Zonta International Award Winners

Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women. I had the privilege of judging this year's awards for the St. Catharines Club. I was so impressed with all of the candidates. They were all winners.

Raising Money for Scholarships and Bursaries

The 18th annual Seafood Gala took place tonight. Record attendance of more than 650 guests at Fallsview Casino Resort raised more than $115,000 in support of student scholarships and bursaries.

Under the Ontario Trust for Student Support program, the Government of Ontario will match and exceed that amount bringing the total funds generated $306,000 – a new record for this popular event.

More than 2,000 of Niagara College’s 6,300 students received financial support in 2006 thanks in large measure to those who support events like the Seafood Gala which generate funds for student scholarships and bursaries.

As a Director of Niagara College's Foundation Board, I am so proud to be part of this great event.

Niagara/Hamilton Churches Walk the Talk

My church was looking for volunteers for an annual event: serving dinner to the people at the Wesley Centre in Hamilton. The Wesley Centre is a 24hr/7 day a week Drop-in Centre / Shelter for men and women in need of shelter, sanctuary and the opportunity to socialize. I decided to go and bring my 10 year old grandaughter, Kendra Lee. I wasn't sure initially that it was a good idea to bring her and a few people said I may want to wait a couple of years until she is a little older. But I know this much about my grandaughter - she has a big heart, loves to care for others and likes to go to new places with her granny.

We went to the church service first on the second floor of the Centre. My pastor and a pastor from the Centre delivered the service together and we all took part in acting out the story of Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-40). It was a memorable service because of everyone's involvment and because of the two ministers' sensitivity in delivery.

After the service, we went down to the kitchen, past a great crowd in the entrance that were lined up, ready for their meal. It smelled wonderful and the kitchen was packed with our church members. I was assigned the task of serving the meals along with about four others. Kendra Lee worked in the kitchen and had the job of moving the trays along the food line, in readiness for serving. She did an amazing job as I knew she would.

We served meals to about 200 people. A couple of volunteers served coffee and tea. There was a birthday cake that appeared from somewhere, and we sang Happy Birthday to the three clients who were celebrating their special day. As people finished their meals, they brought their trays and cutlery up to the collection area and many made a special point of thanking us for the meal.

When I pick up Kendra Lee (she is the eldest of seven grandchildren) her Mom never knows where I am going to take her. There are many events in the various communities and most days, it is a matter of choosing between several places within the riding. When I arrived home with Kendra Lee that evening, she was so excited to tell her Mom about our adventure. She explained that we served a meal to people who were poor and I could tell that she felt very proud of the contribution that she had made.

Poverty affects one in six in this great country of ours. We all need to do our part and governments at every level need to work together to take care of our most vulnerable. It is the right thing to do. My church knows that, as do 51 other churches in the Niagara/Hamilton area that make sure that the poor in Hamilton are offered a hot meal every Sunday.

Stop 19 Firemen Help Welland's Hope Centre

A group of loyal supporters of the Hope Centre came out to the CAW Hall on Steel Street tonight to participate in a Turkey and Ham Raffle. Many of us left with a little less cash, a turkey or ham, and the satisfaction that we had contributed to this important Centre in Welland.

Laurier Liberal Ladies Learn About Niagara Escarpment

Today Don Alexander spoke to the St. Catharines Laurier Liberal Ladies about the Niagara Escarpment. In the 1970s Don was a member of the Niagara Region planning and development committee at a time when the Niagara Escarpment Commission was formed and when urban boundaries were established. Don delivered a very informative talk about the escarpment and has a special feel for the escarpment having lived in both the Bruce and Niagara Peninsulas. Don referred to the escarpment as being a "sacred space" and explained that the word sacred does not necessarily mean religious, but means outside of the ordinary.

The escarpment is 725 kilometres long, extends from here to Tobermoray and includes 120 parks. The Niagara Escarpment Plan was completed in 1973 and was developed through a public consultation process. There are 3 areas outlined in the plan: the natural area or the scarp itself which is protected from being built on, a protection area which is a buffer zone, and a rural area which recognizes that agriculture has a real role and is not just a holding area for development. In addition, it is recognized that the escarpment includes mineral resource areas and has a recreation designation.

