Page 2 June-September 2011 The Lower Island NEWS NDP convention, continued from page 1 trust of so many voters, and said that the He spoke of the hard working Canadian message that “Ottawa is broken and only family as Canada’s “greatest resource and Jack Layton can fix it!” resonated across strength” and said that we must pay hom- the country, but especially in Quebec. Que- age to the millions of women and men who becers who voted NDP in record numbers have worked so hard to bring about a better decided they wanted to be on the side of a Canada. party that could make a difference. He singled out former Saskatchewan Lavigne said that the thinking was to premier Alan Blakeney who passed away “Get out in front of the change and be there in mid-April for special recognition for his when it arrived.” “key role in bringing to Saskatchewan the He described various strategies that first health care system in North America”. helped to build volunteer teams. In Toronto Layton concluded with a special “Thanks Davenport, for example, teams of volunteers to You!” signifying the delegates on the floor were out in the riding doing pre-election who helped to deliver the best ever results campaign work: raising funds and getting for the New Democratic Party of Canada. others to volunteer. They went into schools The NDP leader received many stand- and seniors’ homes to get the vote out and ing ovations during the convention—when- they were also active on social network ever he entered or exited the convention sites. room. There was no doubt about the (In Saanich-Gulf Islands, the same respect and appreciation felt for him by Diane Walsh photo strategies were in place almost a year the delegates, but just to reinforce what Brother Gordon Gale, IOOF Grand Warden, BC (left) and Brother Jonathan Lee, before the writ was dropped, thanks to the was tacitly known, the results of the au- Victoria Lodge #1 Nobel Grand (centre) present a $2,700 cheque to the Canadian efforts of Jennifer Burgis, Michele Murphy, tomatic leadership review given near the Diabetes Association, represented by CDA board member and volunteer Chuck Carol Pickup, Linda Black and others on end of the convention showed that 97.9% Pusateri (right). the Election Planning Committee—but we of the more than 1,500 delegates voted couldn’t quite put together the budget that against seeking a party leader election. the Green Party put together for their pre- Has any other political leader ever Odd Fellows donate $2,700 to diabetes writ campaign in Saanich-Gulf Islands.) received that kind of support? Lay- On June 27, 2011. the Canadian Diabetes Association visited the IOOF at the Odd Other convention speakers included ton’s raised cane and his charismat- Fellows Hall on Douglas Street. There, members welcomed Chuck Pusateri, a volunteer Raymond Louie, Vancouver deputy mayor; ic smile became symbols of the hu- and board member for CDA for Vancouver island. Adrian Dix, leader, British Columbia NDP; manity that NDP members work for. Pusateri gave an excellent lecture presentation to a number of Odd Fellows from Lodge Stephen Lewis, former leader, Ontario NDP On CTV news the night the convention #1 on the growing diagnosis of the disease of diabetes -- including juvenile diabetes. He and former special envoy for HIV/AIDS in ended, political reporter Craig Oliver said also explained how people in the community can become involved raising awareness on Africa; Darrell Dexter, NDP premier of Nova that “Canadians are listening to the NDP health information and about the cause of CDA. Scotia; Ken Georgetti, president, Canadian with open ears.” “As someone who formally worked at the Canadian Diabetes Association in 1995 on Labour Congress; Andrea Horwath, leader, Four and a half million voting Canadi- the door-to-door campaign and, with diabetes in the family, I was thrilled to make contact Ontario NDP; Hélène Laverdière, NDP ans have awakened those who have been with Chuck,” said Diane Walsh, financial secretary of IOOF, Victoria Lodge #1. MP, Laurier/Sainte Marie, Québec; Romeo sleeping. The NDP is concerned with social Sagansh, NDP MP, Abitibi-Baie-James- justice issues that are inherent in policy Nunavik-Eeyou (Québec). decisions about the economy and jobs, Cool Aid survey shows it is seen as Layton’s closing address on Sunday the environment, health care, education, morning reiterated the winning NDP mes- childcare, and pensions. leading organization providing solutions sage: the right to quality health care, It remains for members to decide In March 2011, local marketing firm difference being made. education as the basis of the economy, the whether they want to identify themselves McAllister Media conducted an anonymous 38.5% of general public and businesses importance of women and men continuing as Ssocialists or social democrats going online survey on behalf of the Victoria Cool were somewhat familiar with Cool Aid, with