposed to be Liberal-owned territory. We showed that Conservative values resonate with New Canadians.

Stockwell Day followed with very insightful descriptions of the realities of Conservatism vis-à-vis the debate with the now, true, Socialists. He pointed out that socialist Provinces always lowered the standard and quality of life of those under their jurisdictions. The NDP strategy is to find someone who is suffering and use that one person to say that the whole system is at fault. The problem is that you don’t take care of one person by making everyone suffer.

Since we’ve been in government, Canada was the first country to rush to China, Haiti, and to not support Hamas. At the G8, 20 world leaders made a pledge to reduce their deficits by 2013. This was achieved through Canada’s leadership.

The media: we have freedom of speech and freedom of the media. With great freedom comes great responsibility. The media need to stop the personal attacks. This also goes to reports of our troops’ misbehaviours. These reports were proven time and time again to be false. Media has been lopsided.

11,000 women passed literacy tests in Afghanistan. A further 6,000 children were vaccinated for Polio. These efforts due largely to Canadian troop presence went completely unreported.

The press has a long way to go.

In short, Stockwell Day gave a wonderful and impassioned speech culminating with a protracted standing ovation.

Peter MacKay followed by presenting Minister Day with a flag flown over Khandahar airfield. The evening closed with an introduction of former Candidates and past Tories such as Chuck Strahl.

Day Two

The schedule is packed, PACKED!

Firstly, quotes from our Delegates:

Megan Patterson:

• Important decisions are being made in the policy meetings
• This is a great opportunity to meet people
• The energy level (post election) is still high and will carry over to the provincial election

Benjamin Sharma:

• There has been a lot of passionate debate among friends vis-à-vis constitutional direction
• Economic resolutions were surprisingly good
• Everyone is so happy – a truly positive mood

Richard Tattersall:

• People are in a celebratory mood
• It is an inherently friendly atmosphere: Megan talked to a 70 year old guy from Sask. I met an entrepreneur from Winnipeg
• I talked with Senator di Nino who reminisced about starting life in a house shared by three families
• Chris Alexander, M.P. grew up on Hillsdale (St Paul’s) and went to Oriole Park Public School with me
• Debate over the leadership format – one member – one vote – appears to be being beaten back.

Now, on to my report:

They are all here. I’m sitting with Monte Solberg listening to Preston Manning while looking out of the beautiful new Convention Centre at the Canadian Flag flying over our parliament buildings.

This morning, I ran around between various policy workshops.

There are three major ones:

Economic development

This workshop involved (as do they all) the passing of various motions with regards to economic policy. A lot of weight was focused on the north. Exploration, protection and sovereignty.

Canada’s social fabric

This was pretty light, in comparison to the other tracks. Changes here were focused mostly on Electoral reform, Tax reform/relief and crime – mostly tweaks to the existing policy.

Constitution

This heavy, thick volume of motions encompassed so much that I can’t really do it justice. Suffice to say that, for you policy wonks, it was full of fun and excitement. There were two contentious issues which stuck out:

1. One member, one vote vs. Riding weight. In other words, should Conservatives vote as individuals on internal party policy or should the ridings carry the weight of determinations? The concern is that a group of individuals could take over the direction of the Party without regional representation.
2. Youth Wing: Peter van Loan and others argue that, without the OPCYA, they would never have become involved (Provincially). The counter argument (the stronger one) is that we don’t need our youth to be treated separately.

Later tonight, we will have the Leader’s speech.

Tah-toh from the convention floor for now.

Sim

Day Three

“Our party’s great purpose is nothing less than to prepare our nation to shoulder a bigger load, in a world that will require it of us.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper in last night’s speech.

Great news! I shared a quick breakfast bite with Peter Kent. I thanked him on behalf of St. Paul’s for working so hard to lay the foundation for Maureen’s impressive showing. He was, as always, very gracious and sends his regards to all of you, his friends in St. Paul’s.

I told him that Maureen Harquail had moved the yardsticks even further this go-round. On a similar note, to wrap up last night, I was at the Ottawa Arts Centre for some Tory hoop-lah. While I saw many old friends, it was great to meet many new ones. There was also a photo op with Prime Minister Harper. Upon introducing myself as being from St. Paul’s our Prime Minister re-iterated his disappointment with the result. He is obviously very eager to see blue in our section of the electoral map.

Following all the glad-handing, a large crowd of Tories from across this great land cheered in unison as the Canucks took care of the Boston Bruins. Going into the event and feeling the great energy was one thing. Coming out with yet another feeling of victory really made me feel on top of the world!

We are now in the winding down phase of the Convention. After a presentation on the state of our finances by Conservative Fund Chair Irving Gerstein, the Maple Leaf awards were given out. There were some very touching moments. One candidate ran while his wife fought and lost her battle with cancer. Many other members and party faithful were lauded for their long hours and tireless efforts.

