Thank you Ottawa West-Nepean!





Well, it wasn't the result we were hoping for, but for all youth who helped Anita out, we have every reason to be proud. We helped out a candidate who was incredibly committed to youth engagement, and who had youth in a driving role of her campaign.


This election, we listened to people who had never been heard before.


This election, we gave a voice to people who never thought they would speak up.


This election, we talked about real issues to the people of Ottawa West-Nepean, and on behalf of the entire Youth for Anita team, I thank you very much for following our blog, and for being an engaged citizen.

Young Liberals making the difference across Ottawa!


Young Liberals hit the streets in Orleans today on a beautiful Ottawa day, not a cloud in the sky. In the tight seat of Ottawa-Orleans, Young Liberal efforts like the 100,000 Doors campaign will make a huge difference in tight seats across Canada getting Liberals elected.

We're at the Anita Vandenbeld campaign HQ now, having just grabbed some delicious BBQ, and we're heading out the doors now to go and beat Baird. If you're reading this, stop and head out the door and help elect your local Liberal candidate. Youth can win the day in the fight for a better Canada.

Young Liberals will blitz Ottawa tomorrow!

Big Young Liberal happenings tomorrow in Ottawa.

First, come on out to Orleans for a morning canvass in Ottawa-Orleans (the campaign office is right by the Transitway, easy to get to) and help out David Bertschi as part of the 8 Ridings in 7 days OYL Blitz!

Then head over to Ottawa West-Nepean for the last big push in our efforts to beat Baird!
Join us for a free BBQ and a blitz at 1:30.

Young Liberals will make a difference in Ottawa!

Angry Bairds! Play and share!

The Young Liberals have released a hilarious new game with a special relevance on Ottawa West-Nepean: Angry Bairds!


If you've played Angry Birds or Crush the Castle, you know how to play. Help Harper launch Baird and take on issues like women's rights, the environment, and democracy!

Public Service Alliance of Canada endorses Anita!

http://bit.ly/mB1330

Against a government which has intimidated and fired public servants for doing their job, and whose numbers on public service cuts simply cannot be trusted, Anita has worked hard to listen to Canadian families that rely on the civil service for economy security. She has said she will protect the interests of the thousands of families who work in the public service and who form a huge part of the Ottawa West-Nepean community.

Now, the Public Service Alliance of Canada is recognizing Anita's efforts, endorsing her earlier today:

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is urging its members and the general public to support Liberal candidate Anita Vandenbeld in Ottawa West Nepean when they go out to vote on Monday May 2. The endorsement is the recommendation of the Ottawa Area Council (OAC) of the PSAC.

"Anita supports the union's call for a national childcare program and if elected she is committed to reestablishing pay equity in the public service," said Maria Fitzpatrick, Regional Executive Vice-President of the PSAC for the National Capital Region. "She has promised to protect the public service from cuts, as well as to respect the role that public service workers play across the country."

Vandenbeld wants to stop further corporate tax giveaways to the richest and most profitable corporations and instead wants to use the savings to strengthen our public pension system and our health care system.

There are approximately 59,000 PSAC members in the National Capital Region with over 3,000 living in Ottawa West Nepean
.

With just days left in the campaign, the PSAC endorsement shows Anita has momentum and is the progressive choice in Ottawa West-Nepean

Knocking Down Harper - New Young Liberal video



Great new video by the Young Liberals of Canada in support of the 100,000 Doors campaign, calling on Young Liberals across Canada to knock on 100,000 doors in the last days of the campaign. Youth have played a huge role in Anita's campaign in Ottawa West-Nepean, and we'll be out knocking on lots of doors and listening to families across our great riding.

Regardless of where you are as you read this, know that you have a Liberal campaign in your riding you can get involved with to make a better Canada. Rise up!

Thanks for watching!

Anita was great in the debate tonight, particularly when she called on Baird to explain why he had personally diverted the tax dollars of Canadian families which had been earmarked for border security to keep them safe were instead used to build gazebos and a fake lighthouse in Tony Clement's riding.

If you missed the debate, you can catch it at midnight tonight, or 9 am Saturday morning.

Less than an hour to go before you can watch the debate!



In just under an hour, you can see how Anita took on John Baird on the big issues in Ottawa West-Nepean. She presented a positive vision of engagement and respect, just as she has throughout the campaign. Make sure to tune in at 7pm on Rogers channel 22, and follow along for live updates from twitter.com/OWN_Anita

Watch Anita take on John Baird tonight!

The Ottawa West-Nepean all candidates debate being broadcast tonight, and Anita really took it to Baird on issues like health care, Nortel, and job creation. You can watch Anita show why she would make an excellent MP for Ottawa West-Nepean tonight at 7pm on Rogers channel 22.

We hope you turn in, and let us know what you think of Anita's performance. Baird may be loud in the House, but he's quiet when speaking up for the families of Ottawa West-Nepean on issues like health care and child care.

Commit to vote Liberal!

The Liberal Party has dominated the social media game so far this election, and now it's time to turn that into action! With less than a week to go in the campaign, it's time to commit to vote Liberal and vote for Anita!

You can show your support by following the instructions at lpc.ca/commit, which will hook you up with special profile pics for Facebook, and help you spread the word about the May 2nd election.

So go forth, social media it up, and make sure to commit to vote Liberal on May 2nd!

Check out new endorsements on Anita's website!

Check out www.electanita.ca right now to see glowing endorsements of Anita from Bob Chiarelli, Marlene Catterall, and former Ottawa deputy police chief Larry Hill!

Last day of advance polls! Get out and avoid the lines!

Today is the last day of advance voting, so get out and avoid the lines!

Pop your postal code into the Elections Canada website and find your advance poll!

http://elections.ca/scripts/pss/FindED.aspx?L=e

Let us know if you need a ride to the polls!

Must see TV! Michael Ignatieff's Town Hall for Canada!

http://www.liberal.ca/tv/

"Michael Ignatieff's Town Hall for Canada" features an up-close-and-personal look at Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Party’s plan to strengthen families and defend Canada’s health care system.

You can catch it here in Ontario at 12 noon on Global, and 2 pm on CityTV.

Getting the vote out in Caldwell, making the difference

Busy day on the campaign trail today, the second day of advance voting. With Friday and Monday also being holidays, today was the day to get voters to the polls.

I was out pulling out votes in the Caldwell Avenue area. This is a mixed-income, very multicultural area that traditionally has unfortunately had a low voter turnout. However, the core issues Anita is campaigning on, like strong schools and hospitals, and having a responsive local MP resonate strongly here.

As an individual canvasser, it's also humbling knowing that you're making a difference by going to a place like this. The Conservatives look at at area like this on their divide and conquer micro-targeting sheets, and say "Next!" Liberals look at a area full of diversity and opportunity but seems politically disengaged as an opportunity to listen.

I had dozen of Canadians tell me that this was the first time they had ever seen someone from a political campaign drop by, and how impressed they were with Anita's team for trying to win every vote by listening to every voter.

If even one first-time voter feels engaged in politics, and feels like they deserve an MP who listens to them, and goes and votes, it was worth it.

Vote for Anita today!

The time has come! Advance polls are open and you can go and vote for Anita in Ottawa West-Nepean today!

We sent out information to voters in Ottawa West-Nepean about advance poll locations, but you can check your location here on the Elections Canada website: http://elections.ca/scripts/pss/finded.aspx?L=e

Just enter your postal code and it'll tell you where to vote.

