Author: ggarfinkel

Ms. Joyce Murray (Vancouver Quadra, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, March 27, Eva Markvoort, a 25 year old friend and young women passed away, released from her life-long cause: raising awareness of cystic fibrosis.

Over the years her parents Janet and Bill supported Eva’s determination to live life fully despite her disease. Queen’s Jubilee medal winner, Miss New Westminster Ambassador, university grad., activist, warrior, so say Eva inspired us is an understatement.

Eva recently received the prestigious Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Doug Summerhayes Award for her campaign against cystic fibrosis. Through her popular blog to the millions of people across Canada and the world who experienced her audacity first-hand, she was a true hero.

Eva often said that if one person was to become an organ donor as a result of her advocacy, she would be satisfied. After her award-winning documentary 65 Red Roses was broadcast, organ donations increased around the world and tripled in Canada alone.

All of us thank Eva.

Vancouver Quadra Canada at 150: Energy Security in a Clean, Green Future, presented by MP Joyce Murray, is set to be an engaging event. Join caring citizens, concerned environmentalists and innovative business leaders in viewing and participating in a policy discussion set to shape Canada’s direction for the year 2017 and beyond.

Vancouver Quadra Canada at 150: Energy Security in a Clean, Green Future

Saturday, March 27, 10:15am – 1:30pm

Ryerson Memorial Centre (across Yew Street from Ryerson United Church), 2195 W. 45^th Ave., Vancouver

Agenda:

For a full conference schedule, please click here

10:30am – 11:15pm: Geopolitics and Canadian Interests in the North American Energy Market (Broadcast from Montreal)

11:15am – 12:30pm: Clean Energy and Canada’s Potential in the Low Carbon World: What’s Missing? (Broadcast from Montreal)

Clean energy provides the key to Canada’s success both in reducing emissions that cause climate change, and in securing the green jobs of tomorrow. Our major trading partners are acting ambitiously to invest in clean energy. What should Canada do to achieve the right energy mix in 2017, and secure the environmental and economic benefits that will go with it?

Moderator in Montreal:

Patrick Tobin, Vice-President, Rio Tinto-Alcan

Featured National Panel (via video conference):

Elyse Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer, GE Canada

Steven Guilbeault, Co-Founder, Équiterre

Nicholas Parker, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, Cleantech Group

12:30pm – 12:40pm: Break

12:45pm- 1:30pm: Local Panel Discussion

Moderator:

Catherine Evans, Principal, Ethos Strategy Group

Featured Local Panel:

John Tak, President and CEO, Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Association

Gwen Barlee, Director of Policy, Western Wilderness Committee

Dr. Adam Bumpus, Post Doctoral Fellow, Climate Intelligence Unit, UBC Sauder School of Business

To learn more about the speakers, please click here

1:30pm: Event Concludes

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Register to attend on facebook or the official website

For more information, please contact Gabe Garfinkel at [email protected] or Catherine Evans at [email protected].

If you are unable to attend the event or wish to see other parts of the conference, the entire conference will be webcast live at www.can150.ca.

Please visit www.joycemurray.ca for updates on Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge – Energy Security in a Clean, Green Future

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On Friday, March 26, join UBC students and participate in the important discussion on Canada’s education system.

Canada at 150: UBC

Friday, March 26, 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Conversation Pit, Student Union Building

6138 Student Union Boulevard

University of British Columbia

Agenda:

Learning as a National Priority

If excellence in learning and higher education is essential for the jobs of tomorrow,

what should Canada be doing about it?

Moderator:

Yves Thomas Dorval, President, Conseil du patronat du Québec

Speakers:

Carolyn Acker, Founder, Pathways to Education Canada

Lloyd Axworthy, President & Vice-Chancellor, The University of Winnipeg

André Bazergui, President & General Manager CRIAQ

Joan McArthur-Blair, President of the Nova Scotia Community College

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Canadian Innovation: Generating and Leveraging Success

How will Canada’s next innovation success stories be written, and what can we do to foster

further innovation? What is the role of government in promoting innovation?

