ELECTIONS '87 & '88 OVER~ VIEW
FREEDOM PARTY MASS MARKETS TWO 1989 CALENDARS OF INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM! A U.S. EDITION AND A CANADIAN EDITION!
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I "For Freedom Party, votes are not the objective in Election '87. Our candidates and campaign supporters are all fully ; aware that the best vote return they can reasonably expect wi/I be within the one- to two-percent range, perhaps even less in ridings where other small parties are fielding candidates.
"Why? Because political credibility [i.e., being seen as an electable, fully-representative organization) is a long-term process that has very little to do with how good [or bad] a party's ideas or platform are. Most voters want to know that the party they suport with their vote will be back the next election --- and the next and the next --- before they begin to offer any meaningful electoral support. " - Freedom Party Leader Robert Metz - September 1, 1987
BRIDGING THE CREDIBILITY GAP
On Thursday, September 10,1987, voters in Ontario cast their ballots in a provincial general election that gave Ontario's Liberal party the largest majority it has enjoyed in 50 years. The process of ousting the province's Progressive Conservatives, which began with the 1985 general election, was now finally complete.
What had Ontario's voters voted for? What was it that David Peterson and his Liberals were offering that proved to be so appealing?
According to media reports on the day following the election, it was Peterson's "tough free trade stand" combined with about $2.4 billion worth of election promises that prompted his party's landslide victory. The sad truth of the matter, however, is that the Liberal's landslide victory really had more to do with Ontario's rejection of the Progressive Conservatives than it had to do with any active support of the Liberal party.
If there are still those who doubt that most people vote against things rather than forthem, then the Liberal Party's decline in popularity and its resounding defeat in the London North byelection (see coverage, page 16) should help prove the point. But it won't prove much else. "Issues", as such, are really only secondary during election campaigns --- and with good reason. In the first place, the major parties generally agree on most of the "issues". But most importantly, there simply isn't the time, opportunity, or desire to debate the issues on any rational basis during an election, because that would require an educational process that simply cannot be condensed into the brief span of any election period.
Thus, whether we like it or not, elections will forever be bound to the public's perception of the issues, the candidates, and their political parties. Since most politicians of the major political parties are philosophically agreed on most of the issues, that leaves the candidates and their political parties as the focal point of an election. "Issues" to the degree they are discussed during elections, are merely trimmings to the fanfare accompanying election fever.
For a relatively new political party like Freedom Party, this reality represents a formidable challenge. Given our "free minds, free markets" philosophy, it also demands an approach to achieving political credibility with the public that may not be seen as the traditional way to get into power. After all, rarely has any political party or candidate achieved electoral victory by promising to spend less on social programs or by advocating more individual responsibility in the matters of personal or public welfare. 'Fringe' parties iockey for fourth place
BY SUSAN DElACOURT mon thread running through thei r campaigns: Sargent, th111ks even 1990 would be too soon tu t; The Globe and Mati all say they rE'present the people that the thrE'E' hope for her party to take a sea t in the Leg ,sla- ~ larger parties forgot and all talk about lea\'H1g a ture. Freedom Party members ha\'e thei r Sight, ::J They want the vote that says "none of the mark, making a statement or " bulid,ng for the se t on a more distant date than Sept. 10. "l: above." future." So with virtually no chance of winning in the "\.lie set ourselves a goal of a deca de or t\\() ~ But most of them art.' (11)[ talking about win before any of us ge t elected," Mr. 1\1et z sa id. ~ Ontario election on Sept. 10, at least five, and as ning any seats. On the fringe, they say. politi many as six parties will jockey for the coveted 1\1odest goals are the trademark of the fringe 0:::: cians are masters of no illUSions and se rvanls 10 parties in this election, in which all the attentlun 'l:l fourth place behind the Liberals, thE' Progres no one. sive Conservatives and the New Democratic seems to be focused on how high the ~ "Electability Isn't our cu ncern at the mo Liberals can climb and how low the Party. ment," says Robert 1\1 etz. leade r of the Fret' They ar e th E' so-called fringe parties: rebels Tories can sink. dom Party of Ontario. "We don't presenl oll r without campaign busE's who see elections as a "We recognize that people tend to candidates with any false promises or Illu';lons vote against things rather than for golden opportunity to advancE' thei r viSion of a about being elected." perfect world. things," said Mr. Metz, whose Free In this elect ion, that perfE'ct world desc ribed The Freedom Party's platform is simliar 10 dom Pany has even colle<;ted gar. by the fringe is anything from a prO\'111ce with that of the Libertarian Party. which runs under bage during a London, Onf., strike ou t abortions to an economy without govE' rn a banner of free en terprise , free trade and free in an attempt to capture public at ment r egulation. dom from overregulation by government . tention. "But maybe someday. But for all their differences, there is a com- sooner or later, we can be the fourth And like Ihe Libertarians. whose 1(,;lder. t-: avl' pany."
ABOVE: The front-page Globe and Mail story above effectively illustrates the challenge faced by the smaller parties on the "fringe" of public acceptance --- bridging the credibility gap to electoral success, \lllCTlfJN ~l-BRIDGING THE CREDIBILITY GAP~~ ]3
To many of our members and supporters, this situation represents the "Catch-22" frustration of advocating individual freedom through an electoral process that, by its nature, appears to run contrary to the nature of individual freedom itself. But that's no reason to become discouraged.
In fact, recognizing the realities of the electoral process is the first step in formulating a realistically workable approach to political success for a party like Freedom Party. The second step is to avoid the pitfall of unrealistic expectations, which generally means not to place too much emphasis on votes too early in our stages of development.The third step is to learn to recognize our success where it has already presented itself, and to build upon that success as our foundation for the future.
Following is a brief synopsis of FREEDOM PARTY's Election '87 campaign: the candidates, the issues, and FREEDOM PARTY itself:
EXPECTATIONS vs RESULTS
Though there are those who considered it to be a "self-fullfilling prophecy", our expectation that Freedom Party candidates would garner between one and two percent of the vote in the ridings where they were represented was undeniably right on target. In fact, in the final analysis, Freedom Party's nine candidates averaged a 1.547% share of the vote where the party was I represented.
To many people, one and a half percent of the vote isn't much to write home about. Yet, despite the belief of some to the contrary, our vote return was not the result of setting our targets too low, or of ineffective media coverage, or because the public had a generally negative reaction to Freedom Party. As the evidence clearly shows, our nominal vote return was merely an expected result of conditions and circumstances clearly laid out and I explained to our members and supporters well in advance
of our asking them to support our campaign with their i' time and money. I
In other words, we're still in the early stages of I establishing our political credibility.