If Anita is going to win, youth need to turn out! Youth had the lowest voter turnout on record last election, so it's time to stand up for ourselves and take control of our future! Get out and vote!

Join Michael Ignatieff for a Facebook chat tomorrow!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=218043994872402


While Harper continues his bubble campaign, Liberals are listening.


Follow the link to leave a question for Michael Ignatieff, or chat live with him on Facebook from 1:30-2:30.




Families and pensioners come second for Conservatives



"Business first, families and pensioners second"

Do you think you deserve to come first?

Ottawa West-Nepean hardest place in the city to find child care

http://ottawa.openfile.ca/ottawa/file/2011/04/child-care-across-ottawa

This according to OpenFile, which did a statistical report on child care centres across every Ottawa riding. Infant care is lagging behind other ridings:


While neighbourhoods such as Hintonburg, Civic Hospital and Mechanicsville have few licensed daycares that accept children under 18 months of age, those daycares are generally more abundant in Ottawa Centre—where there are 12 such centres for a population of 109,336.

By comparison, Ottawa West-Nepean has a population of 109,735 and three centres serving the same age group. Each of those three centres—Algonquin College, Woodroffe High School and Municipal Home Care—give priority to certain groups such as employees, students or Ontario Works clients.


When I was out canvassing with Anita last night, we spoke with a man who said he was paying more for child care than he was his mortgage. I joked that I was shocked that Harper's $100 a month wasn't helping him much, and he agreed wholeheartedly, saying it demonstrated how out of touch with working families the Conservatives have gotten. Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve better.

Choose your favourite anti-public health care Stephen Harper quote!

http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/blog/favourite-stephen-harper-quote-health-care/ Follow the link and vote away! The winner will be in a Liberal Party ad.

A DIY Liberal campaign!

Hey, a lot of us are students writing exams right now, or we're working. As much as we'd love to help out great Liberal candidates like Anita Vandenbeld, we're a little busy right now.

That's why I love the Liberal Do-it-yourself campaign pack

It has a few things you can do that just take a few minutes to help out Anita or any other Liberal candidates, like adding a Twibbon (a Twitter ribbon to add to your avatar, for those who don't regularly think in 140 characters), printing out a Liberal sign, and printing out and handing out our national campaign literature about the Liberal Family Pack.

Another important think it mentions is social media! Don't forget to follow us online!

Anita's personal Twitter is http://twitter.com/#!/anitavandenbeld

So print out some signs/literature, and tweet away for a better Canada!

"Rise up Canada!" a great speech from Michael Ignatieff


Powerful words from Michael Ignatieff on fighting "so what" culture. Canadians deserve better.

Here is a great write-up from Macleans: http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/04/16/the-commons-rise-up/

Join us tomorrow for the nomination of the Hon. Bob Chiarelli and a canvass blitz!

With just 17 days to go before election day, we're having one of the biggest events of the campaign; the nomination of the Hon. Bob Chiarelli, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean. Join us at Our Lady of Fatima Church 153 Woodroffe Ave. (right across from our campaign office) at 2pm, then head out with a strong team of Ottawa West-Nepean Liberals!

John Baird can't run from his record: Cap & Trade flip-flop

In the Ed Board discussion the other day for Ottawa West-Nepean, John Baird claimed that the Conservatives had always opposed cap & trade. That sounded fishy, and the Ottawa Citizen did a fact check, revealing a flip-flop on John Baird's part. http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/edboard/archive/2011/04/15/john-baird-rewrites-history.aspx Here's the Conservative throne speech in 2008: "We will work with the provincial governments and our partners to develop and implement a North America-wide cap and trade system for greenhouse gases" Jim Prentice in 2009: "It has been our stated intent, from the outset, to eventually move to a hard cap and trade regime...it is our view that a key objective should be a common cap and trade system" Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve an MP and government that will work for the environment and clean air for families to breathe, not John Baird's flip-flops.

Conservatives want to throw out youth votes

I knew the Conservatives didn't want youth to vote, but actually nullifying the ballot? That's what the Conservatives have asked for after a special ballot at the University of Guelph.


http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/517010--conservatives-ask-elections-canada-to-nullify-votes-cast-of-u-of-g-wednesday




No votes cast Wednesday in a special ballot at the University of Guelph should stand, according to the Conservative Party of Canada...The move has generated considerable controversy at the university, home of the first youth "vote mob" encouraging students to vote.


The Conservatives are claiming interference with the ballot box, and many students agree with them. Only problem is, it looks like it might have been the Conservatives who were doing it!




Several University of Guelph students claim Michael Sona, the communications director for Guelph Conservative candidate Marty Burke, attempted to put a stop to voting at the special ballot held Wednesday. The students say Sona approached the Elections Canada balloting site claiming that the process unfolding at the location was illegal and at one point reached for but never took possession of a container with ballots.

“He tried to grab for the ballot box. I’m not sure he got his hand on the box, but he definitely grabbed for it,” said Brenna Anstett, a student, who at the time of the reported incident was sealing her second of two envelopes containing her vote.

Student Claire Whalen was just about to receive her ballot just before 5 p.m. when the episode unfolded.

“That’s when a guy came up and said it was an illegal polling station and that he was confiscating the ballots. And then he tried to take (the ballot box),” Whalen said.

Whalen also identified the man as Sona.

New Liberal ad on health care



Hard hitting Liberal ad on health care.

Watch the Ottawa West-Nepean Ottawa Citizen Ed Board live!

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Live+Stream+Ottawa+West+Nepean+candidates/4614780/story.html Watch Anita take on John Baird live at the Ottawa Citizen editorial board! Just click the link and it'll take you right inside.

VANDENBELD DEMANDS EXPLANATION FROM BAIRD ON DIVERSION OF PUBLIC FUNDS

(Note: This went out yesterday but between exams and debate prep, we didn't have a chance to post it)


OTTAWA, April 12, 2011 –

Anita Vandenbeld, Federal Liberal candidate for Ottawa West-Nepean, today called on John Baird to explain to voters why he diverted funds from border infrastructure to toilets in Muskoka.


Ms. Vandenbeld is responding to Auditor General Sheila Fraser’s leaked report, which said that the Conservative government had misled Parliament about the spending of a $149.9 million infrastructure fund. Parliament approved the money for reducing congestion and improving safety and security at the border. Instead Baird admitted yesterday that he personally approved reallocating funds to fake lighthouses, gazebos, public toilets and “beautification” projects in a Conservative-held riding 300 kilometres away from any border.


“Mr. Baird should know that this is public money, not his personal fund”, said Ms. Vandenbeld, “If you were given a budget from your employer to spend on one thing, and you use it for something else without getting the approval of the proper authorities, you’d be fired. I think Mr. Baird needs to explain himself to the voters of Ottawa West-Nepean. Elections and democracy are not just a distraction – it is how taxpayers can ensure that money goes where it is supposed to”.


Ms. Vandenbeld is calling for a release of the Auditor General’s final report before the May 2nd election, so that the public can get the whole truth about this misallocation of funds.


-30-


Contact: Patrick Storr, Campaign Manager Anita Vandenbeld Campain 613-789-VOTE (8683)

Great youth and Anita support at English leaders debate!


English leaders debate was pretty awesome, we had tons of Anita signs around and lots of great Young Liberals out to rally for us. In keeping with a great tradition, the Young Liberals had some good costumes, including myself as the fake lake, a billionaire for Harper (Monopoly man), a Harper chicken, and Stephen Harper as the King of Corruption and Patronage. It was a great night, and we can't wait for the French debate.


Vote mob video!



