Bobbi Stewart Federal Nomination Speech - March 4, 2010

Good Evening, Guelph New Democrats!    My name is Bobbi Stewart and I want to tell you first how wonderful it is to see you all at this CAW Hall. 

I’d like to begin by telling you how I came to be standing here tonight.  Well, it was early December and I had decided it was time to re – connect with some Guelph political friends,  so I E-Mailed David Josephy and we met for breakfast at Williams Pub.  We had a wonderful visit and as we were about to wrap up, David looked at me and declared in a calm, matter – of – fact voice,  “I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you if you would seek the Federal Nomination.”   After I re – aligned by jaw and picked myself up off the floor, I re – composed myself (with the “calm yourself motion”), I told David that I was very flattered and said I would seek the reactions of  my Manager at Work and to my husband Cameron. (my manager at home!)    I received wonderful support from both my Manager and Cameron.  A few days later I met with Riding Association President Tina Sorbara, completed the paperwork for Federal office and mailed it that day.    I want to thank the Search Committee for thinking of me.  David is a person I have gone to over many years for political input and always eagerly await his opinion.  David, I want to thank you for your belief in my abilities and for popping that question on December 1st. 

Now, I would like to tell you why I am qualified to represent you and your interests in the next  Federal  Election: 
I came to Guelph in the 70’s to take the new Bachelor or Arts, Music Major Program at University of Guelph and have loved it so much, I never left.    I believe in a strong community where people look out for each other’s best interests, offering to help when they can.  My interest in strong community began as one of two daughters of the local corner grocer and I have carried out this interest with Agencies such as the Cancer Society, The Guelph Youth Singers, my Church , Onward Willow and, of course my political involvement with The New Democratic Party.  

Twenty years ago, I joined the Party when my friend Chris Margetson asked me to second her  nomination as Federal Candidate.    Chris is one of our community strongest advocates for social justice and I want to thank her for her role as catalyst for my political involvement.    Since then, I have worked on many political campaigns.  I coordinated and managed volunteers for Phil Allt’s two campaigns, and, as the Riding Association President helped bring on Tom King to represent you for the last Federal Election.    There have been several amazing highlights for me.  The first was in honouring Don Ewing for his 50 plus years of service to the Party at the Quebec Federal Convention and in front of such a huge room full of people………!    It has also been wonderful and exciting when Jack came to town. 

Let me tell you why The New Democratic Party is the Party for me…….

 The NDP is the party that pays real attention to the most vulnerable in our society.   The NDP is a strong promoter of piece, order and good government according to the Canadian Constitution.   This includes democracy through respectful, collaborative process.  New Democrats believe in Global Warming and the need to ACT NOW!   We are saddened by the ravages of globalization including the loss of Canadian jobs to foreign countries where workers are underpaid and disrespected.   The NDP believe in the importance of Labour Unions to protect workers and help them provide for their families through fair wages, safe workplaces, benefits and pensions.   We believe in equal access to healthcare and educational to all Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents.  We live by the morays of diversity and anti – oppression in our neighbourhood, our workplaces and our community. 

 This is my Party because I do social work and believe in social work values.  These are New Democratic values.   My political heroes are Tommy Douglas, Stephen and David Lewis and Ed Broadbent.  My local political mentors are Don Ewing, and Ruth and Gord Kaufman.  I know what it’s like to raise children alone and to get by on limited means.  I know what it’s like to return to school after raising children to prepare for an improved career and better life.  I believe that society’s worth is measured by our ability to take care of our most vulnerable citizens.  I believe in consensus – building, collaboration, democracy and social justice.  As one who is not materialistic, but values quality of life through family, friends and community, there is no other Party for me.  

 I live my political values through my work which has included supporting children, families, the unemployed, New Canadians and Seniors.  Since obtaining a Masters of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier, I have done clinical social work and case management with children and youth in foster care.  My employer is Family & Children’s Services of Guelph – Wellington. 

Let’s move on now from matters of the heart to practical issues, or as we in social work say, from process to content! 

