Why Ethan Rabidoux Left the Conservative Party and Joined the NDP

 - A Reminder of All the Reasons Why We Do What We Do

Here's a quote to pique your interest:

"The public is understandably cynical. All I can say is give us a shot. Lend us your support. If we turn out to be no better than the other two then you can go back to the other two in a couple of years. If the NDP cannot rise above Patrick Brazeau, Mike Duffy and Nigel Wright or Alphonso Gagliano, Chuck Guite and Jean Lafleur then we'll deserve to be tossed out of power. I'm not overly concerned. The bar has not been set very high. Canadians deserve far better. The NDP will deliver."

Ethan Rabidoux is "ready to be the next Member of Parliament for Perth-Wellington."

For the full article, http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ethan-rabidoux/ethan-rabidoux_b_6277876.html

Holiday Dinner

Grindrod Community Hall 

December 14, 2014 1.30pm

You are invited to gather for a special Sunday dinner in the beautiful new Grindrod Community Hall.

Dinner will be provided, entertainment, as well as a silent auction.

Special guest: Jacqui Gingras

Admission by donation to 'North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP'. Everyone is welcome.

 2014-15 Executive

Preparing for the Election

Results of the AGM? Here is the new Executive team: 

President: Alice Brown, Enderby 
Vice-president: Kelly Stalker, Falkland 
Financial agent: Nick Hodge, Lumby 
Secretary: Karoll Brosnan, Falkland

Directors-at-large: 

Steve Corrie, Salmon Arm (resigned)
Bob Crosby, Chase 
Karine Poznanski, Vernon
Don Purdy, Vernon 
Ian Schierbeck, Salmon Arm
Deb Smith, Grindrod 
Carol Toy, Salmon Arm
Wayne Zimmer, Grindrod
Zev Tiefenbach (appointed)

Celebrate Tommy Douglas Day October 20th

In 2005 Saskatchewan passed a bill naming October 20th (every year) Tommy Douglas Day. This is a day worth celebrating in your own way.

One way is to take a moment to listen to one of his most famous speeches,The Story of Mouseland, presented by his grandson Kiefer Sutherland.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqgOvzUeiAA

ps. The Tommy Douglas Day legislation is at http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/T15-002.pdf. It contains a brief reminder of the reasons why we celebrate Oct 20th, even outside Saskatchewan.

Notice of AGM

North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP members will meet Saturday, October 4th.

The purpose of the meeting is to:

1. Review the past year's performance

2. Elect a new executive

3. Prepare for the coming election campaign.

There will be entertainment and refreshments.

Everyone is welcome.

For more info, contact president@okanaganshuswapndp.ca

Gingras earns NDP nomination in federal North Okanagan-Shuswap riding

Jacqui Gingras was selected today by New Democratic Party members in the North Okanagan-­‐Shuswap riding to carry the party’s banner in the next federal election.

“I am honored, excited and prepared to carry forward the fight for everyday Canadians living in the North Okanagan-­‐Shuswap,” Jacqui said after earning the nomination in a balloting process held in Armstrong this afternoon.

“It’s time for a change. The Conservative government has proven divisive in its policy-­‐making and unresponsive in its representation. My campaign will focus on giving a voice back to constituents. We are Better Together.”

With a federal election expected in 2015, Jacqui says her focus over the next six months will be to meet with people in the North Okanagan-­‐Shuswap and develop a better sense of their priorities and concerns — an effort she has already started to undertake.

“People I have spoken with across our riding have shared with me their concerns about the environment, about jobs, and about our future,” Jacqui said. “Based on the federal Conservatives many recent debacles, we have a strong case to make for change —  we can’t continue in the same way and expect different outcomes.”

Jacqui lives with her spouse and two children on a self-­‐sustaining property near Falkland. She is a tenured professor at Ryerson University in Toronto. “Like so many other Canadians, my work takes me away from home; my heart, however, remains in the North Okanagan-­‐Shuswap.”

Jacqui describes herself as a “coffee-­‐drinking, food-­‐loving, question-­‐asking, left-­‐leaning, manuscript-­‐writing, classroom-­‐teaching,  wife-­‐adoring, cyclist mom of two pretty hilarious kids.”

She encourages conversation and welcomes questions, comments and good old-­‐fashioned discussion in person, via Twitter and Facebook, or over the phone.