Had a great time with hundreds of other Ottawa youth. Looking forward to going to vote!

"I win when you stay home"

New campaign from the Young Liberals of Canada. http://www.ylc-jlc.ca/home_e.aspx

Tories misled Parliament on G8 spending blitz

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-misled-parliament-on-g8-spending-auditor-general/article1979865/


I've said it before on this blog, and I'll say it again: these guys really don't like you knowing how your tax dollars are being spent. While Liberals will invest in families, what was Stephen Harper scheming to spend your money on?

The Auditor-General says the Harper government misinformed Parliament to win approval for a $50-million G8 fund that lavished money on dubious projects in a Conservative riding. And she suggests the process may have been illegal... It reveals that Industry Minister Tony Clement, the mayor of Huntsville and the general manager of Deerhurst Resort chose the 32 projects that received funding – with no regard for the needs of the summit or the conditions laid down by the government.


Canadian families deserve a government that will support them and help them grow, not make $50 million of your tax dollars disappear in a poof of partisan and possibly illegal spending.


Canadian families deserve support now

The Conservatives want Canadian families to wait in line for help after hitting them in the wallet for corporate handouts, warplanes, and sketchy prison scheming. Liberals believe that families come first.

http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/conservative-platform-puts-billions-corporations-jets-jails-families-health-care/

Mr. Harper is making families wait for five years behind out-of-control spending on jets, jails and corporations – and will only help them if he balances the budget,” said Mr. McGuinty. “Even then, he’s only offering to help families that are already well off.” Stephen Harper has never met a single deficit reduction target he’s set, and the Parliamentary Budget Officer and the International Monetary Fund said his deficit reduction targets are just not credible. Stephen Harper took a $13-billion Liberal surplus and turned it into a deficit before the recession hit, en route to the largest deficit in Canadian history at $56 billion. After adding $106 billion to the national debt, he is on track to adding another $200 billion over the next five years. “The Liberal Party will help average Canadian families right away with the cost of child care, post-secondary education, family care, pensions, and cutting high energy costs,” he said. “And unlike the Conservatives, we can keep our promises because our platform is full-costed and credible.”


Click the link for more info.

BBQ & Blitz and Ottawa Vote mob tomorrow!

Two great events for youth going on in Ottawa tomorrow!

First, join Team Anita at our campaign office at 9:30 for a canvass blitz followed by a BBQ for all our volunteers!

Then head over to U of O for the Ottawa answer to all those youth vote videos. Remember, John Baird doesn't even know what a flash mob is!

Looking forward to seeing a great youth turnout at both events!

John Baird might not know what a flash mob is, but we do!

John Baird, in his attack filled press conference a few days ago where he justified the Conservatives kicking political engaged youth out of rallies said that the idea of a flash mob was "disconcerning" and that he didn't know what it was.

Thankfully, we try to be a little more hip to what the kids are saying these days. Seems the whole "listening" thing works better than banning youth.

http://on.fb.me/exDQBk

Come out this Saturday at 4:30 at Taberet Lawn at U of O. Wear red and white, bring Canadian flags. We'll be there!

New Anita website is up!

Check out the shiny new http://www.electanita.ca/! Has lots of great information on local priorities, Anita's position on the big issues, and how to get in touch with us.

Profile of Anita in The Citizen!

http://bit.ly/hfNEgz Here's the profile of Anita in the Ottawa Citizen, take a read and share!

Youtube video to go with your "Stop Facebook creeping us Harper" profile pic

Stop Facebook creeping us Harper!

Stephen Harper doesn't have a problem with having a 5 time fraudster as a top advisor for 2 years and paying them with your tax dollars: http://www.leaderpost.com/aide+criminal+past+dogs+Harper+campaign+trail/4561709/story.html

But if you're Facebook friends with a Liberal? You're outta there! http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/04/04/17875211.html

Change your profile picture to the pic above if you agree that youth should be encouraged to participate in the political process and that convicted fraudsters don't deserve to be paid for out of your wallet.

Conservatives kick youth out for having a profile pic they don't like

http://bit.ly/eljV7R

We knew the difference between Michael Ignatieff and Stephen Harper when it comes to listening to Canadians. While Michael Ignatieff has taken thousands of unscreened questions from Canadians (plenty of them from youth), Stephen Harper only takes 4 questions a day from professional journalists.

But now the Conservatives are taking control and showing contempt for the Canadian people to a new degree: Tossing youth out of an event for the high crime of having a Facebook profile picture they don't like.

Awish Aslam, a 19-year-old University of Western Ontario student, said she wept after getting the boot.

"I've never voted in a federal election before," she said. "We just repeated we were only there to listen."

Aslam and a friend registered online to attend Harper's Sunday rally - part of the restrictions the Conservatives place on such events.

About 30 minutes after arriving and signing in, the two girls were asked by a man to follow him out of the rally, Aslam said. Though confused, they complied.

In a back room, Aslam said he ripped off their name tags, tore them up and ordered them out.

"We were confused. He said, 'We know you guys have ties to the Liberal party through Facebook'. He said ... 'You are no longer welcome here.'"

Another attendee, Ali Aref Hamadi, said he was asked by an organizer to leave the same rally because of an NDP bumper sticker on his vehicle.

The ejections are further black eyes for the Conservatives, already taking flak for restricting access to Harper.

Canadians deserve a Prime Minister who will listen to them, and Ottawa West-Nepean deserves an MP who will stand for open government.

Spreading the word at the bus stop


With the Liberals getting plenty of visibility in the Metro today, the Anita team took to the bus stops of Ottawa West-Nepean to spread the word about the Liberal Family Pack, and to introduce hard working Canadians to Anita.

At Lincoln Fields we met with a voter who was so impressed with Anita that he told us he wanted to volunteer, and at Bayshore Anita had a good discussion about the need for strong pensions for all Canadian workers.

The weather might not be the greatest today, but that won't slow us down in the task of delivering an MP who listens.

A great day in Ottawa West-Nepean


Today was our official campaign launch, and it was a great one. Larry Hill, Marlene Catterall and Bob Chiarelli all spoke before Anita and talked about the great work she has done listening to the community.


Anita took the stage to huge cheers, and told everyone how grateful she was for her support of everyone in the room, and how much good work we've done so far. She talked about the importance of running to be the people's representive, and how inspired she has been by the stories of everyday, hard working Canadians. An elderly woman who lives in the house her late husband build for her decades ago, and needs home care. A single mother of three who deserves child care, and education opportunities for her children. A gentleman who had to sell his prized guitar because he lost his job. He deserves a quality job.


After the speech, several canvass teams went out, and our campaign keeps rolling along. Be sure to check out our Facebook page for more photos coming soon!

Getting out, listening to the community


Had a great community canvass today with the Hon. Bob Chiarelli, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean today. Prior to that, Anita was once again at the Tim Hortons at Carlingwood Mall, where she talked with dozens of ordinary, hard working Canadians (3 of whom also brought donations!) about the issues that matter to them, like health care and home care. Listening to the community is such a huge part of the vision and message of our campaign. After 5 years of an MP who seems more interested in yelling at us, Ottawa West-Nepean deserves an MP who listens.


Out on the doorsteps, we keep hearing some of the same stories. Seniors concerned about pensions. Civil servants worried about job security under the Harper regime. Parents who wants to make sure their children get a good education and can take care of their parents. And more and more people who know Anita, and like what she stands for.


We talked to a Revenue Canada employee on Strathmore, fearful about her job security if Harper continues on course toss civil servants on the unemployment lines, and who could speak in a position of some authority that corporate handouts paid for from your wallet won't help the economy.