True, honesty may not always be the best policy when it i comes to getting elected, but surely any serious public : statement reflecting an expectation that a Freedom Party candidate could get elected would be seen by the public as highly naive. There's nothing more damaging to political credibility (and support) than the disappointment following unrealistic expectations and promises --- I particularly if they're announced by a new political party. i J Despite our acknowledgement of this reality, however, i 1 it has become clear that in future elections we must adopt 1 a tempered attitude when confronted with the issue of '------.---.------electoral expectations. From the public's response, it's Above: "Rebels without campaign likely that our candidates may have unintentionally been buses ... " is how Globe and Mail reporter conveying a misleading message in their appeal for the ,HIS Susan Delacourt described the parties vote. ,It;1[ on the "fringe" of popular support. That 'AA~fi) vision was evidently translated into the By acknowledging their (realistic) vote expectations, to J'5tO~ image illustrated by the editorial cartoon a significant number of voters, our candidates were also r1'CrlOICf pictured above. [Globe & Mail, Sept. 1 conveying the message that "votes aren't important", and fl 1987. therefore, that we weren't interested in voter support. At Left: This time, make it your choice. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Any other choice is ... somebody else's. Votes are important, and future campaigns and literature That was the basic theme behind Free will stress the importance of voting for the party of one's dom Party's message to voters in our F r Q~ om Par ty choice, rather than votin;:; against the lesser of a given Election '87 literature. number of "evils". 4 IELECTION .,,-
THE RIDINGS Unfortunately, from any individual candidate's point of view, that meant less public exposure, and fewer London: opportunities to speak. Being a summer election, there were also no high school debates, which traditionally The three London ridings (North, Centre, South) account for the liveliest exchanges and the most represented the only constituencies in Ontario where intelligent discussion of the issues. Freedom Party has ever been represented a second time. Candidates Robert Metz (London South), Lloyd Walker The fact that London is the home of Premier David (London Centre), and Barry Malcolm (London North), ran Peterson's riding was no help. High-profile candidates parallel campaigns in each of their ridings, thus hoping to do as much campaigning outside their ridings (in convey a consistent and recognizable political alternative Peterson's case, more) as within their ridings. This factor to all of the voters in London. was another important determination in the organization of all-candidates' debates. Thus, opportunities to During Election'85, when Freedom Party fielded only stand out as a clear political alternative were unusually three candidates in the three London ridings, we were limited for us during Election '87 in the London ridings. fortunate enough to be the only unfamiliar option on the ballot. During Election '87 however, we were faced with Despite the limitations however, Freedom Party's Ontario's most recent entrant in the political field, the London candidates clearly had an advantage over the .Family Coalition Party, and it was represented by other FP candidates in two critical respects: election signs candidates in each of the London ridings. and manpower. This should not be surprising, considering we've been active in London for the longest period of With a minimum of five candidates per riding (six in time. London Centre, where an independent candidate was running), some unexpected circumstances regarding Much of our London volunteers' time was diverted to all-candidates' debates and media coverage surfaced. preparing literature for candidates outside the city. Response cards were inserted into over 130,000 pieces of For example, the London Chamber of Commerce, who literature in an amazingly short period of time, while invited each of Freedom Party's London candidates to virtually every delivery objective was attained. Our each of its three 1985 all-candidates' debates, excluded appreciation must be extended to all those London Freedom Party (and the other "fringe" candidates) from supporters who participated in our effort. Without a its single 1987 candidates' debate. Being denied an doubt, it was their steadfast support that made our opportunity to present our new political choice, particu Election '87 campaign in London a success. larly to Chamber members, represents an unfortunate circumstance to a small party like Freedom Party. While ...... we recognized the Chamber's right to exclude all but the major parties from its candidates' debate, we nevertheless 0 attempted to persuade them to reconsider allowing our Candidate Riding #V '6 LIT free enterprise party to be represented --- but without success. Frampton Mississauga East 767 2.37 20000 Balabanian Mississauga South 707 2.16 10000 As it happened, our exclusion from the Chamber's Pengelly Don Mills 475 1.75 10000 debate proved to generate more media attention for Monteith Elgin 546 1.68 10000 Freedom Party than might otherwise have been the case Emery Middlesex 499 1.46 70000 had we been invited and attended the meeting. Public Walker London Centre 587 1.36 20000 sympathy was with us and a number of radio editorials Malcolm London North 534 7.34 20000 clea rly opposed the Chamber's decision to deny us access Metz London South 430 7.01 20000 to its candidates' debate. Nevertheless, the debate was Magder Fort York 174 0.83 20000 ~ conducted in our absence and it's our guess that as a consequence, it was the dullest debate held in the London ridings.
The unusually-high number of candidates fielded in the London ridings tended to produce other uncontrollable obstacles to the maximized effective promotion of our ideas and candidates. Unlike El ection '85, where most of It is the weak man who urges compromise --- never the the all-candid ates' debates were held exclusive to their strong man. ridings, the balance of debates held during Election '87 would find a London North candidate of one party The ideas that benefit a man are seldom welcomed by debating with a London Centre (or South) candidate of him on first presentation. another party. This arrangement seemed to be viewed by debate organizers as the best way to accommodate the There is no freedom on earth or in any star for those large number of candidates in the fewest number of public .who_del}y freedom to others. forums. illlCTI()N .,,- l()ND()N RIDINtiS
THE LONDON FREE PRESS, Saturday, September 5,1987 ELECTION '87 A7 Lady in red running ahead of Baldmobile PC hopes LONDON SOUTH RIDING ' Campaigns run from high-gloss to low-budget Schools, LONDON NORTH RIDING
THE LONDON FREE PRESS, Saturday, September 5, 1987 A6 ELECTION '87 Five opponents try to keep up with 'jogger' 1 .. 11 .. ,(111;1 •• lId ":>ld 1 .•. , - rllP/III": ,., , I:" ~ t';''''' ,' p rl ~II " I " 'r .·, '!'-,j tn h",d !.,,\ \( I \'. ro-r "·" By Don Collins ldd"n \'~' ,rl..,·,.- r, \11' n Ldh\ ..J;'" 1:1'" ;tr,d 1!I.oIl\.· ... 1""1\. "I 0,·41 .d'''Il! LONDON CENTRE RIDING London Fr(~t: P',"';' iI" tit • .tlll h;,/ •• 'd ... "~I til, old rlUIf'P ~~~~r_nt-...... ~t;J:;":.=·~...... '· x:'CU! x..':: IIIiIL- ROBERT METZ: pushing overnment in r new members W alke r , a W estinghouse J\tetz: ~lor e (Tucta l than \'otes to BARRY MALCOLM: m an, joined the Freed om Party the Freed om Part:> i s new mem cause ,,' jllst relt the re w as t bership, and si nce the electlo l1 much government in my li fe," Onc, of nine Ca ndidates fielded by the : "as (';lill'd th' J'1),1.'r h,,~ d"ublvcl _-\ 'P ~I r-·o ':~~ti ,0Ul1g party for tillS e'it'cllon, itl" ill l.Pllciull III :,110lll 150, ",1.1 \i.'I/ , r:l.nlCID~J! t~; npi()~pp. d(\~\~n t p,- 'r echocs thc orgalllf.at!(l ll'S dt'sire a :).)-~ l'~ r-u!d Ch,111 l"rt'd :t, 'l', III 1) 1)('I.'t t" ~t' '1).'1\(jlll~ the 1\C'\t fOllr i for <15 little gO I'prnnH'nt as po~"bk t:llll "I "(1,i1d bl' ',IITrt,,'d In Iioid "I' ,.1 I ,';lI";,1 l)Ul'I';l'S Pell'I-;, t':tliE' I' :i, and " freer halld for frcc nl.'" (J\\ 11 ;!i ,,!It' LP- i\\O per- l'l"!lt rd Ii .. , ',lI'1'\I:1; tilt' h Middlesex and Elgin represented the only rural ridings in which Freedom Party fielded candidates. Believes in a limited When Freedom Party Action Director Marc Emery gov't, free enterprise announced his provincial candidacy for the riding of Marc Emery has no previous experience in Middlesex politics, Middlesex, it was front-page news. Though the most but the candidate for the Freedom Party is certainly not politically-seasoned of Freedom Party's nine candidates, Emery's candidacy in Middlesex represented his first unknown, official foray into provincial politics. For the past 13 years, he has owned and operated City Lights 2g Bookshop in London, and over the past couple of years has been For Ray Monteith, our candidate in Elgin, it was a first ~ a vociferous opponent of provincial Sunday closing regulations, time ever experience to run as a political candidate. ~' Twenty-nine years of age, Mr, Emery is running in Middlesex Despite his initial apprehensions, Ray came through the 15 because the part of east London where he lives is in the county experience with flying colours and possibly generated CllE: rt'd' Ing . more media and press coverage than any of Freedom Q. "I'm not unrealistic in my expectations. I don't have any illu- Party's other candidates. Significantly, Ray's candidacy ~ sions of how many votes I'll get - I kind of like living at home," in Elgin represented the first time in over forty years that ..c: says Mr. emery. , voters in the riding were offered a new political choice. ~ The goal of the Freedom Party in this election, he says, is to ~ get the message across that, "The purpose of government is to Campaigning in a rural riding is a much more protect your freedom of choice, not take it away. Running your time-consuming and difficult task than campaigning in an 25 urban riding. With a larger geographic area, and much Q) life is your responsibility." larger distances between homes and farms, effective ~ Mr, Emery feels there is little difference among the Liberal, PC , delivery of literature requires more than just extra time; it ~ and NOP attitudes, and says that grants and subsidies and pro also requires the use of a vehicle and the doubling-up of ~ gram after program "are destroying this country .... 