The Niagara Escarpment is part of a world biosphere, a world wide network of important areas. Brock University has the unique reputation of having its totality of lands in a world's biosphere.

Don gave all of us a better understanding of the treasure we have in the Niagara escarpment.

Niagara College's Foundation Board Expanding

Our Foundation Board welcomed four new members today. For a change, we met at the Welland Campus at the SAC building. We went on a tour of two of the oldest buildings on campus, the Black Walnut and Mackenzie buildings. Both were built as temporary structures 40 years ago and it was clear, after seeing the buildings and hearing about the cost of upgrading and maintaining them, that it is time for some new structures. Just what the new structures will look like is still being decided. But the Foundation Board will be ready to raise money for this next phase of Niagara College's expansion. I am so proud to be part of this dynamic group and educational institution in Niagara.

Social Justice in Welland

Over the last couple of months, our Business Advisory Committee at the Hope Centre has morphed into the Social Justice Committee and some great events are planned to move the community to action. I met three young students from Notre Dame today who, along with their teacher, Paul Turner, are serious about ending poverty in the Welland community. Alyson Coons, Colton Hrcak and Angela Tilk are planning a Homelessness Awareness Night in April that will have them sleep outside in boxes and go hungry for a night. Alyson, Colton and Angela have been talking to the other schools in the area, in the hopes that more will join in their efforts on April 20th to raise awareness of the needs of our most vulnerable in the Welland/Pelham area.

Under the awesome leadership of the Executive Director, Sylvia Berkhout, there are exciting things happening at the Centre. Some badly needed renovations to the building are well underway and the Hope Centre continues to provide food, shelter and hope to those in our community that need it the most.

Impressed with West Niagara Partners

Once every quarter, Cheryl Scott at West Niagara Community Care hosts a luncheon networking meeting for community partners to come together to share information. The food is always interesting, usually made by one of the volunteers. And the information sharing and networking is always valuable.

There were about a dozen of us at the meeting today and we went around the table, announcing our affiliation and special events, news and needs of our organizations. I was so impressed with the women there. All were so passionate about their work, whether it be with young offenders, abused women, or seniors needing palliative care.

I was there as the Chair of the West Niagara WrapAround Initiative and I talked about the progress we have made so far. We have had a fundraiser and so we have some startup money in the bank. We have a dedicated committee and two partnering organizations that meet regularly (except in the last month.) And we have started to work with a family in the community.

Many of the women spoke about the growth in services over the last several years but also the challenges and continuing need in the growing communities in West Niagara.

At Home with Entrepreneurs

This morning I spoke to about 60 inspiring women entrepreneurs, all members of the Niagara Area Women's Network (NABWN). It felt like going home being surrounded by all of that enterprising, positive, creative, (and female) energy. The event started off with breakfast at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club and I sat with a group of eight vibrant women who were eager to network with each other and tell me about their businesses. I recognized many of the women from my work at Niagara College's Business Development Centre. It felt so good to see them there thriving in their business success.

When I was introduced and took the podium, I spoke about taking networking one step beyond and encouraged them to establish personal advisory groups. I told them about my success in business that I attribute to the "consultants" who were part of my Small Business Resource Group in Toronto, and the model of the Personal Advisory Group employed by the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE). There were lots of good questions and comments.

At the end of the meeting, each woman stood up and introduced themselves and their businesses. Some of them delivered "raves," testimonials about fellow NABWN friends. After the meeting, the room got very busy with women chatting it up and handing out their business cards. The networking really seems to work at NABWN.

It was a wonderful way to start the day and I hope they invite me back. I love that entrepreneurial energy and it fed my soul.

Acts of Kindness Create Community

Tonight I visited a member of the Liberal Party, to renew her membership. I have only met this woman a handful of times but we always hit it off. She has a dog of a breed (Shih Tzu) similar to mine (Lhasa Apso) and we chat about our dogs, our families, and of course, politics. It doesn't take long to figure out that this woman has a heart of gold and she talks about the friends she visits that are dying and how she focusses on all the positive things when she visits them, to cheer them. She has several grandchildren and she has embroidered them tablecloths, made them quilts and knitted them sweaters, socks, scarves and mitts.