We talked to a gentleman on Ridley, who said he normally voted Conservative, but agreed with us that after 5 years, it was time for a change. He enthusiastically said we would have his support and said he would take a lawn sign.


The momentum continues to build, and we hope we can see you all come out to the official campaign launch tomorrow: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=158467804215140&index=1


SUNDAY APRIL 3

3 PM

911 RICHMOND ROAD

Liberals looking for new ways to listen - great ideas and energy at social media team meeting

Had a great sit down with some volunteers tonight about how to most effectively use social media during the campaign, and in particular, how to use it to better listen to voters. You can always ask us anything on Twitter or Facebook, we want to listen to you. Our Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Anita-Vandenbeld-for-Ottawa-West-Nepean/117490804958455 Anita's personal Twitter is www.twitter.com/anitavandenbeld The campaign team Twitter is www.twitter.com/OWN_Anita Don't forget to follow the Eastern Region Young Liberals too, http://www.facebook.com/easternregionyoungliberals and www.twitter.com/EasternOYL Let us know if you want to get involved with our social media team!

Campaign launch this Sunday with the Hon. Judy Sgro!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158467804215140&index=1

Come and help out this weekend as your OWN candidate, Anita Vandenbeld, launches her official campaign at 3pm on Sunday, April 3rd at our campaign office (911 Richmond Road).

We have been getting fantastic support from the community and we'll be counting on our volunteers more now than ever. Even if you can only spare a few hours a week we'd love to have you - every little bit helps!

The launch will feature remarks from Anita as well as a special guest: The Honourable Judy Sgro, Opposition Critic for Seniors & Pensions for the Liberal Party of Canada.

We want to have a strong youth team out for Anita, some come join the team that will beat Baird!

Liberals are listening - and we want to hear from you on Sunday for the platform townhall!

http://www.liberal.ca/live/ While Conservatives like John Baird are more interested in yelling at you, Liberals are listening. Click the link above to RSVP to a special live town hall with Michael Ignatieff as he unveils the Liberal platform and takes your questions. Liberals have already committed to investing in learning and families with fresh ideas like the Learning Passport, the Liberal Family Home Care Plan, and the Early Childhood Learning and Care Fund, so join with us this Sunday to see how the Liberals will move Canada forward.

New campaign Twitter account - please follow @OWN_Anita

www.twitter.com/own_anita Please follow this volunteer run account to get updates straight from the campaign trail! We're really stepping up our social media efforts and want to hear from you!

Learning Passport speaks to me

http://bit.ly/fMe5v9 I'm not going to break out the Kinnock/Biden line about coal miners and being the first in my family to go to school due to it being, you know, not true, but the Learning Passport announced by the Liberal Party today really does speak to me. My family has always placed a high value on education. We might come from humble means, but my parents were both always proud of having attained higher education, and instilling in both myself and my sister the value of learning and higher education. These values of self-improvement and advancing yourself are true Canadian values. However, neither myself or my sister would have had the opportunity to attend post-secondary school without things like OSAP, scholarships, grants, and bursaries, so the Liberal Party making the largest annual investment in non-repayable federal student assistance in Canadian history is a great thing for students. Youth and education should come before hitting your wallet for corporate tax breaks and uncounted prison scheming.

Catch Anita on CBC at 5:15!

Anita will be interviewed by CBC Radio 1 at 5:15, make sure to listen!

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Local_News/Ottawa/ID=1247712664

Iris St: A small-scale Ottawa West-Nepean

Just got back from canvassing Iris St with Anita, with pretty positive results. The issues and concerns that families have on this street really the ones that are important for the riding as a whole. We got more than a few sign requests, and lots of voters agree with us that they deserve an MP who listens to them, not one that just yells at them.

On a more personal level, hearing the stories of individual Canadians and hard-working families really inspired me. Anita spoke to a group of a four young nursing students who were excited to start a life in the health care sector, but were worried about the future of our public health care system. They were very happy to hear that Anita and the Liberal Party will take a strong stand to ensure our health care system will remain public and affordable.

The Conservatives say this election is all about the economy, and plenty of voters agreed - voters like the many civil servants we spoke to who are concerned about economic security for their families with jobs and pensions for public service workers who live in Ottawa West-Nepean at risk under Harper. Anita and the Liberals will be proud of the thousands of hard-working Canadian families who work in the public service in Ottawa West-Nepean, not put them on the firing line just to satisfy Conservative partisans.

Anita is in a campaign meeting right now with dozens of volunteers, then we'll be heading back out talking to (and more importantly) listening to voters and families.

1 down - 35 to go!




Great first day for the Anita campaign. We started off in the morning with dozens of campaign volunteers in the office listening to Anita's inspiring speech, and then hit the doors running. I personally canvassed 2 polls yesterday, and Ottawa West-Nepean families agree that after 5 years of an MP who spends his time yelling at you, they deserve an MP who listens to them.

In between a couple of canvasses, Anita's youth team was very well represented at the first big rally of the Liberal campaign, joining with over 1,000 Liberals across the national capital region.

I'm at the campaign office right now just about to head out to the doors, so join with us and help beat Baird!

Ottawa Citizen article with Anita!


The Anita media blitz continues, with a great article in the Citizen about some local candidates, with Anita leading right off the bat!


Anita Vandenbeld was picked in November to represent the Liberals in Ottawa West-Nepean. She will be running against high-profile Conservative John Baird.

“We did canvassing training this week. Saturday morning we will be setting up a big canvassing blitz,” she said. “We have our brochures, we have our signs, everything is ready to go.”

Vandenbeld, who opened her campaign office on Richmond Road earlier this week, said she already has a staff of several hundred volunteers anxious to participate.

“I think people are quite optimistic and enthusiastic,” she said. Donations have started rolling in, but Vandenbeld says she intends to send out a fundraising letter to her base in the near future.

Our youth team makes the news

Canadian Press story which ran nation-wide about the impending fall of the Harper regime featured a little bit about the Anita Vandenbeld youth team:


"The Liberal non-confidence motion reads: "That the House agrees with the finding of the standing committee on procedure and House affairs that the government is in contempt of Parliament, which is unprecedented in Canadian parliamentary history, and consequently, the House has lost confidence in the government."

While the writ has yet to drop, the parties had all swung into election mode by midday Wednesday...the Liberals dogged an event in Tory MP John Baird's riding handing out campaign literature."


If John Baird thinks he can skate to re-election on a budget that does nothing for Ottawa West-Nepean, he's wrong.

The "Way to go Jimmy!" budget

"Way to go Jimmy!"

That's what Steve Paikin reports John Baird said to Jim Flaherty after presenting the Harper regime tough on wallet's scheming for the next year.

And what is it that makes John Baird so happy?

Maybe it's spending 1000x more of your tax dollars on warplanes than on post-secondary students.

Maybe it's spending 1000x more of your tax dollars on prison scheming than crime prevention programs that keep families safe.

Maybe it's spending more of your tax dollars on the G20 for one weekend than on Canadian seniors.

John Baird says the Harper regime is doing a great job. We say hard working Canadian families deserve better, like investments in family home care, strong pensions that Canadian families (not just "pathetic" Nortel pensioners) can rely on, support for higher education and families with children in school, and quality child care.

Election or no election, we'll be working in Ottawa West-Nepean to present a positive alternative.

Great video of Anita canvassing with youth team!