Speakers:

Linda Hasenfratz, Chief Executive Officer, Linamar Corporation

Tom Jenkins, Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer, Open Text

Roger Martin, Dean, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

For more information, please contact Sasa Pudar at [email protected].

To RSVP, please visit the facebook event listing.

Vancouver Quadra Canada at 150: Energy Security in a Clean, Green Future

Saturday, March 27, 10:15am – 1:30pm

Ryerson Memorial Centre (across Yew Street from Ryerson United Church)

2195 W. 45^th Ave. (at Yew), Vancouver

To  add to the discussion and view the speakers in Montreal, please click here.

Local Speaker Information:

John Tak, President and CEO, Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Association

John brings extensive experience in the public and private sectors from his work at Magna International, the Asia Pacific Foundation, the BC Trade and Development Corporation and Mitsubishi Canada Limited.

Prior to joining the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA), John managed Mitsubishi Canada’s multi-million dollar specialty chemicals business. While working at the BC Trade and Development Corporation, a provincial crown corporation, John implemented and managed the BC government’s trade and investment policy from offices in Vancouver and Tokyo. John is a board member of the Canada Japan Society of British Columbia and serves on the Advisory Board of the National Research Council’s Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation. John studied and worked in Japan for seven years – he speaks and reads Japanese.

Gwen Barlee, Director of Policy, Western Wilderness Committee

Gwen has a background in political science and a passion for environmental and social advocacy. Her diverse education and experience includes social work, film production, and web development, and she is a past executive team member of the Victoria chapter of the Council of Canadians.  In 2001, she joined the staff of the Western Wilderness Committee and today is the Committee’s Policy Director, and a member of the executive team.  In addition to dealing with issues of species at risk, she is active and knowledgeable on resource policy.

Dr. Adam Bumpus, Post Doctoral Fellow, Centre for Sustainability and Social Innovation, UBC Sauder School of Business

A recent addition to UBC’s Centre for Sustainability and Social Innovation, Adam brings a rich background of research on carbon governance, carbon offsets and carbon trade. Currently, Adam is working on BC climate change policy as it relates to the trade and policies of US regional initiatives. In addition to his strong academic resume, Adam has also founded The Climate Consultancy, a consulting company dedicated to putting research into action in order to assist companies and governments in progressive approaches to carbon management. Adam has published his work in several geography journals and presented at numerous international conferences. He has attended University of East

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2010

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement as the Vancouver Paralympics wrapped up today:

“Canadians across the country are proud of the stellar performance of our Paralympic team, who, with nineteen medals, surpassed their standings at the last winter games in Turin. The talent, determination and commitment our Paralympians was displayed to the world and has been a source of inspiration for all. Their accomplishments in overcoming obstacles to excel at their sport were truly incredible.

We are also proud of the organizing committee, employees and thousands of volunteers who devoted their time to making these games such a success – and, of course, the fans who once again displayed remarkable support and patriotism.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I congratulate everyone who worked tirelessly to be the best host nation we could be.”

Liberal Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics and Paralympics, Joyce Murray, added:

“With the wrap-up of the Paralympic games, my city – and indeed all Canadians – can look back on this last month with great pride for a job well done. As I watched our Paralympians in action, I was profoundly moved by their incredible talent, enthusiasm and devotion to their sport. They deserve nothing less than our deepest admiration for being champions and for inspiring us with their abilities. These games have instilled a new level of national pride in everyone, particularly the people of my great city of Vancouver. Congratulations to all.”
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Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge is about the future. It’s about bringing together leading thinkers and doers from across Canada and around the world to grapple with what Canada can and should be when we mark our 150th anniversary in 2017. More importantly, it’s about what must be started today reach these goals.

Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge will not only bring the best and brightest minds to Montreal, it will engage individuals, communities and stakeholders across Canada as part of the discussion.

In Vancouver Quadra, our focus will be the North American energy market and the value of clean energy, technology and investment for Canada’s future. There will be time to both listen to what is being said in Montreal through video conference and to engage in dialogue through a guest panel of local experts.

Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge – Energy Security in a Clean, Green Future
When: Saturday, March 27th, 10:15am – 1:30pm
Where: Ryerson Memorial Centre (across from Ryerson United Church)
2195 W. 45th Ave. (at Yew St.) – See Map
Light food and beverages will be provided.

Please RSVP your attendance on facebook or on the official website

Please contact Gabe Garfinkel at [email protected] or Catherine Evans at [email protected] for more information.

The entire conference will be webcast live at www.can150.ca.

Please visit www.joycemurray.ca and www.quadraliberals.ca for updates on Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge – Energy Security in a Clean, Green Future.

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2010

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement as the Vancouver Paralympics opened today:

“Canada proudly welcomes the world to our beautiful West coast once again, this time for the 2010 Paralympic Games. With today’s opening ceremonies, our talented athletes are ready to live the Olympic dream following years of training and dedication to their sport.

“Throughout these games, Canadians from coast to coast to coast will share the same national pride for our Paralympic team as was on display two weeks ago.  We are so proud of the Paralympic athletes who will be wearing our colours. As athletes who have all overcome obstacles to compete at the highest level, they are the finest role models that young Canadians could ever have.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I wish all Paralympians the greatest of success during these 2010 games. Your accomplishments are our accomplishments – and we stand behind you the whole way.”

Liberal Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics and Paralympics, Joyce Murray, added:

“It is with great pride that I welcome all Paralympians and spectators from across Canada and around the world to my treasured city once again. Today’s opening ceremonies will be a showcase of all that is great about Canada, and we couldn’t be more excited to cheer on our exceptional Paralympic athletes.”

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For Immediate Release

March 8, 2010

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement today on International Women’s Day:

“International Women’s Day is an occasion to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women across the globe. Throughout this week, commemorative events across Canada will reflect on women’s progress over the decades, and the challenges that still remain before all women achieve true equality.

Only days ago, all Canadians proudly cheered on the remarkable success of our women athletes at the Vancouver Olympics.  Sadly, government action hasn’t matched the achievements of our women.  Women’s equality has taken a step back under the Conservative government’s regressive policies, which have led to a growing gender gap in this country.

Canada’s federal government should be leading by example by adopting policies and programs that help more women and girls to participate in all aspects of society. Only then will all women truly succeed – and when women succeed, all of Canada wins.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus – particularly the Liberal Women’s Caucus – I invite all Canadians to participate in events in their communities that celebrate women. And I encourage everyone to make every day women’s day by doing your part to ensure a bright, safe and prosperous future for all women and girls.”

Liberal Status of Women Critic Anita Neville added:

“International Women’s Day allows us – all of us – to reflect on the incredible achievements of women in Canada and around the world over the decades. Many women today enjoy a prosperity and freedom their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers could only dream of.

But that is not the whole story. This week is also a time to take a hard look at what still needs to be done to bring opportunity to all women. There are still far too many women – here at home and across the globe – living with poverty, prejudice and/or abuse, solely because they are women. The Harper government has not helped matters – they have attacked women’s rights to pay equity, left women out of their economic stimulus plan, dismantled child care agreements and failed to take concrete action or call an investigation into the national shame of more than 500 missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

Today, as with every day of the year, I wish success and health for all women.”

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SO31 Members Statement on the Paralympics (05MAR10)

Mr. Speaker,

Vancouver is a community transformed by the electricity of the 2010 winter Olympic Games. We embraced the athletes, the crowds, the foreign languages heard on the streets. We celebrated our Host First Nations with pride. With the rest Canada we waved our flags, and sometimes wept; riveted by the spectacle of human bravery, of hopes dashed and triumphs seized.

And now Vancouver’s glow of good cheer is re-ignited by the Paralympic Torch flame’s westward odyssey. Now its radiance falls on the disabled and Paralympians, illuminating their extraordinary courage and achievements.