1 don't think volunteers so that one person can drive while the other 1ii\.;. the taxpayer wants to be a lender to everyone who can't get a places literature in mailboxes. U) legitimate 10a[1 ... 1 believe in a limited government and free enter- 'b' prise, We cannot pillage this country forever," Because both ridings were relatively new grounds for ~ Similarly, in education he criticizes control of the system by ,~ Freedom Party, our thanks must once again be directed - "politicians, bureaucrats, and administrators", who 'currently to our London volunteers whose efforts were largely ~ determine the future of our school children, responsible for introducing our new political choice to "Are you content to allow politicians, bureaucrats, and ad voters in Middlesex and Elgin. ministrators, who have messed things up, to educate your children 7" he asks, "We must have tre freedom to choose the school we send ou r children to, whether it is a private, public, or -reprin ted, London Free Press, August 18, 1987 separate schoo!." - =="----.,.,,..--- - A ~ t 6"/h Marc Emery to run in Middlesex as candidate for Freedom party Self-described "veteran activist" wouldn't help financially - and the three major parties 01' indi\'idU al l\larc Emery of London will carry volunteer ga rbage pickup affair freedom and responsibility_" the Freedom party's banner in are two of the reasons why Emery Emery. 29. is ma rried, has t\ By [I. YDE \L\RRI-'GTO-' .. Anything run by the government :'Ilr , l\lonteith was a brakeman and I'm hopIng my wife IS gOIng to donate T-J Staff Reporter is a flop'" he said in Union. conductor for 37 years until his re S200. It might get as high as S1.000," Four cancliclates are running in El In an interview, he also talks of tirement from Conrail in 1980. he sa\'s gin in the Sept. \0 pro\incial election, tempering his party's hardlirie He may ha\'e \'oted Consen'atiH' He- hasn't recel\'ed an\ outside This report is the first of four on the stance against government and gov for most -of his life. but politics was campaign contributions. The Free inclh'idual campaigns, ernment programs "with compas neyer important to him, not until re dom Party has helped him organIze In 1985 , he was part of an Elgin sion'" cently, he says, his campaIgn and "two young men Liberal ,-\s sociation ad campaign to The Freedom Party of Ontario is Mr. l\lonteith says his new-found from St Thomas'· ha\·e also contrib elect pronncial candidate Peter opposed to all government grants political awareness \\'as spurred by uted but basicalh· "it's a one-man Charlton. given institutions such as museums. Eastway Ford Sales Ltd. 's fight last show ," he sa\·s, \i·lth a hint of satis- The ads featured a photograph of universities. tourist information year o\'er Ontario's Sunday retail faction . - hIm s haking hands with soon-to-be centres. theatres. galleries and iaw He was among the pickets main HIS wife, DOriS, has been gra\'el\· ill during the cJmpJign and has di p~emier Da\'id Peterson, abo\'e a sports, It abhors subsidies gi\'en cor taining that it should be a business· ca ption introducing Ray :'Ilonteith porations, day care centres and agri right to decide what days it shall re \'erted much of hIS attention. He 'as a lifelong Consen'ati\e pledging culture. It is a lso against all go\'ern main open. does n·t \,'ant to dISCUSS the situation on the record, hO\l'e\'er, although it is support to the Liberal Part~ ·. " ment ·studies .. building restrictions Mr, Monteith says he joined the ob\·iousl\ caus ing him great an Two \·ears later. he rides the ticket and zoning bylaws. Freedom Party because he agrees "You," he stresses. "ha\·e to be ac guish. of the newh -founded Freedom Party with the party's view that our rights A deepl\' relIgIOUS man with a fun of Ontario' In the Sept. 10 election countable for all the decisions \OU are ever being eroded by go\'ern make, right or wrong' - damental approach to the Bible, :'IIr ca mpaign but admits he hasn't a ments seeking to increase control :'Ilonteith preaches tolerance of reli · hope of getting elected. As with am'one else, he does n·t over our Ii yes gions. beliefs and practIces at odds ,-\t a ca ndidates· meeting in Lnion \I·ant a waste disposal s ite In his "There is one reason a nd onh one with his o\l·n. :'IIr :'Ilontelth chided the three other ba ckYard and he doesn't belie\'e the reason wh\' Peterson called this· eleC He supports decrlm i na liZ! ng pros· elec ti on hopefuls, warning that who· lifting of zoning bylaws should result tion. Power He wants more power titution, pornography and drug use, and you know he·s going to get It. .. he me\'er of them was elected. h1? would III factories getting constructed III for instance, saying irs not for man says of pollster predict ions that thE' be in the bJc kground to record their quaint suburbia. to be "sort of playing God. A person's position on any Issue im·olYing peo " You can't do that. not if it IIlter· Libera ls will. handih, form a malOr- lifest\'le has to be hIS 0wn decision." it~' go\'ernment come Sept HI . ' pl e 's freedoms. feres \I·ith your neighbors. That's agamst prostitution. It's not The Freedom candidate I~ running ''I'm ,-\;\TI -Sl·BSID 1ES \I·hat the Freedom Part\' is all about my cup of tea. But I don't believe in - sure we believe in - freedom of a frugal campaign, \I'ltnes5 the ab His platform is s imple. antl-go\·ern sence of election posters picking people up and throwing them ment , pro-choice. choice, but not if irs something in jail." that 's going to hurt y'our neighbor.·' "I\'E' spent S500 of m\ mone\' and "''\,.. IN THE l\AME OF FREEDOM - Freedom Party candidate Ray Monteith said he was drawn into this election out of concern that citizens' rights are being eroded by an over- zealous government. The party \\'ants less government and more freedom of choice. in areas ranging from abortion to the speeding laws, - !T-J Photo ), IELECTION ·81- ELGIN IiIDING Elgin hopefuls stick to their party lines McNeil. member in the last legis th e h a nds of pri v ate bu siness By Bob Massecar lature. stuck by the Conservati\'e wher e it could be more efficiently $t. Thomas Bureau \'iew that free trade would mean operated. more jobs and a better local econo A few local issues did come to the ST. THO!\l'-\S - Party pl atforms my i n the long run by enhancing fore. for the Sept. 10 pr ovi ncial elect ion " one of the la rgest trad i ng r elation All four ca ndidates. questioned came away from two E lgi n riding ships in the world." about rumors that a transfer to al l -cand i dates . d ebat es Monday Campbell supported the oppos L ondon was being consider ed for , with thei r political planks vi rtually ing NDP opinion. noting it could Elgin courts and loca l administra sandpaper smooth. prove costly in Elgi n where 65 per t ion of justice, vowed to k ee p the In their first face-to-face mee t rent of j obs wer e auto i ndustry status qu o and fight aga inst any fu ings of the campaign. the three related. ture attempt on those lines. main party opponents - Conse rva Roberts maintained that Premier They also favor ed promotion of tive Ron McNei l. Liber al Mar ietta David Peterso n has promise d a tourism i n Elgin to cr eate more lo Roberts and N ew Democr at Cord Liberal government would veto the cal j obs. impr oved programs for Campbe ll - predi ct ab l y h a m dea l i f It wer e to cause harm to are' a sen ior citizens that would mered out the sa me party lines es Ontario. while r>t onteith sa id his help them stR)" in their home'S . bN pouse d by thei r leaders in th ei r pa n y favored free trade. i nclud ing ter hOllsing and de\'elopment pro continuing ca ll1paign tra\'els across Sunday ~ h o ppin g. gr ams il1\'ol\'i nggroup homes in th e Ontario. On auto i nsurance. Campbell district for the hand icapped. more Only Freed om party r epresenta sa id provinc i ally run p rogr ams assista nce for fam i Iy fa rm opc'r tive Ray r>t onteith tned to sc uff the h ave been working well i n Wes tern ati ons to kee p th em fr om ex tincti on plection proposa Is of th e pa rties. Ca nada. a nd g r eate r p r otecti on of thl' ta king a kick at all forms of govern Roberts sa id the L iberal gove rn envi ron ment. ment as being too restrictive. too ment h ad tri ed to draft legislation A th i rd all-ca nd ldR tes meet ing costlv and too cosv with each other. to es tablish a r ate review boa rd t o w ill be held Se pt. 2 ,ll the I ntpm;! At -a one-h our I~n c h eo n of th e St. ca p insurance r ates and provide re t iona l Club in Wes t Lome under T homas Kiwanis Club and a two b ates for so me driver s. but opposi the Rlisp ices of the loca l br anch of hour late afternoon confrontation tion MPPs had for ced the iss ue to th e fed e ration of agr lt'ultul"l'. bt' sponsor ed by the St. Thomas Cham be placed under study by a commit ginning at 7:30 p.lll. tee of the leg islature. ber of Co mmer ce. the topics of f ree -reprinted, London Free Press, trade and public automobile insur [lt cN eil said the Co nse rvatives ance were bounced around by the supported a r ate r ev iew board. but Augus t 25, 1987 \ ~ ' o uld leave insurance progr ams i n ~~~'---<:;Y~'7 ~~ Elgin riding candidates toast the Sept. 10 election with coffee mugs they received from the St. Thomas Kiwanis Club at a luncheon debate. From left are New Democrat Gord Campbell; Ray Monteith , Freedom party; Kiwanian Gord