Many of you know me as a positive, strength’s based person.  I haven’t changed, but when it comes to looking at my Prime Minister I have a really hard time maintaining a positive attitude.   I can’t support the dogma of black/ white, thinking, judgmental attitudes, arrogance and leadership by control where there should be collaboration.

 Mr. Harper muzzles his Members of Parliament and has thwarted Michael Chong’s career because he attempted to exercise independent thought regarding gay marriage.  He fired Linda Keen, Canada’s nuclear safety watchdog when she said that the Chalk River reactor wasn’t safe and needed to be repaired to comply with its license conditions.  This is not only wrong, but frightening! 

Our Prime Minister has actually commissioned a Manual for his members of Parliament advising them on how to sabotage the work of parliamentary committees when the Conservative view is challenged.   I find this need to control outrageous!

 Canadians are angered by a Prime Minister who would put the government on hold, rather than face constructive criticism regarding Afghan detainees and then tries to say that the Canadian people are ambivalent.  His patronizing attitude and arrogance is over shadowed only by his lack of compassion.   Mr. Harper has consistently turned his back on Canadian Omar Khadr who remains detained in the U.S. for nearly a decade despite the Supreme Court’s declaration that this is a violation of his human rights.  This has to be the epitome of self – righteous arrogance when a Prime Minister snubs his note at the Supreme Court!   

Our Prime Minister has caused us embarrassment, most recently by his poor representation of Canadians at the Copenhagen Climate Summit.   He was silent, he was absent for the traditional group photo and he shared no ideas.   In addition, how did he plan to submit collaborative Canadian input regarding green house gas emissions and plans for implementation before the January 31st deadline when he had prorogued Parliament?   This is only one of the many ways in which Mr. Harper has damaged our reputation on the international stage. 

Now, back to what’s happening in Canada……The number one issue in the eyes of Canadians is the economy.  Globalization and deregulation in the name economic efficiency has allowed the rich to get richer while working Canadians have seen their incomes decline, or worse yet saw the disappearance of their jobs entirely. This economic mess has been manufactured by the corporate sector and has been abetted by pro-corporate policies of the Conservatives.

Let’s talk now about the Liberal Party.  Make no mistake; the Liberals are no better than the Conservatives in being the lapdogs of all powerful corporations. A vote for the Liberals will not fix our broken economy and it will not improve the lives of working people.

What about the Greens?  The Green party sounds like a nice way of helping save the planet, but the truth is their platform is an inconsistent mixture of policies that draw from the left and right, and do not confront the pro-corporate issues that have affected so many working Canadian families. The Greens have no seats in Parliament and have no impact on shaping government policy.  I believe that we, the Guelph New Democrats, have an excellent opportunity to take back the Green vote in this Riding! 

OK.  We’ve talked about what isn’t working.   Let’s look at solutions………

Starting with the Economy and Green Solutions:   We need to refute the claim that the NDP is anti-business. The message is that the NDP stand for moderation and pragmatic solutions that will improve the lives of all citizens by increasing income security and standard of living;  solutions that facilitate a strong private sector, providing employment for many Canadians.
We must send the message that the NDP is not against corporations that provide a great number of jobs……. But that what we ARE against is bad corporate behaviour that increases the suffering of working Canadians.   We cannot support a completely unregulated market where wages are continually driven down, employment security is reduced, the number of contract and part-time workers is on the rise and environmental degradation goes unchallenged and unpaid for.  We must act as watchdogs of corporate power and further deregulation of our economy. 

We would be wise to find a palatable pro-business issue or policy and champion that particular issue without alienating party faithful. Somehow the NDP has to shake the label of being irresponsible fiscal managers. This is the single biggest complaint I hear from working people who do not support the NDP.