Vancouver will offer these remarkable competitors the same warmth we showed Olympians and will cheer them on just as loudly.

Sadly, the Prime Minister has moved to eliminate the break-week scheduled during the Paralympics.

But I know my colleagues will strive to equally honour our Paralympians, so they do feel recognized as first-class athletes – and the source of inspiration – that they truly are.

For Immediate Release

March 4, 2010

VANCOUVER – Liberal Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra, Joyce Murray, made the following statement today regarding Israeli Apartheid Week:

“This week on campuses across Canada and at the University of British Columbia in my own riding, Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is taking place.

Israel, like any other state, is responsible for any violations of human rights and humanitarian law.  Dissent and opposition to individual actions of the Israeli government are both legitimate and permitted both in Canada and in Israel; just as political dissent is permitted and encouraged with respect to any democratic nation.

However, public calls for the destruction of Israel and Jews wherever they may be must be condemned and have no place in Canada or anywhere else in the world.

IAW aims to delegitimize Israel’s very existence – checkpoints, inflammatory language and deliberate attempts to portray the Jewish state as criminal undermine any attempt for legitimate dialogue or debate to occur. The kind of vehemently anti-Israel language promoted by Israeli Apartheid Week only serves to heighten the tension in our communities around the tragic conflict in the Middle East.

At a time when Canadian students should be engaging in pro-peace campus debates and positive change, the intent of the IAW campaign appears to solely demonize and undermine the state of Israel and, in turn intimidate and alienate Jewish and non-Jewish students alike.

On behalf of the Liberal Party I would like to encourage all Canadians to reject all forms of anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance, both within Canada and around the world.”

The 6th annual Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) will take place in Canada from the 1st to the 14th of March 2010. It is part of a global campaign of calls for divestment, boycotts and proclamations against the state of Israel.

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For Immediate Release

March 4, 2010
OTTAWA – The new Harper Conservative budget comes up short on jobs and innovation and offers Canadians little more than freezes, cuts, and gimmicks, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said today.

“This budget offers what we’ve come to expect from Stephen Harper’s tired government: a lack of ambition and a clear distaste for what a government must do to help its citizens prepare for an uncertain future,” said Mr. Ignatieff.  “This budget leaves too many Canadians to fend for themselves, and can’t hide the laissez-faire approach of a government that doesn’t believe in government.”

“This is not a budget that looks ahead to the challenges of our times – and it’s not a budget we can support,” Mr. Ignatieff continued.  “We will vote against it, but we’re not going to cause an election. Since Canadians don’t want an election and it’s not in the national interest, we’ll register our opposition responsibly.”

On jobs and innovation, the budget comes up short and even plans for more job losses:

•    The government’s job creation targets don’t make up for the 300,000 jobs already lost, or for the rise in unemployment forecasted in today’s budget.

•    The Conservatives say they want to support small business growth, but they’re bringing in a $13 billion payroll tax hike that will kill 220,000 small business jobs.

Instead of taking real action on Canadians’ priorities, this budget offers gimmicks:

•    $10 million to encourage volunteerism for seniors, but nothing concrete to fix pensions.

•    A token $1 million for community war memorials, instead of helping veterans recover from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

•    Making superficial tax changes to the universal child benefit, that low-income families and single parents won`t benefit from.

•    A mere $25 million on clean energy, from a government that let 93% of its Green Infrastructure Fund go unspent last year.

Instead of investments in research, innovation or clean energy, this budget offers cuts:

•    The Conservatives cut $148 million from Canada’s research councils in the last budget, but want to take credit for reinvesting $32 million this year.

•    The cancellation of the EcoEnergy program for renewable power production.

•    The Conservatives refused to let the Canada Space Agency spend $160 million in approved spending over the past two years, but want to take credit for adding $23 million in this budget.

Instead of curtailing excessive partisanship, this budget offers freezes:

•    Cancelling $4.5 billion in planned Overseas Development Assistance when Canada is focused on development in Afghanistan and Haiti and pays lip service to maternal health in developing countries.