Tilford , chairman of the debate; Liberal Marietta Robert s and Conservative Ron McNei l, member in the last legislature. THE LONDON FREE PRESS, Wednesday, February 17,1988 87 1 Another pleasant surprise associated with the production of our 1988 Calendar of 'Calendar of Individual Individual Freedom was the appearance of this editorial below. Writer Helen Connell, whose constant advocacy of increased government spending and intervention has on more than Freedom a hit! one occasion found her opinions sharply criticized by Freedom Party, was evidently surprised by the calendar's content herself. This no doubt accounts for her reaction to its One of the major unexpected surprises of 1987 was the "unlikely source ... the Freedom Party. " response to Freedom Party's 1988 prototype Calendar of Individual Freedom. Researched, designed and produced by Action Director HELEN CON Marc Emery, the limited print-run of the calendar was originally intended solely as a year-end gift to our members and supporters in appreciation of their support You're free to like or dislike this calendar during the past year. But as soon as the "gifts" were mailed out, the orders began to pour in. Before we knew approves or not of the happenings on • Dec. 4 - Canadian government bans what hit us, we found ourselves producing over 1,500 Marc Emery wouldn't be my first $3.95 (plus $1 for postage) that offers a • July 14 - The death penalty abol choice as a "pin-up boy." but he has pro tastefu I head-and-shou lders shot of wri t those dates. Emery keeps their signifi i shed in Canada (1976). the importation of comic books (1940). calendars which were distributed to respondents from all duced the best calendar for 1988. er-philosopher Ayn Rand as its centre cance alive. • Aug. 4 - Canada enters the First • Dec. 18 - Ontario government enacts over North America and as far away as Australia and West World War (1914 ). !\lost of us working stiffs make it fold? And who else but Emery wou Id po • Feb.26 - Japanese Canadians are rent controls as a "temporary meas ure" Germany. through the winter by stringing our sag sition British Prime Minister Maggie forcibly moved to the British Columbia • Aug. 11 - Eight Ontario communist (1975). ging spirits from one holiday to the next. Thatcher as Miss April? interior and their property confiscated leaders arrested for belonging to an un If Emery's selections seem too dated. (1942 ). lawful as sociation (1931). What made our Calendar of Individual Freedom so Even if it doesn't spell a day off, at least None of Canada's prime ministers ap cartoonist Nicole Hollander . creator or it's a bright spot on the office calendar. pear to have impressed Emery. but • l\larch 8 - Passage of the Lord's Day • Sept. 8 - Anti-Japanese, anti-Chi that great cynic. Sylvia. has come up with different from other calendars? nese riots occur in Vancouver. with mobs United States president Thomas Jeffer Act forbidding Sunday work. travel and a calendar all her own. Leap year makes this a particularly killing immigrants (1901). son shows up as Mr. September. and we commercial entertainment (1906). She points out that International Wom To begin with, various dates throughout the calendar gloomy time. because instead of tacking • March 10 - Sweden has the world's • Sept. 14 - Dorothea Palmer arrested en's Day is March 8. March 17 is alrea dy the extra 24 hours onto the end of June have Aristotle holding down this month 's first democratically elected Socialist gov and charged in Eastview, Ont., for di ~ tri tagged for St. Patrick's Day. but Sylvia w ere highlighted in either red or green, the former where they belong, February is assigned covering shot. commemorating freedom's "dark days" in history with the ernment (1920). bution of birth information. Her later ac also predicts that on this date in 1988 a 29 days, with the result that this month The calendar is a plethora of Canadian • April 2"": Canadian government le quittal paved th e way for legal distribu group of women will take over a boot fac latter commemorating freedom's positive days in history. feels like an endurance test. and international historical tidbits galizes trade unions and strikes (1872). tion of bi rth control facts (1936). tory and force designers to make boots marked in green and red: green to high The calendar also featured many quotable quotes by Most Canadian calendars do nothing to • April 22 - Canadians legally restrict· • Oct. 16 - The War Measures Act is big enough for the normal woman's calf. famous and not-so-famous people. Last, but certainly not pu rge ou r-reputation as a nation of nice, light what the Freedom Party views as ed from moving to Victoria, Ottawa, Van used for the first time in peacetime, re (We can only hope she's right.) grand days, and red signifying the dark least, as each month's page was turned, a picture of one but dull. people who mark the usual couver. Hamilton and Toronto because of sulting in 465 people being detained Singer Grace Jones will celebrate her days. of freedom 's "heroes" was featured along with a quote by Anglo-Saxon holidays, with the occasion a housing shortage (1944). (1970). 36th birthday on May 19. and Sylvi a spec al Jewish religious date for good However, since the advancement of • I\lay 1 - CBC radio established ulates that on June 7 some of the gues ts that individual. • Oct. 18 - Canadian women are legal- measure. personal freedom is the intention of th e (933). 1\' declared " per sons" (1929). who have appeared on D(lvid Letterman's >But there is hope and it comes from a Freedom Party, I'm sure Emery won 't • I\lay 28 - Old age pension plan en • • Nov. 8 - Aylmer, Que., passes bylaw show will be awarded Purple Hea rts in a The twelve distinguished individuals whose pictures very unlikely source - the Freedom mind if we decide for ourselves which acted (1927). r egulating "peace. order and good mor secret ceremony. appeared in our first calendar were as follows: Ayn Rand, Party. are the good and bad markers for 1988. • June 19 - Canada's first postal als." It bans swearing. fortune-telling. The late Mae West was born on Aug. 17. Aristotle, Nat Hentoff, Margaret Thatcher, Thomas This is a calendar which offers a few Some of the dates taken from E mery's strike called (1924). roller skating. su ggestive music and lewd a good reason for women to force them reasons to smile, although not always in • June 29 - Ontario's minimum wage magazines (1955). selves to shop for new bras. J efferson, Walter Block, Ludwig Von Mises, Thomas calendar represent a good excuse to cel e the spots where London's Marc Emery in brate by eating something fattening. Oth law goes into effect (1964). • !\ov. 12 - After being banned for M any of the events listed a bove may not Sowell, Walter E. Williams, Colin Brown, Milton Friedman, tended us to be grinning when he re ers are a national shame and serve as re • July 9 - French and English become four years. Playboy ma gazine is allowed change our lives. but they may help us Adam Smith. searched. compiled and printed iL minders of the consequences of the official languages of the civil service into Canada - although not likely into make it through the wintf' 1' and for that I What other calendar can you buy for prejudice and intolerance. Whethe r he (1969). Aylmer. Que .. Emery notes (1957 ). thank Sylvia and Emery. Sorry, the 1988 Calendar of Individual Freedom has h two calendars. We , been completely sold out and copies are no longer "Thanks so much f or t e . I dOne , available. " My congratulati~ ns on your 7988 calendar, . t the work InVO ve . ding copies to me ~t. the which is the best of, its kind that I have seen in 20 certainly apprecla e . office and the other will I{i''"------"I appreciate your ;;~ Calendar of IndiVidual years. Many of the quotations cited are useful as calendar noW hangs In my It will be fun to Needless to say, our 1989 Calendar of Individual be used in FEE's computer room." "Thank you very much for the two copies of the University of your intellectual ammunition in the freedom fight round Freedo m is already well under production and will be keep track of Ontario'S important dates calendar. For a 'homemade' production, I think that the globe. Thank you, and keep up the good Freedom. alendar over; it looks /ike a you did an excellent job. Keep me on your mailing ma rk etted to a broad North American audience. (Future "I have looked the mainly to let yo.u knov: work. " c. Bettina Bien Greaves list for next year's calendar. For the interest of you pl ans may include an international version of the fine job. However, I w~/te teaching at Chicago In THE FOUNDA TlON FOR ECONOMIC membership, my new book, AI/It Takes Is Guts calendar. ) 10,000 calendars will be produced for the U.S. that I retired from, act/~~en been at the Hoover Bruce Evoy market, highlighting mostly American dates in the history Vice President, International Relations; EDUCA TlON INC. has been recently released and is available through I 1977 and have since . 