The North Okanagan-­‐Shuswap riding was created with the 2012 redistribution of Federal Electoral Districts and includes about 112,000 residents in the cities of Vernon, Salmon Arm and Armstrong, the District Municipality of Sicamous, the Regional District of North Okanagan and a portion of the Columbia-­‐ Shuswap Regional District..Newly added to the riding is the town of Edgewood. It also includes the Salmon River Indian Reserve No. 1., the North Bay Indian Reserve No. 5 and part of the Okanagan Indian Reserve No. 1.

Amended Notice to Members:Nomination Meeting for North Okanagan-Shuswap

AMENDED Notice to Members: Nomination Meeting for North Okanagan-Shuswap

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY for information on voting eligibility and corrected information on the deadline to submit applications to seek the nomination.

Notice to Members

A nomination meeting to select our NDP candidate in North Okanagan-Shuswap has been set for August 23^rd, 2014.

To vote in this nomination meeting, you must be a member in good standing of the NDP.  Further you must have joined the NDP on or before July 24^th, the 30^th day prior to the nomination meeting date and must live in the electoral district to be eligible to vote in this nomination.

To apply to seek the nomination, one must submit the candidate application forms to Federal Office no later than 5pm Eastern, on August 1^st, 15 business days in advance of the nomination meeting.  Regretfully, incorrect information about this deadline was listed in the original notice of the nomination meeting.

The North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP nominating convention will be held:

     Date: Saturday, August 23

     Time: 2 pm

     Place: Sunset Coronation Hall, 3005 Wood Avenue, Armstrong, BC (formerly Odd Fellows Hall).

There will be a guest speaker and refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there.

There are two approved candidates seeking the nomination:

                Jacqui Gingras

                Richard Smiley

Please join us as we select our NDP candidate for the next general election.  There will be a guest speaker and refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there.

Donation cheques can be made to North Okanagan Shuswap NDP and either brought to the convention, or mailed to:

North Okanagan Shuswap NDP
c/o Nick Hodge, President

PO Box 425
Lumby, BC  V0E 2G0

Secure credit card and Interac donations can be made at:

https://secure.ndp.ca/riding13/index.php?riding=59020&language=e

100% of your donation will be used in this riding, which now stretches from Chase-Seymour Arm to Edgewood.

le 31 juillet 2014

Avis de Congrès de mise en candidature

En tant que membre du NPD, vous avez la possibilité de faire partie du procès démocratique au niveau local par le choix de candidat pour vous représenter, ainsi que votre communauté, à la prochaine élection fédérale. Nous avons déjà deux bons candidats qui se présentent – Jacqui Gingras et Richard Smiley. Si vous voulez, ou vous connaissez quelqu’un qui voudra, poser votre/sa candidature, le champ est encore ouvert; la date limite est le 8 août.

Cette lettre sert d’avis du prochain Congrès de mise en candidature. Les membres du NPD se rencontrent le 23 août à Armstrong pour choisir le candidat qui, non seulement les représentera, mais aussi représentera tous ceux qui veulent opter pour un changement au niveau du gouvernement fédéral. L’élection de 2011 a vu 14 955 électeurs/électrices choisir le NPD dans cette circonscription – une base solide sur laquelle nous pouvons développer un avenir.

Le Congrès de mise en candidature pour le North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP se convoque:
     Date: samedi le 23 août 2014
     Heure: 14:00
     Lieu: Sunset Coronation Hall, 3005 Wood Avenue, Armstrong, BC (anciennement Odd Fellows Hall).

Il y aura un conférencier invité ainsi que des rafraîchissements. Au plaisir de vous voir au congrès!

Un don peut se faire par une des façons suivantes :
- un cheque au nom de North Okanagan Shuswap NDP apporté au congrès,
- ou envoyé à:
North Okanagan Shuswap NDP
c/o Nick Hodge, President
PO Box 425
Lumby, BC  V0E 2G0
- par carte de credit en ligne sécurisée à:
https://secure.ndp.ca/riding/index.php?riding=59018&language=e

Votre don sera utilisé à 100% dans cette circonscription, qui comprend maintenant la région de Chase-Seymour Arm à Edgewood.

