Politics

The Political Minority: In His Words

Before The Internet 

Before social media and the 24 hour TV news cycle there was just News Papers. The following interview  below was published for the Halifax Metro Weekly  November 13 to 19th, 1992. My grandfather influence many in the community in a positive way, he was everyone’s representative not just the black communities I grew up in a house hold were meritrocity was preached and no special privileges were given.

At my grandfathers funeral in-front of a packed Church congregation I stood up and within my statement honoring him I recall saying, “It is as though he was meticulously molding and shaping my character from the moment I could first remember”, that’s a fact.

collage papa and me

(Left: Graham L. Downey, Halifax Downtown City Councilor & Hon. John Manley, Former Deputy Prime Minister, current CEO of Canadian Council of Chief Executives and Officer of the Order of Canada Middle: Bridge Walk 1987 Natal Day Celebration, Me and my grandfather, Right: Dr. Robert Campbell, President Mount Allison University, Officer of the Order of Canada, Jerome L. Downey)

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Funny But Important Political Commentary

Distinguished_gentleman

I came across  gold the other night,  The Distinguished Gentlemen had me in stitches  I thought it was such a great comedic social political commentary almost to good to believe. I was 7 years old when this movie hit the theatres back in 1992 way to young at the time to appreciate its whit and comedic flare.  However I am happy I can watch it now and don’t have to dig for a VHS or DVD copy.  Thank you Google and YouTube your the best! 

Plot 

A Florida con man uses the passing of the long time Congressman from his district who he just happens to share a name with, to get elected to his version of paradise, Congress, where the money flows from lobbyists. But soon he learns the nature of the game and decides to fight back the only way he knows how, with a con.

 

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNE4_L2rKNk”]

National Press Club of Canada Breakfast

[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLXeo62z_o4&feature=player_embedded#!”]

 

Comment via User on  Youtube200px-Parti_PC_Party_Canada_1996.svg

It gives the impression of sincerity , honesty without rhetoric. The message is quite clear; the length of speech is about right. Any good policies require good and honest people to implement. Nova Scotia had the Nomination Program but failed and we know why. Nova Scotian wants dearly to contribute to the country. We want “real immigrants” who want to stay, work, and pay taxes and we want to assist in anyway we can. I can see Mr. Baillie was more and more comfortable and confident

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Labor Pains of a New Worldview

The Problem Is Not Political 

Humanity has reached a crossroad. Our species, the species of human beings is coming to a place where we are deciding about ourselves. We are making a huge decision about “Who are we?” and “Who do we really choose to be?”

We imagine that the issue is a political issue. Then we say, “Ah, well it must be a financial problem.” The problem is not political and it’s not financial. And it’s also, by the way, not military, …obviously.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n1p9P5ee3c&feature=player_embedded”]

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The United Nations & Canada

 

The United Nations Association in Canada

A Better World Starts HERE.

It starts in our homes. In our schools and communities. In our country. It starts with you.

The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) is a national charitable organization established in 1946. Our mandate is to engage the Canadian public in the work of the United Nations and the critical international issues which affect us all. We accomplish our goals through a dynamic staff team at the National Office and a network of volunteer-driven regional branches.

The United Nations Association in Canada strives for a better world through a variety of national projects focused on specific issues and audiences. We work closely with the educational communities in every province and territory to build their capacity to educate young people from a global perspective. We also work directly with youth, challenging them to develop the tools and skills necessary to confront some of the world’s most complex problems.

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Let’s Talk About What We Are Fighting For

“In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect.” – Bill Clinton

 

The Cause Is What Is Important  

The story dominating headlines  early this week in Canadian politics was Liberal MP Justin Trudeau’s victory in the boxing ring. Proving the odds makers wrong he beat up a younger perceived “stronger” opponent in Senator Patrick Brazeau. Justin had no need to rope-a-dope, as I had assumed might be his strategy. Instead the match was settled by a TKO in the 3rd round. Although the showmanship and games grabbed the headlines the cause it was for was very important.