't a wholly research l of freedom, while another 3,000 calendars will be f rd Un/versl y, . d Founder, Libertarian Party of Canada Irvington-On-Hudson, New Y~rk Laissez Faire Books in New York. Institution at Stan 0 I te that I terminate my produced specifically for our Canadian market. . I 'ght a so no go LIBERTARIAN INTERNA TlONAL L __ ----::.:~~=:::::=:::::::::::::::::::::EE:Ezq "Keep up the good work. B est wishes for organizatiOn. ml I some three years a Richmond, Virginia Week co umn " Thank you for sending a copy of your calendar success in 1988." regular News . . f r seventeen years. to me. I w ould like to commend you on your The 1989 calendars will be professionally produced on after having w"tten '; :as flattered that yOU chose "Thank you very much for . quality paper with sturdy covers. We expect that the your 1988 Calendar of I .. J' .sendmg me a copy of initiative. Walter E. Williams "Needless to say, " . nulvldual Fre d ca lendar may become an historica l event itself. . your calendar... " I would also like to take this opportunity to John M. Olin Distinguished use me In very Impressed with it and . e am. I am to order for more. Would like to place an thank you and some of the members of your Professor of Economics Milton Friedman executive for your past support for the NCC and to "~ GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY . Research FellOW eep up the great work. " w ish you all a health y, safe and prosperous new Sentor ON WAR The unsolicited reactions at right were indicative of ye ar HOOVER PEACE responses to our 1988 Calendar of Individual Freedom: /NS~~~~O:ND REVOL Stanf~rd, California Patrick T. Peterson David Somerville, President THE HEARTLAND INSTITUTE NA TlONAL CITIZENS' COALITION ~~188]8jwmmm77077m~~~ ____ ~C~h~/~c~a~go,VHnois Toronto, Ontario 12\ ELECTION .,,_ -- ~I Two new frontiers for Freedom Party in 1987 were the ridings of Mississauga East and Mississauga South. Yet, Freedom Party candidate despite the fact that Freedom Party was an unfamiliar entity to most of the voters in these ridings, our best vote returns were produced here. not looking for miracles Perhaps it had something to do with the tongue-in The Freedom Party of Ontario has put forward a cil ndi cheek confidence expressed by Mississauga South date to run in the Mississauga East riding. candidate Chris Balabanian who, on the day following the Ca ndidate William Frampton, 30, is realistic enough to election, was quoted by the Mississauga News as saying know that his chances of taking the riding from Tory in he "was hoping to be the Right Honourable Chris cumbent Bud Gregory are minimal. but the computcr Balabanian by eight o'clock tonight." analyst will consider his campaign a success if il few Both Balabanian and fellow Mississauga candidate more people learn about the Freedom Party. "To a new party just getting started. vo tes are not an William Frampton (Mississauga East) are to be congrat objective." says Frampton. "Attracting new supporters, ulated for their virtually single-handed efforts in bringing members and activists for the period following the elcc Freedom Party's message of individual freedom to their tion is our campaign goal" community. The Freedom Party was formed in Jan. 198-1 as an alternative to the three existing parties which Frampton Mississauga East candidate William Frampton, who FR.-\I\IPTO:\ says "are pretty much alike accept for minor differences produced Freedom Party's highest vote total (767 votes in what they advocate." representing a 2.37% return) readily admits that "my vote The Riverspray Cres. resident says his party wants a government that total was undoubtedly boosted by the fact that with four protects freedom of choice. rather than restricting it. candidates on the ballot, I was the only alternative for Frampton would push for freedom of choice in Sunday shopping, put an end those who wanted to cast a protest vote." to censorship and abolish government monopolies in order to create competi- Yet, the significance of a 2% vote total should never be tion . -reprinted, Mississauga News, August 72, 7987 underestimated. In Mississauga South, where Chris Balabanian's 707 votes represented a 2.16% return, the margin by which Conservative candidate Margaret Liberal hopeful skips East POlC-l.COU· Marland retained her riding was only 599 votes. All-candidates meeting doesn't ha~e all candidates Hy JO ;\:-I~ S\IIT11 ( ; I!~S()" met'tings already know who they '· evening wore on :'.Iannl tossed his Starr Reporter re going to support. The und ecided notes -'~ . Chris Balabanian (Freedom Party) Freedom Party candidate The basic tenets of the Freedom Party are individual freedom and - individual re has no time for socialism' sponsibility, says Chris Bala The only common them e among the three tra· bani an, the part{s standard ditional Canadian political parties is their soc ial bea rer in Mississauga South. ism. says Chris Balabanian. the Freedom Party The purpose of the party, candidate in Mississauga South. says the 42-year-old Balaban "The Conservatives have stopped talking li ke ian. is to protect freedom of Conservatives." he says . '·the NOP are outright choice. not restrict it. communists, and the Liberals are dancing to He attacks the three main every tune." says the 42 -year-old bac helor. li ne parties as "socialist" and CHRI S "It's murder to have to live under soc iali sm. " says his party will not change BAL ABAN IAN sa \'s the candida te. who had that expe ri ence as a its pos itio ns if it \rins power. vouth in hi s native Sy ri a. Balab!lnian doesn't expect to wi n the ri ding, but - Ba labanian joined the Freedom Party' ea rlIer he says he's running to attract new supporters this yea r because he ag rees with its posit io n that and members. The Freedom Party is ' fie lding CIIRIS go vernments are far too in volved in the Ii\'es of about a dozen cand ida tes across th e province. BAL\ B:\:\L\'\ citi ze ns and bus ll1 ess men. " You cannot breathe The part{s platform incl udes no restrictions with ou t brea ki ng some obscure la\\·. ·· he says. on Sunda y shopping. an end to censorship in On tario, and promotion of free markets. As a small As a sma ll-businessman \\ho runs a clothing bo uti q u ~ in the riding, Bala ba ni an says. " We are being overtaxed to th e poin t of s uffoca ti on. " A lt ho~l gh business man who ha s operated the Golden Gate clothing bout ique in Port Credit for four years. he li ves in l\1i ssissauga Ea st. the candida te has run hi S busll1ess 111 Port (re· Balabani an says he's felt the long arm of dit for four years. . . . government in his busi nes5. One of the poli cies that attracted him to the party is its opposit ion to sub ~ I ' dies of anv kind. sa ys Ba laban ian . " It's the res ponSibili ty of e\wy :ndl\'ldua l "We are being overtaxed to the point of suffo cation. " he sa\·s . " You cannot brea the without to make It on hi s -o\\·n. " he says. " rather than to ask for ·handouts. The breaking some-obsc ure law ." government gives money to \r hoever as ks for it." Ba labanian sa ~'s he hopes to spend no more th an S500 on hi s ca mpaign. whic h he \\'i11 pay for him self. He The candidate lives in Mi ss issauga East where another Freedom Party candidate. Bill Framp hopes to distribute 20.000 lea flets on the Freedom Part y In hi S doo r-to -door ton. also lives . Balabanian ran in Mississauga c:::nvassing. South because his business is located there. The bachelor is the ed ucational vi ce-president -reprinted, Mississauga News, August 19, 1988 of th e Port Cred it T03stm asters . -reprinted, Mississauga News, September 1 " 1987 Election night with a difference Party pair finds cheers on the bottom credit. fe ll ow cand idate Balaban fi ce every half-hour \\'as more ian said . "that's good but my mom bound to bOring joy. didn 't want me to run she \rants Co nsistin g of just three people me to give myse lf to Jesus.·- sitting in the living roo m of For Freedom ca nd idates loca lly . Frampton's east-end apartment. elec tion night didn 't mea n \\in or in cluding Frampton's wife and hi s lose . It mea nt ge tti ng toget her and fell o\r ca ndidat e. Ba labani an. the hoping for the bes t. An d acco rding ce lebration was loose and ea sy. to both candi ates . th e res ult was ,, ' \\'as hoping to be th e Ri ght better th an they could hare hoped. Hon ourable Chris Balabani an bl' ~, .,.. . ~ , '\' In Ba labani an's ca~e . the spoil er eight o'c loc k toni ght.· ' joked the .""""r ...... : ··' role \\'as hi s a - his ma r ~in of \'otes sout h i\lississa uga busin essma n. made the difference 'het ll een a "but I' m still pl eased I gut th is \I ac l\ ay-Lassond e \'I cton' and a 1ll<11l\' \'ote s. " \I arla ncl \ri n. . (hi;J mo re serious not e. Framp \\'atching the ea rl : returns on ton Sil ld th e party 's repect ;J ble te le\·is ion. the candidates found sho\I'ing pro\'ed the party isn' t just disap point me nt th ou gh faci ng si· another fringe party . " \\'e're just a tu ati ons un fa mili ar to the mai n· major party getting start ed." he str ea m groups. For instance. they said . "\\'e are a creditable alt erna StaH photo bl Si eve W ~H:;, . ·12" lea rned qui ckly that th e T\' cover tl\'C. " _Th e wi nner and st ill champiun . :\I i ~, i s s a ll g a E;I.;t Fn'prlonl pari.' c lI li litl .ilt· age is rese rved for the big three Both say th ey pl an to run in th e Bi ll Frampton r aises thr arm of fello\1 parl.\ candidatl' Chri, Iblah;lni.111 ill and tha t a ca ll to the ret urn ing of- next elec ti on. lictory a ft er hearin g both had smashed thl' .; 1111 lotI' barrit'l'. 