Your Next Liberal Candidate (and future MP) for Niagara Falls

Received this in my inbox today; I must say it brings a smile to my face to see a extremely dedicated Liberal step up and run.

That is if the party doesn't bar men from seeking the nomination......

Dear Fellow Liberal,

I'd like to take a moment of your time today to express to you my formal intentions to seek the nomination to be the next candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada for the riding of Niagara Falls.

This afternoon I will announce this intention to our local press, followed by a formal press release to news oulets in the region.

I thank all of you in advance for your consideration in this matter and look forward to serving you as a dedicated Liberal regardless of the final outcome in the nomination process.


Sincerely yours,

James C. Curran

Student Elections give me hope!

I'm currently on the campus of Brock University, standing in Issac's (our pub and favourite hang out spot) watching the Brock University Student Union All Candidate Debates. There are some excellent candidates and I am sure that next year whoever is elected will do a great job.

Several thoughts I thought I would share with everyone on this. Everyone seems to acknowledge that this is the age of voter apathy, particularly amoung my fellow youth. Watching my friends get up and submit their name to stand for election and be willing to commit the endless, countless hours that the positions the are campaigning for is an inspiration. It gives me hope that these individuals will be the leaders of tomorrow.

My perdictions for this years BUSU elections are as follows:

President- James O'Brien
Vice President of University Affairs - Damien O'Brien
Vice President of Student Services - Laura Grouchy
Board of Directors - Brittany Traynor & Bianca Bruni

Good Luck to all, although I am sure you guys won't need it!

In other news to quote a friend "you guys in Niagara Falls take your politics seriously!"

Nominations and Floor Crossings? Oh my!

I know it has been a while since the last time I blogged-but regardless here are a few musings:

• Being a member of the Niagara Falls riding this is amazing news. Jim Curran has been a wonderful riding president and his dedication to this party is an inspiration to not just myself but many. He is a fierce supporter and promoter of both youth and women participation in politics (his favourite t-shirt is his "women belong in the house..and in the senate"). I for one can not wait to see him on CPAC in the House of Commons.

• Disregarding people's personal opinions on whether or not Garth Turner will be a good addition to the Liberal fold or not; I would like to point out that Garth Turner did not choose to floor cross. To remind people he was tossed out of the Conservative Caucus, a decision he didn't make. He chose to sit as an independent initially and in his press conference vowed to be very critical of the whole party process, not just the Conservatives, but all political parties. Apparently after some time as an independent Garth has decided to join the Liberal Caucus. He did not leave the Conservative caucus in an attempt to screw them over; or because of some type of carrot dangled by the Liberal party. So by this rationale I would suggest that because unlike Scott Brison, Belinda Stronach, and Wajid Khan (who all went from one political party to another with no time in between); Garth Turner does not owe it to anyone to step down and run in a by-election. I come to this conclusion not because I don't want to risk his constituents re-electing a Conservative MP, or that I am in any way pro-floor crossing (quiet frankly, I don't have a strong opinion on it one way or another). If he floor crossed to the Liberals, then he floor crossed as a Independent which his constituents didn't elect him as either. So does that mean that he should have stepped down after he was tossed out of the Conservative Caucus and run as a Independent? Needless to say Garth's situation is a bit different to those of Scott, Belinda and Wajid.