Photo Curtousey: The National Post (Lockheed Martin)

The boxing match between Trudeau and Brazeau started to make me think about what we are fighting for as a country.  As individuals we all have our own unique interest, motivations, influences, dreams and ambitions that we fight for. We work towards our dreams because we were taught by our parents, mentors and heroes that our dreams could and would come true and to not let anyone stand in our way. From a political observer’s position this logic is clearly something that has been a rallying point amongst the Conservative Party of Canada. In 2011, after several minority parliaments, Canadians decided to elect what they were told was going to be a “a strong, majority, conservative, government” that would lead us through the economic crisis. Continue reading →

Top Documentary: Here Comes The Sun

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” – Buddha

It has become self-evident in my inner circle and for those around me at work that I have become extremely passionate about the Clean Technology sector. My rational behind this is very simple; it represents a different way of thinking and seeing the world. It represents unity, balance, and sustainability. These are principles that I believe are fundamental to a healthy lifestyle. In my last Top Documentary Selection: There Is No Tomorrow there was a lot of fear and facts used to suggest that our future here on earth was very bleak. The quotes below from friends and family are a sample of first reactions after seeing the video.

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The 2012 Canadian Federal Budget

My Budget First Impression

It is good to be young right now!

Photo Credits: Courtesy Financial Post Staff

Looking at this budget at first glance my first response is… wow this is soft! The Conservative government really likes to spend money and as a young professional I am happy to see that they have indicated they are going to spend $2 Billion in innovation with a focus on commercialization. It is very straight forward, very basic and very logical. The most important part of this document for any entrepreneur, business or person between the ages of 18-45 is in Chapter 3. The following is a brief summary of some highlights that are indicated on the www.budget.gc.ca website. 

Political Commentary

A Harsh Beat Down For Environmentalist

From a political policy standpoint there is a direct attack against environmental groups. I have not read for myself but according to sources who have dived deep into the document already Aboriginal Affairs is going to be giving up about 2.7 percent of its budget vs. the 8.9 percent that is suspected Environment Canada is going to have to give up. Clearly those who appose the “Tar Sands” I mean “Oil Sands” this has to be a big kick in the teeth! Continue reading →

A Response to the Controversial Statements of Senator Pierr-Hugues Boisvenu

Photo Credits: @globeandmail

 

Many columnist and writers across Canada including Prime Minister Stephen Harper have indicated and suggested that Senator Boisvenu comments can be understood and somewhat justified considering his prior experience with the criminal justice system. After all he is the founder of “Murdered or Missing Persons Families Association” (MMPFA), and a man who has greatly been personally affected by a thoughtless and heart wrenching crime.

However we live in Canada and as a Canadians we are fortunate to have rules of law that govern us. No mans personal “feelings”, “emotions” or “thoughts” are above the law or our countries constitution. It is for that reason it is not hard to believe why Senator Boisvenu statements insulted millions of Canadians and provoked a re-opening of the capital punishment penalty in Canada. In my opinion his comments were indecent and surprising especially when considering how pro-life (fiscal conservatives) tend to be. His statement is selective, extremely bias, and more concerning lacks basic human empathy and compassion that I always thought separated Canadians from other nations throughout the world.

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Divisive Development

Written by Victoria Goodday, Editorial Intern at Corporate Knights

The A. Murray MacKay Bridge looms behind local politician Jerome Downey; a small memorial is all that marks the community destroyed for its construction. Photo by Paul Trussler.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a small port city rich in Maritime history and down-home hospitality. Known for its hard-partying students and sailors, the city’s lively cultural scene has earned it the nickname of “the New Orleans of the East”. The similarities between the two cities don’t stop there. Like New Orleans, Halifax has an urban core characterized by a sharp racial divide and a population plagued by racial tension.

A history tainted by discriminatory policy decisions has left Nova Scotia’s capital fighting to achieve an inclusive society. Home to the largest proportion of Canadian-born blacks in the country, its racially disparate downtown and isolated black neighborhoods challenge Canada’s “cultural mosaic” moniker.

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