14[ ElECT/(JN ·81- T(JR(JNT(J The Freedom Party at OntarIO facing voters in Don Mills is a sim will field its first Metro candidate in ple one - state control or individual Don Mills riding. freedom . Voters must decide to be Computer analyst and consultant responsible for their own choices or David Pengelly will run for the Lon- the politicians of the other parties don-based party. . will make them for us." But he admits that his chances of His platform will centre on Sun winning the predominantly Tory day shopping - a thorny issue in the riding are smalL if not non-existent. side of the Liberal government - "My objective in running as the censorship, a free market economy Freedom Party's first Toronto and ending government monopo candidate is to attract new suppor lies. I ters, members and activists for the "Unlike the traditional parties, period following the election," says the Freedom Party is committed to Pengelly. "That's when the Free the principles cif individual freedom dom Party really makes a differ and individual responsibility," said ence in the communities where it is Pengelly. "The purpose of govern established. " ment is to protect our freedom of Freedom Pengelly says that "the choice choice. not to restrict it." Toronto: Glen Magder is one individual who knows what can happen There can be no denying that, as a place to introduce a when politicians make our new political party, Toronto represents one of the choices for us. As the son of toughest markets to crack. Toronto furrier Paul Magder, he's learned first-hand how In a city the size of Toronto, competition for media politicians can arbitrarily punish honest, hard-working citizens. coverage and attention is intense. To complicate matters " My family's experi ence w itr even further, the ethnic makeup of several of the city's Ontario's Sunday closing laws areas requires an approach (i.e., translating our literature has taught me that you don't ha ve to be a c riminal in this into different languages) that may have to be quite province to be treated like one," different from that used in most areas of the province, a says Glen. luxury that a small party like Freedom Party cannot yet Glen is Freedom Party's GLEN MAGOER candidate in Fort York, and he'd afford. like to let you know that he'll be looking for your support These considerations were among the many challenges during and after this Ontario election. " Freedom Party campaigned aggressively for freedom of facing Freedom Party candidates David Pengelly (Don c hoice in Sunday shopping and wasn't afraid to fight the issue Mills) and Glen Magder (Fort York). on prlf1ciple." remarks Glen. "It's a prinCiple that I've seen Freedom Party actively demonstrate in all of its campaigns'" Any meaningful press profiles or coverage of Freedom the prinicple of individual freedom." Party's two Toronto candidates were almost nonexistent, That's why Glen decided to become a candidate fo r though this factor did not seem to have any direct effect Freedom Party. " By running in this election, I'm offering the people in Fort on their vote totals. In fact, Pengelly's vote return of York a new political option "- the option to vote fortheir right to 1.75% represented the third highest return for a Freedom make their own choices. I'm in this for the long·run, and the Party candidate while Magder's 0.83% represented the work I'm doing now is my investment towards the future growth of Freedom Party and for freedom of choice in Ontario." lowest. The inconsistency in vote results was clearly due Glen can usually be reached at (416) 363-5852. He'll be to the character and makeup of each candidate's riding. happy to discuss Freedom Party's new approach to your candidate's riding. concerns. For Glen Magder (son of Toronto furrier Paul Magder, who has been challenging Ontario's Sunday closing laws in the courts for many years now), the fact that eight candidates were fielded in his riding of Fort York was undoubtedly the most significant factor in the lower vote return. Moreover, 62 % of the voters in Fort York have a non-English mother tongue (primarily Portuguese, Chinese, Italian) arid the availability of our English-only Public Opinion is the judgment of the literatu re was a distinct handicap. As a late entrant to the incapable many opposed to that of the election race, Magder, like our Mississauga candidates, discerning few. must be commended on his virtually single-handed effort. On behalf of David Pengelly in Don Mills, our thanks must be extended to volunteers David Blackmore, Vic and Barbara Brown, Wayne and Heather Borean, Kathleen Crawford, Steve Hutton, David Levy, John Pengelly, Salma Rahma n, Mike Revell , and Michael Wallis. iElECTI()N .,,- ISSIJES 15 ELECTION '87 - - - THE ISSUES The following brief synopsis, which is by no means all-inclusive or detailed, represents a very brief summaryI _ of FREEDOM PARTY's Election '87 platform on the major issues that surfaced during the campaign: I • FREEDOM OF CHOICE in ABORTION & DAYCARE: • FREEDOM OF CHOICE in EDUCATION: Raising children, like having them, is an individual Taxpayers should have the right to direct their choice and an individual responsibility. It's the education taxes to the school of their choice. Competition government's job to keep it that way. in educational services means higher standards, lower • LOWER TAXES AND REDUCED GOVERNMENT costs. DEFICITS: • FREEDOM OF CHOICE in BUSINESS & LABOUR: There's no way to avoid the fact that taxes directly Competition, whether in business or labour, means relate to government spending. Any talk about "tax more opportunity, lower prices, a healthie r economy. No reform", in the absence of dramatic cuts to government worker should be forced to join a union or to pay spending, can only mean higher taxes, higher government compulsory union dues; No businessperson should be debt. forced to join a business association (BIA) or to pay taxes • FREEDOM OF CHOICE in HOUSING: to them. Let's make the words "voluntary" and Rent controls violate fundamental private property "consent" the keys to business and labour relationships. rights and contribute to accommodation shortages and high housing prices. Rent controls don't work, and should • FREEDOM OF CHOICE in SUNDAY SHOPPING: be phased out as soon as possible. "Sunday shopping" is not just a single issue. Sunday shopping involves individual choice, self-responsibility, • FREEDOM OF CHOICE in TRADE: private property rights, individual justice, freedom of Free trade means lower taxes, lower prices on goods religion, and free enterprise, to mention but a few of the and services, and more consumer and investment dollars real issues involved. available to create jobs and enterprises in areas where true economic demand exists. The sooner, the better. • FREEDOM OF CHOICE in INSURANCE: A private, competitive insurance industry is our only • A SENSIBLE, WORKABLE, HEALTH, WELFARE, long-term ticket to social security. State-run auto AND PENSION SYSTEM: insurance schemes, like state-run health plans and People who cannot help themselves should be helped pension plans, are one-way tickets to bankruptcy. Let's on an individual basis, considering individual needs, not by keep it private. subsidizing entire industries and services or by instituting universal government programs. To the greatest degree • FREEDOM OF CHOICE in IDEAS: possible, we must work towards establishing responsibl e Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. Let's self-supporting welfare and pension systems, privately protect it. Say NO to censorship. funded, privately administered. Government should be the last resort for social ass istance. not the first one. REFLECTIONS '87 A REMINDER OF ACCOMPLISHMENT With a view overlooking the fork of the Thames River from the London Regional Art Gallery's cafe dining room in downtown London, about sixty Freedom Party members and supporters spent an enjoyable evening (November 21 , 1987) reviewing Freedom Party's first four years of accomplishments, with a special emphasis on 1987. Dinner attendees were treated to video clips highlighting the year's major issues while party leader Robert Metz recapped the significant details behind the news stories. Action Director Marc Emery, during his speech reflecting on 1987, discussed the necessity of taking a firm stand on the issues that one supports, and of the courage required (and exhibited by many Freedom Party supporters) to meet the intimidation tactics of our political opponents. 1987 was a year in which Freedom Party participated in its second provincial election by reaching out into the homes of over 140,000 Ontario voters. 1987 was a year in which our campaign for freedom of choice in Sunday shopping gained national prominence and attention. 1987 was yet another year in which we successfully fought for freedom of choice in both business and labour. Dinner attendees each received a 12-page Reflections '87 souvenir brochure which included a year-end message from Freedom Party president Robert Metz, a recap of what we accomplished during our first four years, an d quotable quotes relatin g to our activities during the same period of time. In addition to our Reflections '87 dinner event, a separate one-day workshop entitled Agenda '88 was conducted on the following day (Su nday, November 22) . The workshop featured discussion on the subjects of Freedom Party's image, constitution, market targetting, recruiting and fundraising, etc., and invited participation of those in attendance . 6 I ElECTION ..,- LONDON NORTH BYELECTION SETS NEW PRECEDENTS It took less than six months for Ontario voters to Once again, over 30,000 Freedom Party election become disenchanted with the Ontario Liberals' majority brochures were delivered to homes in the riding, this time won in late 1987. In a riding that only five months earlier emphasizing our candidate Barry Malcolm, rather than handed a resounding majority victory to Liberal-elect Ron emphasizing the introduction of Freedom Party as a new Van Horne, voters reacted to his premature resignation by political alternative to voters. turning the riding of London North over to the Progressive Conservatives' candidate, Dianne Cunningham. Ironically, out of six candidates contesting the seat of London North, only Freedom Party and the New Cunningham, a local school board trustee who, with the Democrats fielded the same candidates in the byelection help of PC Interim Leader Andy Brandt, launched a heavy that were fielded during Election '87. Most significantly, campaign of misinformation and hysteria against Sunday Freedom Party was the only party in the London North shopping, made the traditional political promises to byelection that purchased television advertising (courtesy increase government spending without raising taxes, and of FP supporter and contributor Robert Smeenk), and se ized the riding on the tails of an incredible voter appro ximately 22 ads were aired on London's CFPL TV ba cklash against the Liberal government. during the final week of the campaign. The television ads, featuring candidate Barry Malcolm in two different For Freedom Party, the London North byelection 30-second messages, concentrated on the issues of represented another golden opportunity to have our "free Sunday shopping and on the recent promise of increased minds, free markets" philosophy promoted in a public taxation made by Liberal leader Da vid Peterson. forum. as well as offering us a chance to criticize the unworkable policies and philosophies of the major parties. Response to Freedom Party's byelection campaign by Moreover, we could concentrate our resources and efforts the public and by the media was both positive and on a single riding and, hopefully, make a modest increase flattering. Candidate Barry Malcolm was exceptional as in our vote return. representative of our new political party, and although most voters understandably did not yet view Freedom At the time of the election call, Freedom Party's profile Party as being an "electable" political alternative, our and visibility in the London area were quite high, given our ideas, alternatives, philosophy, and " common sense" rece nt pla cement of full-page newspaper ads promoting approach to the issues were met with a great deal of freedom of choice in Sunday shopping (watch for enthusiasm and acceptance, thus paving the way for coverage, next issue of Freedom Flyer], and ou r frequent greater inroads in the future. public debates on the issue, an issue which surprisingly became t he dominant one in the byelection. issed real issue 'f r candidates m w more of the taxpay~ . 