Sincèrement,


Nick Hodge, Président

Candidate Statements -

Candidate Statements

Jacqui Gingras

Richard Smiley

Reinstating Your 'Lapsed' Membership

A member who has donated to the BC NDP in the past year is considered 'current'.

A member has 90 days after the annual date to reinstate their membership to full voting privileges. During those 90 days the membership has ‘lapsed’. A 'lapsed' member reinstates their membership by:

1. Making a secure credit card or Interac donation on the Federal NDP web site at:
   North Okanagan-Shuswap members go to  https://secure.ndp.ca/riding13/index.php?riding=59020&language=e
   
   * Note the important check box where you designate a portion of your donation to updating your membership..
   * Print your receipt and bring it to the meeting
   * Make this a small monthly donation, and never worry about your membership again.
   
2. Mailing a cheque , payable to:
   
   North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP
   c/o Nick Hodge
   PO Box 425
   Lumby, BC V0E 2G0
   
   
3. Bringing a donation to the nominating convention.

The North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP nominating convention will be held:

     Date: Saturday, August 23

     Time: 2 pm

     Place: Sunset Coronation Hall, 3005 Wood Avenue, Armstrong, BC (formerly Odd Fellows Hall).

If you are uncertain how long it has been since you updated your membership (by donating to the BC NDP)  please phone toll free at 1-888-868-3637 to confirm the date of your last donation to BC NDP.

Notice to Members

Your NDP membership gives you the opportunity to participate in the democratic process locally by choosing a candidate to represent our communities in the next federal election. We are fortunate to already have two strong candidates, Jacqui Gingras and Richard Smiley, from whom to choose and there could be others before the August 8^th deadline. This is your notice of our upcoming nomination convention.

NDP members will meet in Armstrong August 23 to select a candidate who will not only represent the membership, but all those who wish to vote for a change in our federal government. In the 2011 election 14,955 voters chose NDP in this riding – a very good base from which to build.

If you, or if you know someone who would be a good candidate, the deadline to join this race is August 8^th.

The North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP nominating convention will be held:

     Date: Saturday, August 23

     Time: 2 pm

     Place: Sunset Coronation Hall, 3005 Wood Avenue, Armstrong, BC (formerly Odd Fellows Hall).

There will be a guest speaker and refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there.

Donation cheques can be made to North Okanagan Shuswap NDP and either brought to the convention, or mailed to:

North Okanagan Shuswap NDP
c/o Nick Hodge, President

PO Box 425
Lumby, BC  V0E 2G0

Secure credit card and Interac donations can be made at:

https://secure.ndp.ca/riding13/index.php?riding=59020&language=e

100% of your donation will be used in this riding, which now stretches from Chase-Seymour Arm to Edgewood.

North Okanagan Shuswap NDP Candidate Application deadline August 8, 2014

With the nomination date for the next federal election set for August 23, the deadline for applying to be a candidate to represent the NDP in the next federal election is August 8th.

The challenge in waiting for the deadline is the short period of time to campaign to the local members, who are the ones who get to vote at the convention. The clock is ticking, we know there are passionate and committed NDP supporters who want to give up the next year getting to know the 100,000 or so eligible voters in our riding, so let's talk about it. Who do you think would make a good candidate?

Is there a relationship between election spending and results?

Let's have a look at past results and compare them to total expenses. Fortunately, election expenses are carefully documented by most parties and the reports are available at Elections Canada. How did the NDP fare in federal elections over the past two decades?

         For those who like numbers:

Campaign Year	Candidate	NDP Election Expenses	Percent of NDP Votes	Results
1988	Lyle Macwilliam	n/a	43%	1
1993	Lyle Macwilliam	n/a	24%	2
1997	Calvin White	17,699	12%	3
2000	Wayne Fowler	4,575	8%	3
2004	Alice Brown	36,696	24%	2
2006	Alice Brown	31,917	26%	2
2008	Alice Brown	17,160	20%	2
2011	Nikki Inouye	16,845	26%	2

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okanagan%E2%80%94Shuswap & Elections.Canada

Note that there are multiple ways to donate to the NDP, so you have to be careful that the $$$ go where you intend.

The local riding association keeps 100% of of the donations it receives, which is good. The bad part is we receive virtually zero financial support from the national party. 