Everytime I have visited her, she is knitting. I asked her tonight if she ever got tired of it and she said "Never." I asked her about the sweater she was knitting and I learned that indeed, she has a heart of gold. The sweater, she explained, was being made for next Christmas. For years, this woman has been knitting clothing for "the less fortunate" and every year, just before Christmas, her son puts all of her knitting in boxes and delivers them anonymously to a local charity.

Her friends find her the wool for her craft and she took great delight in telling me how one of her friends came over with her small car filled to the brim with all kinds of lovely brand new wool. Apparently, her friend was at a flea market, and when she told the seller about this woman's generosity and apparent mission in life to give anonymously, the seller gave her the wool.

Isn't is amazing how acts of kindness are contagious? Through this one woman's selfless giving, she has inspired others to do the same - her friend to look for wool, and the seller of the wool to donate it, and me to write about it. I left her home thinking about the many countless act of kindness that go on in our world that make it a better place.

Nomination Meeting Today

Today at 9 am in Grimsby, the Nomination Meeting took place for the riding of Niagara West-Glanbrook. This was the first Liberal Party Nomination Meeting to be held in Ontario! Despite the snow and treacherous roads, a surprising number of supporters came out to the meeting. I was acclaimed as the candidate and I am so proud to be the Liberal representative for NWG in this next election.

Our leader, Stephane Dion, dropped by to congratulate me and address our members and guests. It was such an honour to have him there and I was once again inspired by his vision and sincerity. I will never forget this day.

Thank you to all volunteers, members and guests who came out this morning, some from the far corners of the riding (and other ridings.) I really appreciated the effort you made to show your support for the riding, the democratic process, the Liberal Party and for me!

It is my great honour to be your Candidate.

Martha Hall Findlay Listening to Canadians

The four ridings in Niagara held a Policy Summit today in Welland. Martha Hall Findlay and John Maloney, MP for Welland, joined us for a good part of the day. Martha has been travelling across the country, listening to Canadians and learning about what is important to them. It is great to know that the party is building from the grassroots up. It was a really good day with lots of fabulous ideas and the participants excited and engaged.....what democracy should be.

I Think He Protests Too Much

You have to wonder, if Stephane Dion is not threatening to Stephen Harper, why would the Conservatives launch this unprecedented attack ad campaign before Dion and his team has had an opportunity to show themselves as the Opposition? There is only one reason: Harper and his Ministers are scared. And so they should be. Just before Christmas, the polls showed that the environment was the key issue for over 70% of Canadians. Harper’s “Clean Air Act” was an embarrassment to Canadians. The polls showed support for the Conservatives dropping and support for Dion and the Liberals on the rise.

As is typical of Harper, the poll numbers caused a swift response. In this case, it precipitated a sudden conversion and immediate reaction. “The so-called climate change” became important. Over the holidays, Ambrose was fired, John Baird was hired to replace her and all of a sudden, the Conservatives, acting like born-again environmentalists, launched a green agenda.

Harper campaigned on 5 priorities. Canadians are beginning to see that, in reality, he has only one: to get re-elected. And he will use any means he needs to get there. The question now is whether Canadians will see this latest ploy to bolster support and this negative attempt to discredit Dion as over-the-top. The ads are significant in what they do not say: Dion has the Conservatives running scared. By attacking Dion out of the start-gate, their mantra of “We’re not afraid of Dion, We’re not afraid of Dion” speaks volumes. By insisting so passionately that Dion is not a good leader, Canadians will suspect the opposite it true. As they should. Liberals at the Leadership Convention opted for a man of integrity. Precisely what Harper is not. I think he protests too much.

Scientists Shed Light on Berm in Pelham

Tonight I introduced a panel of expert scientists to the STOP group of Pelham, the group opposed to the berm erected on a property on Church Street in Pelham this summer. The panel was comprised on Dr. Andy Laursen, Ryerson University, Dr. Lynda McCarthy, Ryerson University, Dr. Mohammed Dore, Brock University and Dr. Sophia Dore, CRA World. It was helpful for the STOP group to hear from an objective group about the science. There was lots of exchange, questions posed and answered, and plans to move ahead with a report to be sent to various government contacts. Mayor Dave was there along with about 40 people from the community.