'Exam 0 we wanted to th~o dollars into teach~rs h 23 Free Press an ers' hard earne he arties were gomg Sir: In the !llarc ive cunningham salaries and how t ·fy in the state-run, article tit\~d !e~. c~~~~gthat 1. the Fre~- to provide job setcl·uornl system. . I straight A s In ~c~ in London NO~ , Iy educa ertam y rtv ca,n, dldatoe_called 17-queStlOn monopo P rty positions are c . dom Pa .~ h Freedom a teachers' umon, so had "flunked t. e ;ers' union by not an- contradictOry .to t~~'flunked" their tes~, test from the t~~C Federation of On.tar- it is no surprise Freedom Party IS swenng any o~ \~~ol Teachers questIOnS but that is beca~se ising standards of 10 Secondary c . truly interested. m .ra a healthy dos~ of put to me. . I ft by. the artIcle IS education by brd\llfg~e~om of choice mto The impreSSIOn e ot interested \l1 the competition an .. > r nd not by pander: that I was somehOW I ~ I didn't respond. the educatIOn held: a narrow interests ·IS5\1es. and somehb°::' further from the. the self-se\'V 1I1 g • uld <. e a Ing to . 'on d Nothing co . - taken to glv o( a teachers l~nl .. :s more intereste truth. Great care wa~ed the Freedom This "federatlOn I. f the system re s pO~lse that refle~rucation. WIth p~r~ I poiitical maniPul~tlo~ ~ecurity in a Party s stand on to raising the stan ~~ give its members 130 and the ques- ticular emphaSIS . \d placIng greater government mflono~~\r~. Had the ~e~.er~ dards of ed.ucat~on·i~1 the hands of par- tions aske? re ec r answers in theIr re . freedom ot ChOIC~ t nding schools: ation reprinted OU of London North ents of chIldren ~th~t the 17 QuestIons port card." the Vthotaetr~he Freedom PdartYf But that IS n~t . on addressed. None Id d scover t dar SO le teache.rs unwlere about the hIgh wou I d about raising san. are by ti s t is concerne . the other partIes of the questIon. schools and hoW 0 education. whlle taxpayer be taxed to illiteracy rates I~out the high dropout content to let.t he a monopoly system solve them. or a Ive it or about hoW th to proVI de for. rate and hoW to S~t for' young people ~~:t is a tragiC fall~~RY MALCOLM high unemployme this sad state of London Cand'ldate. London North has resulted from •. affairs. t' ons were about whether .' All the ques I I ElECTIIN .,,- On Thursday, March 31, Freedom Party scoffs 1988, the vote returns were in, Freedom Party's Bar ry Malcolm drew 548 votes in the riding, nominally at fringe party title increasing his vote per centage over Election '87 By Joseph Ruscitti to th e communit y than getting propI,rll' rights b\' not allowing from 1.34 percent to 1.67 the car of politicians, people to opell up their busi percent. Viewed in isola (This is thp,lost in a series of nesses, tion, such results may not What purpose. if I can use the intpfI'ie\I's \I 'ith thl' cOI1r1 idotes seem impressive. But con in th e London ,\ 'ortl1 prol'inciol term fringe party , , , Wh at are the other issues lor sidering the heavy anti bl'plcct ion ,J you in the upcoming byelection? \\'elll do mind I'OU calling us Liberal backlash, the low Free trade, Dianne Cunning a fringe partv, "Fringe" connotes ham wants to restri ct Sunday voter turnout (called "ex Barrv Malcolm is running for an idea of unreasonableness and the rr~edom Parh' in his second shopping, \'et thinks free trade is ceptionally low" by some irriltionalitv and we are not thilt media reports), and the campaign, The :J:l-\'ear-old oper kind of party at all. We' re a major a good thing, I agrt!l! it is. but ator at the Creenway Pollution why the hypoc ri s\'" Is trade good fact that six candidates party, ju st getting started, Co ntrol Plant uns'uccessfullv for us or isn't it ? She doesn't were fielded in the riding, contested th e same seat in Sep V"hat purpose. then. do major seem to knOll', the results served to con tember. parties just getting started serve? Elaine I'ensa dOI!sn't want firm our initial expectations responsibilitl' fo r protecting free that, despite the many WhatI does the" f ree d om .. In' We're too s mall to govern at choice in S unci av shopping, but positive factors in our fav Freedom Party stand for? thi s point, but \I'e're \'ery action wants to restrict' choices in free our, significant vote expec Basica ll v, freedom of the in o ri ented in the commu nity and trade, tations for a party our size di\'idual fr~m tll£' ra\'ages of state have a strong role in defining the are as yet unrealistic, and interventi on, We believe people issues, I\nd we can influence What other issues? shoulcl be free to make cho ices voters to vo ice thei r concerns in The l'ciucation iss ue is very must be viewed in t erms of Il'i thout und ue state interfer il way that protects the ir free import ilnt in London 0.'o rth , Peo long-term objectives and ence, doms, pip should be able to direct the ir resu Its, That doesn't mean we're anti education tax dollilrs to the state, We be lieve in a strong but school 01 their c hoice, Ulti Thus it is with renewed lim ited government. People mately, their education ta xes commitment that we look themselves are in the best posi should end once they've paid off towards the long-term ob that account. tion to seek solutions to their jectives on which our re problems, How do you foresee people sou rces and efforts will be bei ng able to do that? focussed, With the con In the last election you won r\ S one example, someone tinued help and involve would register at a school and only 534 votes, a nd you're not ment of our members and likely to get elected this time, thp expense the school charges supporters, there can be What do you hope to accom \\'()ul d be sent to the govern no doubt that the prospect plish? nwnt. Theil that education ac (ount would be pi.lid off in taxes of Freedom Party's be Even before the last e lecti on, 1)\' thl' peopll: using the services, coming an electable alter the Freedom Party and the peo native in Ontario is much ple who have gi\'en thei r timp , That sounds like a pre\ly more than an unrealized and monel' to us ha\'(, hild an ef heavy bureaucratic hurden to dream; it is an eventuality fect on people, I I me. especially coming from a whose time will undoubted For instance, members of our Freedom party candidate Barry party trying to get government -Iy come. execut i\'l! ilddressed (O nt a ri o Malcolm, out of as many areas as possible, Premier l)a\'idJ Peterson's stand· :\ s possible. \'I:S, Thilt's the ing committee on Sund,r." shop "1'\ , '1'111' glll'l' rrllllent wo uld onl v ping, The Libe ral s said ' the\' The popular i\lost would say our fn~ edoms Ill' prll\'idi llg th,' opportunity to 1I'(!rt' firm in tlwir stalld, th£!n II'(! plan to gain free are a lready proteclt!d, PII"I II ' it , nllt diLtilting thl! II'PI! had SOlllP t'lf('ct on eha Ilg i Il g II I I' clilldtilli l PI'IlJlII! dp,i rt !, dom is to enslave their mi ll d although tlH'v tUrlwd \\Hl , takl' th(, iSSUI' III Sund;I\' others. shopping - it's Ililt ju st ;1 s ingl(' to til£' I\'I'Ollg altcrnat ivf!, It J)Of:S that C:I)VI~r all the issues" shou ld be tlH' clwin' 01 i'I,t ;lilt'rs iSSUI :, \\'hilt \'Illi hd\'(' is tIlt' Action will re Thl'lI' .In' utlll'rs, hu t thl'l' illl to cOllduct iJUSilll'SS Oil Freedom Party's position on the Sunday shopping issue in Ontario may not yet net us Sunday shopping issue any extra votes, but it has focussed the attention of voters and the media on us. The dominating campaign article at left indicates that Sunday shopping was --- and still is --- a high priority in the Abortion. student housing. free She wants protec tion against work public's mind. trade, possible tax incr eases. the ers being forced to work Sundays. need for improved post-secondary • Diane Whiteside of the NDP sa id a majority of people in London education - all are issues in Lon In mid-May, FP Action Director and don North. But the issue dominat N orth are oppose d to Sunday shop ing the campaign so far is Sunday ping and so is she. A common pause businessman Marc Emery was jailed for three shopping. day is needed to protect family life. and a half days for refusing to pay a $500 fine • Conservative Dianne Cunning she said. imposed on him for employing "too many ham opposes the gove rnme nt's • Brenda Rowe of the Family people" on a Sunday. Customers contribut plan to let municipalities decide Coalition opposes Sunday shop ed $380 towards his fine, while another $ 730 whether to allow Sunday shopping. ping in the inter es t of protecting She sa id Sunday shopping will dis family life. She said opening stores was creditted to Emery for his stay in jat!o r upt f amily life for thousands of on Sundays will only spread r etail people forced to work on Sundays. business over se ven days instea d of On his other Sunday opening charges, • Liberal Elaine Pensa supports si x and incr ease business operat Emery refused to use a lawyer in any of his government policy although she ing expc nses. costing the consumer has had to r econcile it with her in the long run. court appearances, and thus avoided incurr " family-oriented background." She .