New Democrats must promote good corporate governance by using examples of companies that are good corporate citizens. Repeat the message to corporations that their responsibility should be taken in the following order to ensure that they are good corporate citizens:
First - Responsibility to their customers
Second - Responsibility to their employees
Next - Responsibility to the community
Finally - Responsibility to the shareholder

This behaviour will improve profits and grant rewards based on effort. The shareholders come last because they actually contribute very little to the success of the company. This list of priorities comes from Roger Martin of the Rotman School of Business.
We must ensure that budget support for research and development is maintained or raised to the level that it was when Jean Chretien was in power.
We should ensure that corporate tax incentives are used to encourage innovation through employee training, updating equipment and processes to the latest available technologies. Tax incentives can also be used to encourage Canadian businesses to expand to foreign markets.
Government must invest in innovation through: 
i)    Through increased educational spending
ii)    Support & loan guarantees for businesses who will take part in manufacturing, engineering, installation and servicing of green technologies
iii)    The same applies for other sectors of economy like biotechnology,  internet technology and other knowledge -  based businesses

 Government must set up a task force:
1)     To study all current green technologies and create a survey of all existing green tech companies

2)    Track all research and development aimed at green technology

3)    Create a Centralized Organization for green ventures which will match green entrepreneurs with potential investors, and employees.

4)    Diversify global markets by expanding trade with India and China with the provision that any trade deals must facilitate net gain for Canada.  There must be a quid pro quo whereby Canada sells into the Asian markets products and services of a value -  added nature.  We cannot continue to sell off raw materials to be manufactured overseas and sold back to us.

5)    Trade deals that do not add to Canada’s employment cannot be signed.

6)    No more selling off our natural inheritance for a quick buck.

7)    No more selling out our workers by allowing corporations to move manufacturing to other national jurisdictions without some offsetting advantage for Canadian workers.  We may not be able to stop the bleeding of manufacturing jobs, but surely we can make it a lot more difficult for this corporate behaviour to continue.

Employment Insurance Reform
The current state of Canada’s Emplacement Insurance system is a disgrace.  Less than half of Canadian workers who lose their jobs do not qualify to collect EI benefits despite having paid into the system for years. T his is immoral and must be corrected with all possible speed.  Any one who pays EI contributions must be guaranteed benefits.
One possible solution to reform EI would be to scrap the current eligibility requirements altogether and replace these with a system based on lifetime contributions, using tax returns s to track eligibility. 

Foreign Policy………….
Back in 2006 the NDP were ridiculed for suggesting that NATO and the Afghan government negotiate with moderate Taliban to have them lay down their arms and work with the government. There has been widespread talk among the pragmatists in NATO and the Afghan government of approaching moderate Taliban. The NDP’s moderate approach has finally been adopted by other governments.
We must correct the foreign policy mistakes of the Conservations inclusive of the following:
1)    No new military commitments to violent undertakings and wars of aggression.  NO MORE Afghanistans! 

2)    RETURN Canada to a position as pre-eminent peace keeper

3)     SUPPORT multilateral geopolitical actions as sanctioned through the United Nations or NATO.  We must not join unilateral adventures like Iraq.  Canadians WILL NOT be drawn into Imperial power struggles.  We must return to our traditional role as honest broker.

4)    REPAIR   Canada’s environmental stance on the world stage by vocal support for Copenhagen accord and all future accords.

5)    SUPPORT Europe’s call for deeper regulations on global financial markets.

6)    STRENGTHEN Canada’s position on global poverty reduction via support for good governance programs and family planning in recipient nations.  Connect aid with good governance and countries that abide by human rights. 

The voices of moderation and pragmatism need to be heard.   As your Federal New Democrat Party Candidate, I, with you, will be one of these strong voices.  Together, we must call for an end to ideologically driven policy that divides the Canadian people.  A political party is elected to govern for ALL Canadians and not just the party faithful.   It is time that all parties in Parliament stop the partisan games and begin a new dialog; a dialog that will lead to solutions;   solutions that will make the lives of ordinary Canadians more secure and prosperous;   solutions that will make a stronger and more united Canada. 

I will work hard for very all of us as your Federal Candidate and I thank you all for your support.