to work to reach equality, the necessity of into the election four years from now. The Aid Society, which greatly appreciates and businesses trending towards very familiar basic environmental policies to assure clean question is: ARE the values the same? thanks those 390 people who donated their with 31.4% and the general public trending air and water, and assurance that seniors time by taking the online survey. towards familiar with 29%. are able to retire with dignity—not having to Starla Anderson is past president of Saanich-Gulf Due to the small sample size and the Over 70% correctly identified that Cool go to food banks for sustenance. Islands federal NDP riding association. self-selection of respondents results are Aid provided emergency shelter, a support not considered statistically reliable; however network, resources, health care and dental they do provide insights into areas for care, while 65% identified Cool Aid as a Tommy Douglas to appear on a postage improvement for the Cool Aid Society. homelessness charity that provided coun- The following key themes are noteworthy selling. Respondents were generally not stamp -- for the second time (elaborated below): aware that Cool Aid also provides housing Homelessness affects many people (351 units), mental health support, employ- Tommy Douglas is going to appear on directly: ment services and sports and recreation ser- a Canadian stamp coming out next year in • Cool Aid is seen as the leading vices at the Downtown Community Centre. July to honour his role in bringing medicare organization providing solutions Volunteers donate their time to Cool to the people of Canada. • The public is not very aware that Aid because 51.6% deeply care about In the most recent issue of its publica- Cool Aid provides permanent hous- homelessness, 27.4% think it seems like tion for stamp collectors, Details, Canada ing, mental health services, employ- a good idea, 24.2% have strong moral/ Post listed new stamps for 2012, including ment and healthy recreation options spiritual beliefs, 11.3% know someone “Tommy Douglas and the Birth of Medicare”. • People become involved for a vari- affected, and 11.3% have been affected The announcement did not say whether ety of reasons and their perceptions themselves. the stamp issue will be made up of one or often change when they do Donors make gifts to Cool Aid because more stamps. Canada Post will probably Of the general public surveyed , 26.6% 58.8% deeply care about homelessness, announce details of this stamp issue next believe homelessness has a big impact on 32.5% think it seems like a good idea, 27.5% spring. them, 32.5% somewhat of an impact, 30.8% have strong moral/spiritual beliefs, 11.3% Tommy Douglas has already appeared a limited impact and only 10.1% stated know someone affected, and 3.8% have on a Canadian stamp. In 1998, Canada Post homelessness had no impact at all. been affected themselves. issued 10 45-cent stamps honouring pro- Businesses were even more affected Perceptions of the issues have changed vincial premiers. Tommy, who was Premier with 43.3% believing homelessness had a for both volunteers (32.2%) and donors of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961, rep- big impact on them, 33.3% somewhat of an (35.5%) since they became involved with resented Saskatchewan. During that time, impact, 16.7% a limited impact and 6.7% Cool Aid. he established the health care plan in that T.C. Tommy Douglas had no impact at all. Survey results will be used to help province that grew into Canadian medicare. While the majority of respondents guide Cool Aid with its communications. A According to the CBC, Tommy Douglas in-party fighting, Douglas battled hard to identified Cool Aid as doing more than any summary of results has also been published was the most influential politician never to bring the New Democratic Party to legiti- other organization locally to tackle the issue at www.CoolAid.org/survey. be elected prime minister. He pursued his macy in its first ten years. He was often criti- of homelessness, many other organizations The Victoria Cool Aid Society has been radical ideas relentlessly until they became cized for his singular idealism but through were seen to be contributing solutions building hope, lives and community in the so mainstream rival politicians claimed them it all Douglas was undeterred, convinced including (in order of ranking): City of Capital Region for over 40 years, since as their own. that he was helping to create a better, more Victoria, Our Place, Salvation Army, Greater 1968, through a wide range of programs Called a communist and threatened by humane society. Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, including supported housing, community Pacifica Housing, Vancouver Island Health health and dental services, emergency Authority, Mustard Seed, United Way and shelter, mental health and employment BC Housing.