South Africa Lessons

With the International Conference on AIDS taking place now in Toronto, I find myself reflecting on my experiences in South Africa. I made many trips to this wonderful country and hosted South African colleagues and friends here in Canada. The people had a great impact on me. I learned that they are a people of tremendous strength and optimism. Despite apartheid, aids, poverty, etc., people on the streets in the centres all over the country greet the world with smiles and a zest for life that is enviable. As I see their faces and hear their voices on TV, I am reminded of the lessons I learned in Africa. Interestingly, it was through the eyes of South Africans that I began to understand and appreciate who we are as Canadians.

On every encounter with the South Africans either here or in their country, our team was thanked for “our Canadian way.” The South Africans were deeply appreciative of the aid that we provided. They not only valued what we gave, but more importantly, how we gave it. The “how” was more important than the “what.” Canadian aid was different in that important way. I think this “how” is an important clue in defining ourselves as a nation.

Our Canadian way is often a quiet, gentle way. We do not have the loudest voice or the voice with the most power. Our Canadian way is sharing of information and providing help to determine how our methods and ways can be implemented in another culture. Our Canadian way is the acknowledgement that we, as Canadians, do not know the answers for the South Africans. We can share what we have done, and we can provide ideas and assistance, but ultimately, the decision must be theirs and theirs alone. Our Canadian way is the recognition that there are many ways in the world, and our way is just one. It is neither the best nor the only way. Our Canadian way is the acknowledgement that the learning involved in international projects is a two way street and that we learn just as much as the people that we assist.

I learned that Canada has an exceptional reputation in the world. Because our egos and our armies are not big, we are seen as tolerant people, able to see all sides to a conflict. Our open-mindedness comes from the fact that our people come from all over the world and that they hold on to their cultural and religious beliefs. We not only tolerate this diversity; we encourage it.

It was great to be part of these missions. I was so proud to be an ambassador for Canada, to be associated with all that it stood for. I would bring Canadian flag pins with me on my trips. No matter how many I would bring, I would run out. They were coveted by the South Africans because the Canadian flag meant something very special to them. They associated it with aid, with tolerance, and with a nation that is often called in to broker peace.

It has been a while since I have been to South Africa. I am not sure how our reputation is doing there. I am worried about our reputation in South Africa and in the rest of the world. During the last few months, the Canadian way has changed. We knew it was coming. Stephen Harper promised that things would be different. “We can create a country built on solid conservative values, not on expensive Liberal promises, a country the Liberals wouldn’t even recognize, the kind of country I want to lead.” (Stephen Harper, Leadership Convention Speech, March 19, 2004)

The changes have begun. If you have any doubt, just look at the front page news or turn on the television. We’re spending billions of dollars on military might that has no hope of winning a war. Bodies of our soldiers who have fought in wars are coming home daily. We have waded in with our American neighbours, picking sides and forming alliances against nations. Our traditional Canadian ways are morphing into something else, something that I am not sure that I could be really proud of.

It is not surprising that Stephen Harper was not at the Aids Conference. Our former Prime Minister’s commitment to solving some of the world’s most pressing issues is seen as “expensive Liberal promises.” Thank goodness there are other Canadian leaders at the Conference.

Mr. Harper has chosen this time to deal with northern sovereignty. Meanwhile, the world is noting his absence. Stephen Harper’s actions are changing the image of who we are and our reputation in the world. I do not want to follow.

No Help at the Pump from Harper

What happened to the Conservative 3-point plan for gas tax relief? In the 2004 election, Stephen Harper vowed to eliminate the 7 per cent GST on any portion of gas prices above 85 cents per litre. He also promised to halt Ottawa’s practice of applying the GST to the full price of gasoline, including federal and provincial excise taxes – the tax on tax.

It seems that things have changed now that the conservatives are in power.

Gas tax relief is not one of Harper’s five priorities. And the problem is one of balancing the books. His 1 percent cut in the GST across the board will cost an estimated $360 million a year in lost gasoline revenues. If Mr. Harper stopped heaping the GST on the full cost of gas, ending the “tax on tax,” the Canadian Taxpayers Federation calculates that it would cost the government an extra $540-million. That would take a big bite out of the budget.