•    Starting in 2011, freezing all government operating budgets across the board without any indication for how this will affect the programs and services Canadians rely on, while continuing to waste taxpayer dollars on government partisan advertising and consultants.

Instead of addressing Canadians’ most pressing issues, this budget offers no action:

•    Nothing on pensions.

•    Nothing on climate change or to create clean energy jobs.

•    Nothing on health care and our aging demographics.

•    Nothing on culture.

•    Nothing on helping veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

•    Nothing on the future of our digital economy.

•    Nothing for New Canadians or to close the immigrant success gap.

“While this budget is a clear disappointment, our party is focused on building the better alternative for Canadians,” Mr. Ignatieff said.  “We’ve made clear proposals on jobs and pensions, because we’re the party that stands with middle income Canadians, seniors, and families struggling to get by.”

“Our party will continue to develop the ideas, policies and concrete actions that should be brought forward by a responsible, caring and future-oriented government.”

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Office of the Leader of the Opposition

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Liberal Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics Joyce Murray made the following statement today as the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games draw to a close:

“I want to congratulate all the athletes that took part in the Olympic Games. Each of these performances made the Olympic spirit live once again“, said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

“It is with great pride that we say farewell to the 2010 games and congratulate all participants for representing Canada with such talent, enthusiasm and vigour on the international stage. And we thank all of the families and coaches that have supported our athletes every step of the way, helping them deliver performances of a lifetime at the Olympics.“

“Following a magnificent gold medal win by our men’s hockey team, we can truly say that these games brought Canadians from coast to coast to coast together in a show of patriotism that was truly inspiring. Whether it was our athletes who gave it their all to make us the country that won the most gold medals in any winter games, or the thousands of volunteers, the organizing committee, the Aboriginal communities, or the fans, everyone can be proud of how we welcomed the world to our doorstep, and made these games such a success.“

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I salute all Canadians who made these games their own, and showed the world what a great host nation we can be. I also look ahead with great anticipation to the upcoming Paralympic games starting March 12th, when we will once again wow the world with our pool of talent and Canadian hospitality.”

“It has been a great joy to welcome the world to my city, and I am so very proud of everyone who participated in these games,” said Ms. Murray. “It’s because of the dedication and patriotism displayed by all – from the athletes, volunteers and organizers, to the exuberant fans right across the country – that these games have been an unprecedented success. I have never been so proud to call Vancouver and Canada my home. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is something I and all Canadians will not soon forget. Congratulations to all.”

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff again reiterated his full support for the Own the Podium program after Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday refused to reverse his government’s ill-advised decision to cut its funding.

“Canada’s athletes had a remarkable Olympics, leading the way with more gold than any country ever,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “After the success we’ve had, Canadians agree that Own the Podium was a good investment. We want our country’s best athletes – who’ve made us so proud over the last two weeks – to inspire young Canadians in every corner of this country, on every local ski hill and in every neighbourhood arena.”

Mr. Ignatieff yesterday repeated the Liberal commitment to maintain Own the Podium’s funding with $22 million in long-term, predictable federal support after the Harper government announced it will only continue with $11 million for two years, leaving an $11 million shortfall and uncertainty going forward.

“As Liberals, we’re proud of our role in developing this program, and we support its continuation,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Not only do we want to keep the best sporting expertise in Canada, but our investment in the top of the pyramid of our sporting activity is also an investment in the base. We can inspire even more young Canadians to ‘own the podium’ of the future and widen sporting participation, improving the health of our children in the process.”

Own the Podium was originally launched in 2005 under a Liberal government, with the support of Canada’s 13 winter national sport organizations, Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Vancouver Organizing Committee.

Liberal Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics Joyce Murray also took Mr. Harper to task for attempting to take credit for the Own the Podium program.

“The Prime Minister is content to capitalize on the high that Canadians are feeling towards the Olympic Games and our athletes with countless photo-ops,” said Ms. Murray. “But when it comes to supporting our athletes, he’s all too eager to take credit for Own the Podium while cutting its funding.”