From Capital News Online. And don't forget to check out our canvassing training session this Tuesday evening: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137879729614069&index=1 and our canvass blitz this Saturday: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205389192820233

Join us for canvassing training and a canvassing blitz!

The Anita Vandenbeld team is working hard talking to hard working Canadian families and listening to the scandal ridden Harper regime, but we need your help!

This week, we've got two great canvassing events coming up. On Tuesday evening, we're having a canvassing training session with Marlene Catterall, former MP for Ottawa West-Nepean.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=137879729614069&index=1

And this Saturday, election or no election, we're having our first big canvassing blitz from the new campaign office! Come out for breakfast provided by the campaign, stay to knock on some doors and join the team that will beat Baird!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=205389192820233

A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian and the answer to Canada's democracy problem.


Michael Ignatieff is a Canadian, much the same as you and I. He has a background similar to many Canadians who have come to make Canada their home from another country because they saw the hope and equality of opportunity in our great nation. And he has a vision for Canada:


Anita Vandenbeld's story is another great Canadian story, as the daughter of immigrant parents who came to Canada to make a better life. And they did. She grew up with a determined and hardworking ethic, contributing successfully to both the business and government worlds. She worked at multiple jobs to put herself through school. Her hard work and dedication paid off and brought her to working for the United Nations to promote democracy and women's rights around the world.

Because of this work, Anita knows that you deserve better than this lack of demoracy and believes that you deserve an MP who listens to you, and a government that works for your priorities, defends democratic principles and provides representation for you. John Baird is off defending Minister Oda and the PMO's corruption, scandals, lack of transparancy and accountability instead of listening to the constituents of Ottawa West-Nepean. Even in 2009, John Baird admitted they will "replace accountability with corruption":


Enough!

In Stephen Harper's own words:

Ottawa West-Nepean and Canada deserve better - Canadians Anita Vandenbeld and Michael Ignatieff are the answer.

New Liberal ads out - watch and share!

This one attacks Harper for thinking he can get away with abusing your Canadian democracy.


Michael Ignatieff talks about the need for a government that focuses on what hard-working Canadian families deserve, like better pensions and job opportunities, not hitting your wallet to hand out corporate tax breaks.

Harper hit the family budget to promote himself - $26 million worth

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/harper-governments-latest-ad-campaign-costs-taxpayers-26-million-117897189.html

At a time when gas prices are skyrocketing, the cost of food rising ever higher, what is the Harper regime doing for Canadian families?

Taking $26 million out of your pockets to pay for Harper's self-promoting partisan ad blitz.

The Harper regime is already taking $1,000 from every Canadian family to pay for warplanes it tried to hide the cost of, and they have been in contempt for refusing to let the Canadian people know how much the tough on wallets prison scheming will hit families. Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve better than a government that hits the family budget to pay for the Harper regime's self promoting politics.

Our democracy is not a game, John Baird

With the Conservative regime facing multiple violations after the Speaker's ruling, what did John Baird say today in Question Period when forced to defend the regime's actions?

He called being in contempt of Parliament, and violating the sacred trust that Canadians put in our elected bodies, "distractions".

What did his political boss Stephen Harper call our democracy? A "game".

Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve better than an MP and a regime that sees your democracy as a "game".

We said they thought they could get away with it...they can't

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/speaker-hits-tories-with-third-contempt-ruling-in-single-year/article1935375/

The Harper regime hit a wall today in it's ongoing battle with the public interest and letting you know what they are doing with your tax dollars.

"Speaker Peter Milliken has found the Conservatives in contempt of Parliament, handing powerful ammunition to opposition claims the Harper government’s autocratic behaviour represents an abuse of power...a powerful rebuke.

The Liberals asked Mr. Milliken to rule on whether International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda misled Parliament when she said she did not know who had altered a document that deprived a foreign-aid group of funding. Ms. Oda later told Parliament that it was she who had ordered the document be changed...The Liberals also accused the government of failing to provide sufficient information about the costs of its...prisons."

And of course, John "Bev Oda is doing a great job" Oda was standing behind his backroom political bosses and not standing up for the taxpayers and families of Ottawa West-Nepean, who deserve an MP who listens to them, and stands up for everyday concerns like the family budget and not handing out tax breaks to big corporations.

Statement by Michael Ignatieff on "IAW"

http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/statement-liberal-leader-michael-ignatieff-israeli-apartheid-week/

A strong statement from Michael Ignatieff on so-called "Israeli Apartheid Week".


“The voices of anti-Semitism and intolerance have no place in Canada, in the Middle East, or anywhere in the world. All Canadians – and all university students – have the right to feel safe and secure in our communities, regardless of who they are or what they believe.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our parliamentary caucus, I urge all Canadians to join with us in once again condemning Israeli Apartheid Week here in Canada and around the world.”

Harper's self promoting ad blitz hits your wallet

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economic-action-plan-ad-blitz-a-snow-job-on-the-taxpayers-dime/article1931685/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheGlobeAndMail-Business+%28The+Globe+and+Mail+-+Business+News%29

While the Conservatives continue to duck and weave about telling you how hard their tough on wallet's prison scheming, this article lays out all the facts about Harper's self promoting on your wallet, to the tune of $20 million. Every poster, every sign, every TV, internet and radio ad trying to make you think that everything is ok is hitting you right in your wallet.

And all this while the Conservatives plan to hand out a big corporate tax break while having no plan to cut the deficit. Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve better than Stephen Harper reaching into their wallet to promote himself and hand out breaks to big business when small businesses and middle-class consumers are still feeling the burden of Harper's reckless spending of your tax dollars.

Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve an MP who will stand up for them in tough times and listen to them, not take orders from Harper and his backroom political boys. Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve better than a government who takes from their family budget to promote itself, they deserve a government that will give them choice in homecare and ensure that we invest in the priorities families need like jobs and good healthcare. With Anita Vandenbeld, Ottawa West-Nepean will have an MP who listens to families and everyday Canadian concerns.

They think they can get away with it

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/03/01/weston-conservative-raid.html

With the Conservatives scheming and political games now exposed by the Federal Court of Appeal, Harper and Baird have been exposed again - they don't like playing by the rules, and these guys really don't like letting you know what they are up to.

Be it John Baird running cover for Bev Oda, saying that her misleading the House, and betraying hard working Canadians and churches who supported Kairos was "the right thing to do", or Harper dismissing accusations that he broke the rules that Canadians are supposed to live by, they are betting on one thing - they think they can get away with it.

They think Canadians don't pay attention, don't care. Just like how they can rule over the highest youth unemployment on record and think that won't matter, because youth won't go vote. Just like how they think they can hide from Canadians the truth about how their tough on wallets schemes and political games is hitting the family budget, when hard working families deserve to know if their government is working for them. Just like how John Baird takes his marching orders from Harper and Conservative backroom boys. He thinks they are his boss, not the people of Ottawa West-Nepean.

We're out in Ottawa West-Nepean, talking to Nortel pensioners (who were dismissed by the Conservative blogs as "pathetic"), seniors worrying about government inaction on pensions, new Canadians who felt the wrath of Conservative attacks on immigrant settlement programs in Ontario, and hard working families who just feel like their MP, and their government, isn't working and standing up for them. Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve better, and Anita Vandenbeld will be an MP who listens to you.

"Let her speak!"

Once again, rather than stand up for Ottawa West-Nepean families, John Baird is running damage control for Bev Oda, and not telling Canadian families how they are using their tax dollars. Baird is being exactly the MP Harper wants him to be, not the MP Ottawa West-Nepean families need him to be. The Liberals were just chanting "Let her speak!" during Question Period when once again, John Baird stood up and ran damage control for Oda misleading Canadian families and churches.