• Barry Malcolm orthe Freed om ing any legal fees. In the most outrageous sa id something had to be done be party supporis Sunday shopping. verdict we've ever heard of, Emery was cause r etail closing legisl ation was saying forcing Ill <;! r chants to close found not guilty on all other charges when Sundays is a vio lati on of th eir prop not working. Government policy is the judge claimed that the Crown had "failed fair. she sa id. because London ca n prty rights. He wou Id prefer to Ie! keep stores closed if that's what the m arketplace dec ide the issue. to prove that Emery was in fact the owner of people want while another munici " If' people don't wa nt to shop on his store" --- despite Emery's repeated pality ca n allow its stor es to open. Sunday. stor es \\ion '! ~tay open." references throughout the trial to "his store" FOUNDING C.F.O. RETIRES: RE GIONA L VICE-PRESIDENT APPOINTED TO METRO REG ION: Murray Hopper, Freedom Party's founding Chief Financial Officer (CFO), retired from his provincial William Frampton, who has already represented executive position effective December 31, 1987. Murray Freedom Party as a candidate in the riding of and his wife Shirley expect to be spending a portion of Mississauga East (and where he is also president of his each year in the sunny south (Florida), where Freedom registered constituency), has been appointed to the Party's loss may well become Freedom Party's gain. provincial executive as Regional Vice-president, Metro Chairman. Mr. Hopper will be spending more of his hours working for Freedom Party in his capacity as writer and Manager Mr. Frampton's efforts on our behalf earned him his of Special Projects, where his style and approach have position with Freedom Party where, as our primary proven to break new grounds in our advocacy of individual representative in the Toronto-Mississauga region, he has freedom. An avowed socialist for forty of his sixty-eight ;proven himself to be a committed advocate of individual years, Murray's insight and understanding of the socialist freedom and Freedom Party. perspective have proven to be a great asset to Freedom Party. Frampton fully recognizes the nature of the challenge before him and has been actively busy recruiting new Hopper broke new ground for Freedom Party when, supporters, getting involved in community issues, and on March 21, 1988, he became our first bona-fide editorial writing articles and letters to various contacts in an effort contributor to one of Ontario's largest circulation to create an increased awareness of Freedom Party. newspapers, the London Free Press. A computer analyst and programmer with Kurtz and NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER APPOINTED: Steel in Mississauga, Frampton has become increasingly involved with Freedom Party since his first contact with Effective January 1, 1988, 36-year-old Dean Hodgins us in 1985. The Summer '87 issue of Freedom Flyer was appointed to replace retiring Murray Hopper as Chief featured a profile on Bill . If his past commitment to Financial Officer, and member of our provincial executive. Freedom Party is any indication, the future looks bright for Freedom Party in the Metro Toronto region . Mr. Hodgins has been CFO for each of Freedom Party's registered constituency associations since their 11TH CONSTITUENCY ASSOC. REGISTERED initial registrations in 1987. (It's his signature that AS BYELECTION ANNOUNCED: validates all of Freedom Party's official receipts.) Having a single CFO to manage and supervise our centralized We are pleased to announce that we can now add the accounting and administration system has proven to be an riding of Weiland-Thorold to the list of constituencies efficient approach to the red tape and paperwork imposed where we are now officially-registered. on officially-registered parties by Ontario's Elections Commission. But riding president, Barry Fitzgerald, may need our support a little earlier than anticipated. Shortly after the As manager of Insurance Accounting with the firm registration of his riding association on April 11, 1988, London & Midland (a wholly-owned AVCO subsidiary), Weiland-Thorold MPP Mel Swart (NDP) announced his Mr. Hodgins brings with him more than his knowledge of resignation, citing health reasons as the cause of his accounting and accounting systems. His past experience relinquishing a riding he had represented for the past 13 as a public accountant with the firm Clarkson & Gordon & years. Co., and moreover as staff auditor with British Columbia's Auditor-General, helped him discover first-hand the Barry has taken the plunge by offering to run as incredible waste and misappropriation of government Freedom Party's candidate in the upcoming byelection, spending. Much to his dismay, he learned that the Auditor yet to be announced. With a shortage of money, time, General's ministry was every bit as wasteful as the and volunteers to help him introduce Freedom Party to ministries it was auditing. his community, we're hoping that interested persons in his area or nearby will offer Barry their support. Barry can be Dean expects to complete his designation as a Certified reached at (416) 735-3538. General Accountant (CGA) within the year; his expertise and experience are most welcomed at Freedom Party. More on the upcoming Weiland-Thorold byelection on the ne xt page. 10TH CONSTITUENCY ASSOC. REGISTERED: It's official. Freedom Party is now registered in the provincial riding of Oakville South. The business of government is to make all Anyone wishing to get involved with Freedom Party in government unnecessary, just as wise par that area of the province is invited to contact constituency ents bring up their children to do without president Dan Chalykoff at [416) 844-5974. them. I ElECTIIN ..,- ~~ I WELLAND-THOROLD ABOUTTO DISCOVER FREEDOM PARTY Less that a month after registering our constituency association in the riding of Welland- Thorold, the prospect of another byelection became a reality. Although, as of this writing, it has not yet been officially announced, voters in the riding of Weiland Thorold are expected to be taking to the polls before the year is out, due to the resignation of New Democrat MPP Mel Sw~rt , who has held a firm grasp on the riding for the past thirteen years. This time round, Freedom Party will be represented by Barry Fitzgerald, a 35-year-old maintenance electrician with Atlas Steels in Weiland. As with the London North byelection, one of the major issues concerning voters in the upcoming Weiland-Thorold byelection will be the issue of Sunday shopping. " As Freedom Party's representative in the upcoming byelection, I'm proud to be the only candidate supporting individual freedom of choice in Sunday shopping, an issue that exemplifies the difference between Freedom Party's philosophy and the others," says Fitzgerald. " Whereas we believe that the individual should be the one to have the right to make choices affecting his or her life, all my political opponents believe that some level of government should be making those choices for us." Freedom Party's campaigning in the Weiland-Thorold area began as early as April 1988, when our first full-page newspaper ad advocating freedom of choice in Sunday shopping appeared in the Guardian Express (watch for coverage, next issue of Feedom Flyer). During the summer, volunteers from the London area visited the FREEDOM FLYER riding, helping to deliver Freedom Party's introductory Volume 2, Number 6, is published by the Freedom " Maybe Politics ... " brochure to the doors of voters who, Party of Ontario, a fully-registered Ontario political party. in all probability, have never heard of Freedom Party Contributions are tax-creditable. Subscription Rate: before . $25 for six issues. Editor: Robert Metz; Layout & Design: Thomas Vree, Marc Emery. Fitzgerald, who plans to appear before the govern FREEDOM PARTY OF ONTARIO ment's Standing Committee on Administration of Justice Statement of Principle: Freedom Party is founded on on August 29 to speak out in favour of freedom of choice the principle that: Every individual, in the peaceful pursuit in Sunday shopping, has been busy making contacts and of prersonal fulfillment, has an absolute right to his or her introducing Freedom Party to residents in his riding, own life, liberty, and property. Platform: That the since he became the party's unofficial representative in purpose of government is to protect individual freedom of the area late last year. It also appears that he will become choice, not to restrict it. Provincial Executive: Ontario involved with fighting an existing Business Improvement President: Robert Metz; Vice-president, Ontario: Lloyd Area [BIA] in Weiland, where discontent may already have Walker; Regional Vice-president, Metro Chairman: sown the seeds for yet another successful defeat of these William Frampton; Action Director: Marc Emery; Chief coe rcive "busin ess associations". Financial Officer: Dean Hodgins. Fitzgerald's election literature has already been pre FREEDOM PARTY OF ONTARIO pared and will be a hybrid of the literature used during P.O. Box 2214, Stn. 'A', El ec tion '87 and London North's byelection '88. As LONDON, Ontario always, the literature will solicit a response from residents, N6A4E3 with the expectation that a future membership base can be built in the area from those responses. (519) 433-8612 Freedom Party members and supporters are encour Offices aged to offer their support; anyone wishing to do so now 364 Richmond Street, 3rd Floor, may contact Barry at (416) 735-3538 or contact Freedom downdown London Party's offices in London at (519 ) 433-8612.