From there, we went on to do the final voting on various resolutions. This was a grand gathering of everyone in the hall. We defeated a very contentious motion to have one member one vote as

opposed to riding by riding votes. This defeat ensures riding equality in the voting process of the Party.

At lunch, I had occasion to chat with Co-MC Pamela Wallin. She was very pleased with how congenial the proceedings were.

One thing that really struck me is this: back when Prime Minister Mulroney won, it was, in a large part, because Canadians were “throwing the Liberal bums out”. This go-round, Canadians elected a Strong Stable National Majority Conservative Government because there were voting us in.

We have earned this victory. We have earned the confidence of Canadians and we have earned the right to govern.

The Convention closed with a quintet of MP’s singing the National Anthem. Everyone dissipated to the four winds as we all went back to our respective ridings.

Senator Linda Frum and Senator Con Di Nino invite all volunteers and supporters in Toronto to join the St. Paul’s team to re-fuel and re-energize for the home stretch. It will also be an opportunity to meet our candidate, Maureen Harquail.

Appetizers will be served.

All volunteers, supporters and friends are welcome. The more the merrier!!

Date: Wednesday, April 20th

Time: 8 pm start, come when you can

Location:

Fionn MacCool’s, 21 St. Clair West
(Yonge and St. Clair)

http://stclair.fionnmaccools.com

RSVP: info@torontocityevents.ca

Fundraiser: $20 donation (not required)

Also hosted by: Deb Lewis, Marnie Silver, Sarah Schroeder

Maureen’s campaign launch began with a bang with the arrival of Jim Flaherty, Canada’s Finance Minister. This was an unprecedented launch for St. Paul’s, with both local and national media coverage. It was standing room only!

In his speech, Flaherty endorsed Maureen’s candidacy. To see a video of his comments click here.

You can also view pictures of the launch, as well as information about Maureen’s campaign, on her website at maureenharquail.org

Campaign Office

Maureen’s campaign office is located at:

1421 Yonge Street, Toronto (east side of Yonge Street, just south of St. Clair)

Phone: 416-925-8228

A special invitation is also sent out to members of our neighbouring EDAs – Toronto Centre and Trinity-Spadina – but Conservatives from other Toronto ridings are also welcome.

Light snacks will be provided, but participants are responsible for their own libations. We will also have a special guest to talk to us about events in the Middle East.

Please invite your Conservative friends.

Hope to see you there.

WHEN
Tuesday, March 22
6:00 – 9:30 PM

WHERE
Fox and Fiddle,  just north of St. Clair
1535 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario

First elected to the House of Commons in 2000, Vic has been re-elected since. In opposition, Vic served as Justice Critic, and was Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on the Process for Appointment to the Judiciary. Following the 2006 election, he was named Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.  He distinguished himself as a strong voice for safer communities, introducing a half-dozen new crime laws in his first year. He was later named President of the Treasury Board. On January 19, 2010 Vic Toews was appointed as the Minister for Public Safety.  Prior to his election to the House of Commons, Mr. Toews was active in Manitoba provincial politics.

WHEN
Tuesday, July 27
6:00 – 8:00 PM

WHERE
The Twisted Kilt – 2nd Floor
1954 Yonge Street, just north of Davisville
Toronto, Ontario

$10.00 at the door (cash only).

Christina Perreault and Kevin Moore, the Conservative Candidates in St. Paul’s and Toronto Centre, invite you to a breakfast reception with special guest Maxime Bernier, MP for Beauce, Québec, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

WHEN
Friday, April 30, 2010
7:30 Registration
7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast and Keynote Address

WHERE
The Albany Club
91 King Street East, Toronto

$60 members, $75 non-members, $25 students

To purchase tickets, please complete and return this form.

We invite you to attend the meeting.  This will be fantastic opportunity to meet fellow conservatives and learn how to support our party and candidate, Christina Perreault.

The board of directors election will also be held at this meeting.

All members are welcome to attend.  Note that only individuals who have been members for at least 21 days prior to the event are eligible to vote.

Christ Church Deer Park
1570 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario (map)
Registration 2:30 PM
Call to Order 3:00 PM

We will be accepting membership applications and renewals at the pub night for entry into the Refer A Friend raffle.  Details on our Refer A Friend campaign are below.

RSVPs are appreciated at stpaulsconservative@gmail.com

Details:
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM
The Twisted Kilt – 1954 Yonge Street
Just north of Davisville, west side of Yonge Street

Please forward the invite to anyone we may have missed who would be interested in attending.

There is no cost to attend this event.

We look forward to seeing you there!