It’s funny how things have changed, now that the conservatives are in power. A September 2005 (conservative) news release states, “The Conservative party is the only political party that favours lowering gas prices. Stephen Harper is the only leader who wants to lower high gas prices and the Conservative party is the only party standing up for Canadians and advocating lower, not higher, gas prices.”

This is yet another example of Stephen Harper making promises while in opposition with no realistic plans to honour them. Rather than indicating how he is going to help Canadians deal with higher gas prices in the long term, Harper’s response to date has been “get used to it.”

The Real Story About Tax Cuts

Tax cuts being announced this week are being touted as proof that the Conservative government is committed to help “hard working” Niagara West-Glanbrook residents. But, it is clear that Dean Allison is ‘standing up’ for some families more than others.

I am all for reducing the tax burden. Who wouldn’t be? But let’s put the Conservative government’s claims for their cuts into perspective.

The GST cut benefits those who earn and spend the most: it will save you 20 cents on a Timex, and $100 on a Rolex. For all the hype that came with it during the election campaign and ever since, two pennies on a cup of coffee will not be liberating anyone into an early retirement. Every serious economist in the country agrees that it is poor public policy and a misuse of about $4.5 billion in federal fiscal flexibility every year. To improve disposable income for “hard working” Canadians and help build greater productivity, the first target for tax reduction should be income taxes, not the GST consumption tax.

Here, again, let’s separate the spin of the Conservative government and not be fooled by clever politics over policy. It was the Liberal government that lowered the lowest income tax bracket to 15 from 16 per cent and raised by $500 the amount every Canadian can earn tax free in 2005. Those who filled out their tax forms this year noticed both of these Liberal changes immediately. The Conservative budget actually raises the lowest income tax rate up to 15.5 per cent and lowers the basic personal exemption amount by $400, beginning July 1^st.

Let’s be clear: taxes for the lowest income Canadians are going up, not down. The basic personal exemption will decrease $200 in 2006, translating into approximated 150,000 people being put back on the tax rolls this year. This means a tax hike of about $31 per taxpayer for 2006, increasing to $62 in 2007.

Almost half of Canadian families earn less than $40,000, yet they will receive only 20 per cent of the benefit of the Conservative tax cuts, an average of just over $163. On the other hand, the 5 per cent of families earning over $150,000 a year will receiver nearly 30 per cent of the benefits – adding up to an average of over $2,010 in savings each year.

The $1,000 Canada Employment Tax Credit does not represent $1,000 in the pockets of taxpayers. Tax credits are multiplied by the lowest bracket rate, which means this measure will net $155 per year to all taxpayers. This credit is almost completely canceled out by the income tax hike. Again, this tax measure sounds good until you look at the real savings.

The Universal Child Care Benefit provides the clearest example of how this government’s plan is not “family friendly” at all. $100 a month hardly provides a universal solution. Just what is “universal” about it? How do parents with children over the age of six (who still need care when parents are working) benefit? And, what about the families that need help the most? A new national study reported in the Toronto Star yesterday, reports that Canada’s neediest children in Canadian families have the toughest time getting regulated daycare. Throwing $100 to families for each child under the age of six to spend as they please clearly does nothing to address the most needy of our country, and again, represents a short-sighted and politically-motivated approach. The study goes on to reports that inadequate and uneven levels of child-care service will continue if the federal-provincial child care funding agreements are cancelled, as planned. It is difficult to see how $100 a month can even be proposed as a means to support child care choices, when $100 will not cover child care expenses for a week for one child, let alone for a year.

In summary, this government’s legislative initiatives do not put money back into the pockets of all Niagara West-Glanbrook residents, “hard working” Canadians. In fact, it is hard to imagine a set of tax measures more slanted to wealthy taxpayers. There is wide consensus that the Conservatives’ tax plan will largely benefit higher income families over those who need the most help – low- and middle-income Canadians.

100 Days: Harper Lies About Priorities

Prime Minister Stephen Harper campaigned on a short list of five priorities. These were repeated during the campaign until those of us who were paying attention could spout them off easily. Either Stephen Harper thinks that we have short memories or that we are easily bamboozled.