When the Liberals stand up for Canadian families and their wallets, and demand that the Conservatives come clean, what does John Baird say about Bev Oda misleading the House?

He says she is doing a great job, is courageous, and is doing the right thing. John Baird thinks you not knowing how tax dollars from your wallet are being spent "is the right thing". John Baird thinks misleading Canadian churches is "courageous".

John Baird thinks his real boss is Stephen Harper and the backroom Conservative boys. His real boss are Canadian families, and the people of Ottawa West-Nepean, and they deserve better.

Harper trying to hide his tough on wallets scheming

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/corporate-tax-cuts-costlier-than-tories-let-on-budget-watchdog-says/article1920932/

Harper continues to hide and mislead Canadian families the truth about how much his hand outs from their wallets to big corporations will cost. From Bev Oda, to corporate hand outs, to prison scheming, the biggest thing about the Conservatives is clear: These guys really don't want you know what they are doing with your tax dollars. And John Baird is the first one to stop you from knowing.

Harper spending your tax dollars for himself

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/documents-show-economic-action-plan-marketing-blitz-a-pmo-production-from-the-get-go-116829253.html

For over two years, it's been impossible to turn on the TV, go online, or walk around town without seeing something for Harper's self promoting ad blitz. That's your tax dollars he's using for those, and new documents show just how deep Harper control and spending of your tax dollars to promote himself went.


"Right from the get-go, images and video of the prime minister were integral building blocks that pre-occupied programmers building the site, according to internal government documents obtained by The Canadian Press...Television viewers have been bombarded since January... it is part of a massive, centrally co-ordinated campaign — critics call it partisan propaganda — orchestrated out of the Prime Minister's Office at taxpayer expense."

"the website...would be used to selectively promote the Conservative government...The government website's partisan and personal promotion of Harper became an issue in the autumn of 2009, when The Canadian Press reported that the site was plastered with literally dozens of Harper photos."

Everytime you see a billboard, an internet ad, the tv blitz, or a radio ad, that is your tax dollars Stephen Harper is taking from your wallet to use for himself. Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve better.

Harper tough on wallets, tougher on information

With Conservative MP's saying that YouTube covers of Lady Gaga songs are more important than government accountability and misleading the House, more of the Conservative attitude towards your wallets is coming to light - these guys really don't like telling you what they are doing (or not doing) with your tax dollars.

They mislead and cut like they do with Bev Oda. They stonewall and refuse to give Canadians the information they deserve about their tough on wallets prison schemes. They want to take from your wallets and give to the big corporations, and haven't told you how much it will hit your family budget.

And through it all, John Baird, the PM's pitbull, is there to run cover for Conservative economic messes and misuse of your money. Ottawa West-Nepean deserves better.

John Baird running cover for Bev Oda

http://www.lfpress.com/comment/columnists/l_ian_macdonald/2011/02/18/17323811.html

John Baird is doing exactly what Harper wants an MP from Ottawa West-Nepean to do. Not to stand up for families and churches in his riding who deserve a straight talking government that is responsible with tax dollars, but to shield a fellow Harper insider who mislead the House.

"...the decision not to fund the agency was taken either at Cabinet or PMO. This leads to a tick-tock, of who ordered what and when. Then you're getting into cover-up territory, a very dangerous place... The government sent in House Leader John Baird, its best attack dog, to tough it out in question period. On Thursday, he praised Oda for "doing the right and courageous thing." In debating this is known as diversionary tactics.

The objective of the government stonewalling was to get to Friday and a week-long parliamentary recess. Maybe with the House out, the furor will die down. Then again, maybe "not."


Make sure the furor doesn't die down by signing the petition: http://petition.liberal.ca/bevodamustresign/

Lying is not ok - Sign the petition

http://petition.liberal.ca/bevodamustresign/

Families in Ottawa West-Nepean deserve better than a Harper government who misleads the House and betrays the efforts of hard working Canadians and church members who supported KAIROS. Stand up for Canadian democracy and sign the petition!

Harper protecting Bev Oda shows true Conservative colours

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/bev-oda-has-to-go-ignatieff-says/article1910111/

A Harper cabinet minister willfully mislead the House and has refused to come clean for her actions. While Oda still gets driven around in her taxpayer funded ministerial car with her taxpayer funded driver, the Canadian people have been mislead, and hard working families and churches who take the time and effort to support groups such as Kairos are being disrespected. Canadians deserve better.

Video from Liberals on Ice


Great video from the Liberals on Ice event, it was great to get out on the canal with Liberal friends.

Pucapab!

Great new French language song from the Liberals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi0q-qt1XIw&feature=player_embedded

http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/blog/feeling-pucapab/

Conservative disrespect towards working mothers shows Harper is out of touch

So we've had Conservatives call Nortel pensioners "pathetic" (http://youthforanita.blogspot.com/2011/01/tory-blogger-calls-nortel-pensioners.html) and now Conservative cabinet minister Diane Finley (the wife of Harper backroom boy Doug Finley, who got a partisan Senate appointment) has accused working mothers of not caring about their children by not staying at home.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/932826--minister-draws-fire-over-comment-on-child-care?bn=1


Liberals are calling Finley’s remark an insult to working Canadian mothers and fathers and a clear declaration of bias in favour of stay-at-home parents — a rarity in Canada, where most mothers with children work.

“For decades we’ve realized that women are working, men are working and the second thing we’ve realized is that there’s a great benefit to children from working and playing with others and learning with others,” said Liberal MP Bob Rae. “The notion somehow that child care is some form of alien abduction is just completely preposterous.”


Anita's mother worked as a kindergarten teacher, so this issue is very personal for her. Statements like this show how out of touch the Conservatives are with the needs and wants of hard working Canadian familes, handing out big corporate tax breaks paid for by the pocket book of Canadians to a real plan to encourage job creation and investments in the social services that Canadian families deserve.

Liberals on Ice: Join us on Wednesday @12:30 on the Rideau Canal to celebrate Winterlude!

Join Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal Caucus our Leader Michael Ignatieff for a skate on
the Rideau Canal THIS Wednesday, February 9th beginning @ 12:oo PM.

Meet up with Liberal Senators and MPs behind the National Arts Centre, and lace up your skates in celebration of Winterlude 2011.

So, please bring your skates (or credit card, if you plan on renting a pair instead), dress warmly, and join me and the Youth for Anita Team for wonderful event!

Team Anita volunteers protest Larry "cata$trophic pay cut" Smith


The Conservatives have been showing more and more how out of touch they are with middle class Canadian families. Wanting to hand out big corporate tax breaks to companies like Big Telecom which look to reward consumers by hitting them in the wallet and limiting access to the Internet, and today by appointing Larry Smith to the Senate. Smith will get $100,000+ of taxpayer money in the Senate, and he's using it to campaign for a seat in the House of Commons in Quebec. What did Smith say when he joined Harper's Senate? That for him, having to get a paycheque of $132,000 a year on the taxpayer dime was for him a "catastrophic" pay cut. For reference, the median income for full-time workers in Ottawa West-Nepean is under $47,000, according to the soon to be cut census.
Coming out the recession, when hard-working Canadian families are faced with a government that has no plan to balance the books, Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve better than Harper's backroom buddies using their taxpayer dime to play politics.