We can run a good campaign locally, but we rely on local New Democrats (14,955 voted for Nikki in 2011) to pitch in financially. And they do, obviously.

Local NDP to Select Federal Candidate

Members of the NDP will choose their representative in the next federal
election at a nomination convention in Armstrong August 23 at 2pm. “We have had
interest from several potential candidates. One has been accepted by the
party’s vetting process, and another has made an application”, said Nick
Hodge, local association president.

"We have had discussions about forming a coalition of opposition parties
locally for the next election. Our executive has decided that we will
not be involved in restricting the choices on the ballot. While we
understand the sentiment, in a democracy more choice is always better,
and so we will putting forward an NDP candidate in the next election."

Voters at the convention must have been a member of the BC NDP for at
least 30 days prior to the convention. New candidates may still join the
race. Those interested should be a member of the party and be prepared
to file an application with the federal NDP prior to the convention. The
meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome.

Location: Sunset Coronation Hall, 3005 Wood, Armstrong

To join: http://www.bcndp.ca/

Meet the current declared candidates: Jacqui Gingras, Richard Smiley on Facebook

Predict changes in the number of votes for each party, and see the results

Spreadsheet models can be used to predict the future. This one takes your best guess about how the number of votes will change locally for each party in the next federal election (compared to 2011), and shows the results.

Give it a try!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zdAWklyeAYmWdoMrQ2n63-weWyIzN4OJ9RU1LwEG-H0/edit?usp=sharing

Maven Lane grand opening a cause for celebration

Wednesday, June 25 at 3pm the North Okanagan Child Care Society will celebrate the Grand Opening of Maven Lane, the former West Vernon Elementary purchased from School District 22 in December 2013.

The not-profit, parent led society has operated child care and early learning facilities since 1994, first in the basement of Bearsto Elementary, and now permanently located in their own building.

The society is at forefront of early childhood education as it has learned from researchers such as Dr. Clyde Hertzman, UBC and Dr. Fraser Mustard, University of Toronto.

Their research shows that quality child care and early learning allow children to become ready for school, measured by their physical health, social abilities and mental skills. Children who are ready for learning when they enter primary school have an advantage, and that they tend to keep that advantage into their adult years shown by the massive NCDS study which is still following members the same group of 17,500 babies all born the same week in 1958.

We have a treasure, an icon, a monument to the power of what a small group of committed people can achieve in only twenty years. This Grand Opening provides an opportunity to celebrate the enormous achievements of this wonderful organization, and I hope to see you there.

Candidates declare interest in seeking NDP nomination

Three candidates so far have declared interest in seeking the local nomination for the 2015 federal election. Others may soon join, but the time for making a decision is closing in.

If you are interested in being the candidate, please contact the president of the riding association. The requirements are fairly straightforward:

1. You must be a member of the NDP (sign up at here)
2. An application, accepted by the federal party. Those forms available through the riding association president..

Candidates for the nomination to date:

Jacqui Gingras (blog)

Richard Smiley

Richard Smiley, Askews Armstrong

Janet McInnis


An executive meeting will be held to determine the nomination convention date shortly.

The "Take Back Our Coast" tour led by Skeena MP and Opposition finance critic Nathan Cullen visits the Vernon Rec Centre at 12 noon Thursday, May 22nd.

Cullen also visits Kamloops the same evening at St. Andrews on the Square at 7:30 pm.

"The Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline risks our environment, threatens thousands of good jobs in the Skeena and is opposed by over 60% of British Columbians", states NDP MP Nathan Cullen.

More info available at http://takebackourcoast.ca/

Tickets (free) are at http://eventbrite.ca/event/11566801615?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new_eventv2&utm_term=eventname_text

Only 100 seats are available.

The presentation is a multi-media event and talk about the risks and costs of oil tanker traffic and spills. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Thomas Mulcair to visit Vernon Feb 19, 2014

As a sign that the NDP is preparing for an election, note that Thomas Mulcair will be at the Vernon Rec Centre at noon on February 19th. This is a public event so bring your skepticism and evaluate very likely the next Prime Minister of Canada.

At the same time there will be an opportunity to meet with several potential local NDP candidates for the 2015 (?) election.

Information will be available for those who wish to become members and participate in the candidate selection process. If you are interested in becoming a candidate, please talk to a member of the current executive.