In the July issue of an obscure conservative journal, Stephen Harper boasts about his minority government’s achievements. “It’s been quite a ride ever since – with progress being made on all of our five priorities – from cleaning up the federal government, to cutting taxes, cracking down on crime, supporting families and strengthening our country at home and around the world” he writes.

Do you remember “strengthening the country” as one of the priorities? In fact, it never was. A substitution has taken place, another cleverly crafted message that hides the truth. Or perhaps it’s time to call it what it is. It is a lie. In this article, which Stephen himself has penned, he sneakily replaces “work with the provinces to establish a patient wait times guarantee” with “strengthening our country.” Perhaps he hopes that we won’t notice.

During the election campaign, I heard about the concerns of citizens of Niagara West-Glanbrook. Health care was at the top of the list. Voters told me about waiting times and quality of care issues, and the shortage of medical staff. In our riding that covers about 1,000 square kilometers and houses a large rural and senior population, health care is understandably of primary concern.

During a conference call last week, federal Health minister Tony Clement insisted no additional money would be forthcoming to shorten wait times. Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman said he was “awestruck” by Clement’s attitude. He said “you cannot pretend there are not extraordinary additional costs associated with it.”

However, we cannot be totally surprised that the money is not forthcoming from Clement’s Ministry. Mr. Clement earned the nickname Two Tier Tony while at Queen’s Park for his ringing endorsement of a two-tier health system. And, he has been a little busy over the last while looking after his own personal investment in a Toronto based pharmaceutical company – and a serious conflict of interest, and he is in the middle of a scandal involving the awarding of a $25,000 sole-sourced contract to his long-time friend and aide Gordon Haugh.

Before any of us swallow more self-congratulatory remarks about the first 100 days of the conservative’s minority government, let’s ask what happened to the simple five priorities. In particular, what happened to the most important issue to most citizens of Niagara West-Glanbrook, health care?

Shaky Start to "New Government"

Stephen Harper ran a slick campaign, touting accountability and promising the “New Accountability Act” as his first piece of business for the new conservative government. Well this was day one of the new “accountable” government under the leadership of Stephen Harper, and it’s off to a shaky – and ominous – start. If this is any indication of what’s in store for Canadians, we’re in real trouble.

It hasn’t taken Stephen Harper long to disappoint voters – even loyal conservatives. This was a government that was going to make vast changes to the way in which senate members were chosen. “A new conservative government would see senate members elected, not appointed” said Mr. Harper during the campaign. On February 6th, barely 2 weeks after winning the election, Harper announced that Michel Fortier would be our new senate member. In other words, as one of the first orders of business, our new Prime Minister took the very action he was critical of, just days before. Does he really believe that Canadians have short memories? Perhaps he believes we’re just stupid.

During the campaign, Mr. Harper was critical of ministers who crossed the house floor, particularly those who changed sides for political gain. The conservatives were indignant with the suggestion that Grewel was being lured to the liberals, with promises of a cabinet position. Stephen Harper refused to cooperate with the Ethics Commissioner regarding the Grewel incident, saying he was too busy to answer any questions between August and November. This, in spite of the fact that Harper was implicated in Grewel’s own testimony.

On his first day as Prime Minister, after promises to clean up government and coincidentally, a report that found that Grewel’s tapes were manufactured and that allegations of enticements from the liberals were unfounded, Stephen Harper announced with great pride that he, himself, approached David Emerson, Liberal MP from B.C. to become his newest Cabinet Minister. In other words, our new Prime Minister boasted about the fact that he encouraged Emerson to cross the floor, an action he was critical of just weeks before.

I was disappointed in the results of this election. I hoped that Canadians would see beyond the glitz of a polished Stephen Harper campaign to the real substance of a neo-conservative who doesn’t know the meaning of accountability. However, I was also hoping that he would rise to the challenge of moving from critic to leader and honour his promises. Alas, my hopes are dashed and it’s just day one.

'Speaking Liberally' Fall 2005 Edition Announcement of Niagara Federal Candidates

Speaking Liberally Newsletter: Fall 2005