Liberals standing for Canadians families and consumers, not Big Telecom

http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/liberals-oppose-crtc-decision-usagebased-billing/

If you're reading this website and using the Internet in Canada, you need to sign this petition:

http://openmedia.ca/meter

Canadian families deserve a government, and Ottawa West-Nepean families deserve an MP, who will stand up for middle-class consumers, not the Big Telecom corporations that would slash your ability to use the Internet while getting a corporate tax break paid for from your wallet.

Peter Kent picks up from John Baird on the environment - with no plan

http://www.cbc.ca/politics/insidepolitics/2011/01/been-there-heard-that-before.html

John Baird's legacy as Environment Minister was to waste taxpayer money on attack reports on Liberal plans to clean up the air we breathe and reduce pollution, while demonstrating a lack of leadership and letting our environmental agenda be set by the US. Peter Kent, the new Harper environment minister, looks to be following the same path that John Baird set out: Asking how high to jump when Harper asks, not listening to the concerns of Canadian families that want clean air for their children to breath.

Look at some of the headlines Kent has generated:

Been there, heard that environment speech before-CBC, Jan 28, 2011

New Canada environment minister offers no new plans-Reuteurs, Jan 28, 2011

Environment Minister targets critics in first major speech-Vancouver Sun, Jan 28, 2011 How very John Baird like - target critics, not climate change

Peter Kent sees no pressing need for new climate laws-Globe and Mail, Jan 28, 2011

New minister doomed to disappoint-The Gateway, Jan 27, 2011

Does Peter Kent even care about emissions?-Globe and Mail, Jan 26, 2011

Peter Kent, like John Baird before him, is putting at risk Canada's environment and the health of families and children across Canada and in Ottawa West-Nepean. Canadians deserve a plan to clear the air, not hot air from the new John Baird.

Actions speak louder: More spin from John Baird

So after a Tory blogger calls Nortel pensioners let down by John Baird and the Conservatives "pathetic" (see here for more details, and what has become the most read post on this blog: http://youthforanita.blogspot.com/2011/01/tory-blogger-calls-nortel-pensioners.html) Baird today came out with a spin filled statement:

"I know that my constituents are concerned about the economy, their jobs, their retirement and the financial security of their family."

Well yes, they are concerned about the economy and financial security. Let's take a closer look at the signs held by those "pathetic" protesters:


"John Baird! What are you doing for Nortel retirees?"

Well, here are just some things John Baird and his backroom buddies have done for Nortel, and the economic security of families in Ottawa West-Nepean:

-Had the Conservative Senate (which was just joined by Larry Smith, who complained about having to take a pay cut to sit as a Senator and get $100,000+ of taxpayer money a year to campaign for a Commons seat in Quebec) kill Bill s-216, which would have helped hundreds of families and Nortel pensioners in Ottawa West-Nepean

-Allowed Nortel to be bought out by foriegn companies at fire-sale prices, putting the future of our innovative economy at risk

-Having no plan to deal with the deficit and spending of taxpayer money, according to Kevin Page http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2011/01/20/budget-office-report.html

-Serving as the bullhorn for a government which saw the highest youth unemployment and underemployment on record

While Baird keeps up his spin, we'll keep knocking on the doors of the "pathetic" citizens of Ottawa West-Nepean and working hard to elect something the people of Ottawa West-Nepean haven't had for 5 years - an MP who listens to them and respects the concerns they have.

Tory blogger calls Nortel pensioners "pathetic"


From a Conservative blogger who covered Harper's celebration, which apparently had an introduction by John Baird.
The sign held by the guy on the right reads "John Baird, what are you doing for Nortel retirees?"
For all the Tories talk about hard-working Canadians, calling Ottawa West-Nepean families who have been let down by John Baird and his lack of leadership for the riding "pathetic" shows the real face of the Harper government represented by Baird.

Edit: A link to the full-sized photo https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEikOgfvK3LazaDipng1Th7UeaX-MZAznZ_iD1wmskngFjuYOELjUe78btWzLMlH-WJ4WsIpfP0dWccasss0NCiO1kYWU81arYAj8XhwdPwpiYefZRbMpazvoIXeAtBOIiI8eLfJI0OwM/s1600/IMG_6131.JPG

Nortel pensioners, and families across Ottawa West-Nepean are not better off after 5 years


While Harper and his backroom buddies party it up inside, Nortel pensioners who John Baird has abandoned by running away from his responsibilities as a local MP serve as a reminder of the real record of Baird and Harper, and how they have let down Ottawa West-Nepean families. We've seen record youth unemployment, record deficits with zero credible plan to reduce it, and an unaccountable government who fires independent voices rather than listen to them and help the people.
We're working hard in Ottawa West-Nepean to defeat what leader Michael Ignatieff termed "the snarling face of this Conservative government", and we are the team that is going to beat Baird. But we need your help to elect an MP who will stand up for the citizens, and deliver a responsible local MP who listens, not a bullhorn for a directionless government.
Find out more information by checking out our website, Facebook, and Twitter links on the side, and if you want to get involved, send an email to elect.anita@gmail.com

Great spoof of new Harper ad

This is a great spoof of Harper's new ad in the Prime Ministers Office (leave it to the Tories that the one ad they make that isn't a mud slinging attack-ad is arguably a misuse of official government resources, using the PM's office for a partisan ad)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shHfW_QB2Wg&feature=related

The issues the video talks about are particularly relevant for youth. The damage Harper has done to our environmental reputation, and the massive mismanagement of government spending turning surpluses into deficits will be paid off by our generation. And Harper and Baird think they can get away with it, because they think you don't care. That's the grand Stephen Harper strategy for re-election. Run attack ads to scare other voters into staying home, and hope that he can get enough of his base out to be able to win another government with 30% support of the population. Youth must step up to the plate, and the best place for youth to play a roll and show Harper that yes, youth do care, and that hope can beat fear, is Ottawa West-Nepean and the Anita Vandenbeld campaign.

Confessions of a First Time Canvasser: By Shane Mackenzie

When I awoke this past Sunday, I was still unsure what “canvassing” was. My roommate, a visual arts student, assured me that it was not part of his line of work. At this point, I was left to arrive and hope for the best.


I was the first to arrive. I met Anita and we discussed how the day would proceed. She gave me the plan for door knocking including what to say, how to speak and other key tips. Otherwise, the task of intriguing people about the campaign was free to our own whims, ideas and creativity. Immediately, on this premise of such an exciting operation, I began imagining it as a sort of action-hero mission. With adrenaline pumping, we set off.


At my first door, I rapped on it politely and nervously. I got a very polite response back and I began to see how this would be easier than I had anticipated. Furthermore, Anita is a huge help while canvassing because she comes into the conversation giving a jolt of positive energy to the interaction. This energy carries over from door to door and it develops a quality unto its own. Honestly, its pure fun.


We were left to our creative devices into how to convince people that they should both come to the Michael Ignatieff event at Carlingwood Mall and to learn more about Anita's campaign. Largely, canvassing is so addicting that I sought to charge ahead and was not afraid to go on my own after the first couple doors.


In this experience, you truly get to step into someone's life at a random moment and see his or her innermost self. As ridiculous as that might sound, it's true. Even the one's who are not interested in what you are saying provide interesting stories, lines or let you discover something new.


Some of the notable stories of my experience would be the girl who told Omar that her Daddy told her she could not vote for anybody but a conservative. There are door lockers, one or two door slammers and many who are perplexed for quite a long time. Thankfully, Anita usually comes to the rescue at this point.


Although, the ones I most relish from my first experience were the ones who brought enthusiasm, a smile and interest to their doors. There are a surprising number of people who you can hear talking behind their door about the conversation, the campaign and which of their friends they will tell. Many people, political or not, enjoy canvassers and especially talking to the candidate directly.


My personal story of the day, on my first day canvassing, was a door in which I could smell pungent brownies the whole time. These just smelled like quality brownies and I found myself waiting at the door for a very long time. The aroma sent me into a fantasy in which the person opened the door, was a liberal and offered me a brownie. Sadly, this fantasy never came true and they never opened the door. My hope is that someday this happens.


Anita really means it when she says “canvassing is [her] fun”. You can see her eagerness as she moves to connect with the people. She has a natural ability to warm up a room. She is kind and cheerful and it just can't help but seep through into her canvassing. People find themselves caught in a moment between them and a candidate for public office face-to-face right at their doorstep. It is obvious that it is a rare treat to have Anita Vandenbeld show up at your door.


Canvassing really is a great experience. I advise that you try it. It is a moment like no other in which you connect with a total stranger, talk about politics, step into their frame of mind and get some good exercise out of walking around. I further advise you get out there before I get out there and hog it all.

Rally with Michael Ignatieff and Ottawa area candidates a smashing success!


Thanks so much to everyone who came! Ottawa West-Nepean was honoured to host the first rally of the 20/11 Tour, and it was a great time. We had over 250 people, even some overflow into the mall, and lots of people came from the area doors we had knocked on. Anita delievered a great speech about why the people of Ottawa West-Nepean deserve a better government, and Michael Ignatieff followed up with an adress detailing how in 5 years, the Conservatives have failed to improve the lives of everyday Canadians, and how a Liberal government will do better. It's a sign of strength that the leader would choose this riding to start up the campaign, and thanks to the continued hard work of all members of the team, particularly youth, we can do it.

Join us for the first event of the 20/11 Tour!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173291749375363&index=1

Ottawa West-Nepean has the honour of hosting the first event of the 20/11 Tour, tomorrow at noon, at the Carlingwood Family Restaurant at the Carlingwood Mall. That Michael Ignatieff has chosen our riding to be the first one to visit shows a huge amount of confidence in our team, and our youth team in particular. Make no mistake - the party sees the effort we are putting into this campaign, and knows that thanks in large part to us, Ottawa West-Nepean is a winnable riding. So come out tomorrow and join Michael Ignatieff, Anita Vandenbeld, and Ottawa area Liberal candidates!

Experiences of a first time canvasser - by Natalie Lolua

"As a Young Liberal, I am always eager to get involved with the party in any way I can. I was most delighted when I met Anita Vandenbeld and to find out she was looking for young people to volunteer and to get involved with her campaign. This weekend myself and some other volunteers were given the opportunity to go out canvassing with Anita herself. I had never been canvassing before, and was not sure what to expect. When I knocked on my first door I was a little nervous, but after knocking on a few more doors I was really enjoying myself. Today in a Canada where voter turnout keeps decreasing and politicians seem too impersonal, it is nice to have a candidate like Anita who goes out and talks to the people and finds out what issues are important to them. I am most certainly looking forward to going out canvassing again."

Young people like Natalie are making a difference. If you think the people of Ottawa West-Nepean deserve an MP who listens, join us, and help elect Anita Vandenbeld.

Great first night out canvassing!


The Anita Vandenbeld team hit the streets tonight for the first time with Anita as candidate. It was a great experience for everyone involved, with a couple of first time canvassers even, which brought some excitement and energy to the team. Lots of voters appreciated us going and talking to them, and listening to what they had to say. Government needs to listen to its citizens, and the great families of Ottawa West-Nepean deserve an MP who believes in talking with them and exchanging ideas, not acting as a career politician loudspeaker.
For me, the most inspiring part of the evening was talking to a new Canadian who had recently gained his citizenship after immigrating from Eastern Europe, and was very impressed by Anita's background of promoting civic engagement and civic participation around the world, and told us that we would have the honour of being the first candidate he would vote for in Canada. It's that kind of stuff that makes the political grind worthwhile.
We identified some good Liberal support, and more than a few voters who said they didn't vote Liberal last time, but would seriously consider it now that they had met Anita. All in all, a good night canvassing. One poll down, 250 to go.

Come canvassing with Anita Vandenbeld - It makes a difference

The Anita Vandenbeld campaign will start canvassing this weekend, and we need YOU!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183100681709729&index=1

Canvassing is the backbone of a successful campaign. The campaign that does the best job of getting out, talking to voters, listening to them, and get them out to the polls is the one that wins. Period.

Canvassing is also a campaign area in which youth can play a huge role. All it takes is a belief in the candidate you are running for, enough self confidence to knock on someones door, and the ability to talk to a voter about why your candidate will be the best for standing up for the families of Ottawa West-Nepean.

This is a swing riding, and canvassing will make all the difference. The margin to make up is just a little bit under 5,000 votes (which is really not that many in a riding of almost 110,000 people), and when you break this down poll by poll, it really demonstrates how important getting out the vote is. With 252 polls in the last election (and probably a similar number next election), a 5,000 vote Baird victory translates into only 20 votes per poll. Since to win, we need to swing at least half of the 5,000, as little as 10(!) votes per poll could be the difference between winning a defeat.

If we have a youth canvassing team of say, 25 youth, that is only 10 polls each (which really is nothing, on a good day of canvassing you're going to want to do at least 2-3 polls minimum), and if we need to win 5,000 votes, that's only 200 voters per youth, over the whole riding, over the course of the whole pre-writ period and election.

If we want to paint this riding Liberal red, we need a strong youth team to go out and talk to voters and say they deserve a Member of Parliament who will be a voice for the people - not the pit bull for the Prime Minister. If we want to elect a women of such strong experience and ability like Anita, we need a strong youth team to talk to voters and say they deserve an MP with real life experience - not a career backroom politician. If we want a Liberal government to advance the ideas and policies to move this country forward, we need a strong youth team to talk to voters and say that they deserve a economically responsible, forward looking government - not a government that abuses the public trust and your democratic institutions.

We can make a difference - but we need you. Please join us this weekend for canvassing with Anita Vandenbeld.

Great video from the Youth Voices Youth Choices Event

Don't forget to join us for the Winter Tour Kickoff with Michael Ignatieff on Jan 12th
http://on.fb.me/ej6zfV
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waCQZMBr964
Here's a great video featuring some of the great artists who were there at the Youth Voice Youth Choices event, Anita's fantastic speech (that line about the Conservatives thinking they can get away with having ruled over the highest youth unemployment on record and abandoning climate change leadership because they think youth don't care is really strong), a bit of Justin Trudeau's inspiring words about civic engagement, and even a cameo from yours truly asking a question. If you were there, watch it again to relive the excitement (and maybe you'll see yourself in the video) and if you weren't, you can still watch and be inspired by the great youth turnout and Anita's powerful words.

Michael Ignatieff coming to Ottawa West-Nepean for his Winter Tour Kickoff!


Happy New Year everyone! I hope your holidays have been fun. So let's get back to business. We hope you can join us at the Carlingwood Family Restaurant, at the Carlingwood Mall on Jan 12 at noon for the kickoff of Michael Ignatieff's Winter Tour. Iggy coming to this riding first is important, it shows that all our hard work for Anita has paid off, the party wants to focus on this riding because they know that this is a winnable riding with a great youth team. Hope you can come out and bring your friends!
Youth for Anita Vandenbeld
Authorized by the Official Agent for Anita Vandenbeld
Copyright © 2010 Youth for Anita Vandenbeld for Ottawa West-Nepean All rights reserved.