For Immediate Release February 12, 2010 VANCOUVER – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement as the Vancouver Olympics opened today: “After years of planning and anticipation, today Canadians proudly welcome the world to beautiful Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Tonight’s opening ceremonies will provide an exciting launch for the next 17 days, when all Canadians will live the Olympic dream. Today we also recognize the Aboriginal peoples who have welcomed the world to take part in the games hosted on their ancestral lands, and start the countdown to the opening of the Paralympics games on March 12th. When our athletes leave the starting gate, years of training will become moments of Olympic glory. They will inspire our country, and show the world what Canada can do. We’re proud of the athletes who will wear our colours on the ice and on the course. Pushed to their limits, we know they’ll find the strength to succeed. In those few short seconds where history is made, we’ll be with them, cheering and on the edge of our seats. On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary caucus, I wish all of our Olympians and Paralympians the best of luck in their quest for a medal. All Canadians are behind you and cheering ‘Go, Team Canada!’” Liberal Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics, Joyce Murray, added: “The Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games is an event of historic significance that has provided Canada with an incredibly unique opportunity to tell our national story and welcome the world. This amazing display of Canadian history and cultural heritage will be an outstanding, once-in-a-lifetime event. After years of preparation by games organizers, volunteers and the athletes themselves, it is thrilling to see the curtains finally rise on the 2010 games.” Link to video statement: http://lpc.ca/van2010 -30- Contact: Press Office Office of the Leader of the Opposition 613-996-6740 Office of Joyce Murray, MP: 613-992-2430

After the Super Bowl, the next sports spectacular to take over television screens will be the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Super Bowl Sunday is imperial Rome, all armor and battle formations, while the Olympics are still classical Greece: all torches, wreaths and moral uplift. The Super Bowl is a unique display of American exuberance. The Olympics have a more solemn function: to channel the lethal energies of modern nationalism into a peaceful competition for gold medals.

The Olympics have done their part in replacing war with sport as the way nations earn respect. Modern nations compete by branding their identities, and hosting the Olympic Games is the biggest branding opportunity a nation ever gets. The Beijing Games unveiled China as a global power. The Rio Games in 2016 will do the same for Brazil. The Sochi Winter Games in 2014 will showcase the raw power of Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

If you’re not trying to demonstrate raw power or announce your arrival on the global stage, however, hosting the Games presents a challenge. We Canadians are immensely proud of our country, but we try to be soft-spoken about it, so we aren’t looking for the Vancouver Games to be a grandiose exercise in self-promotion. Instead, we want to demonstrate that we’re a people the world can count on. We’re proud that we brought in the Games on time and on budget. The venues are ready. Apart from some nail-biting about whether there will be enough real snow for the low-altitude venues, there have been no last-minute panics. The Olympics let us tell the world: Ask us to do a job, and we get it done right.

Instead of giving rein to Olympic grandiosity, the Vancouver organizers have tried to rein it in. Many of the venues are deliberately modest in scale and have been grouped together to minimize their environmental footprint. Visitors will take the Canada Line, Vancouver’s spiffy new light rail system, instead of taxis. Buses will replace cars as the way up to Whistler, site of the big downhill events. Offsets have been purchased to pay for the Games’ carbon emissions. We hope visitors will come away thinking Canada ran the greenest Games.

The Games will also mark Vancouver’s emergence as a global city. Canadians hope that visitors arriving in Vancouver for the first time will be awed by the city’s sublime mountain and ocean setting, its diverse yet integrated population and its status as a multicultural metropolis facing out to Asia.

The Olympics are branding Canada to the world, but they are also branding Canada to Canadians. At first we grumbled about the cost and did not take ownership of the whole expensive spectacle. But as soon as the Olympic torch relays began this fall, Canadians started lining the route by the thousands to see Olympians and other local heroes carrying the torch aloft through their communities. From Alert, the northernmost community on earth, to the American border and from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, the torch relay has brought the country alive and brought it together.

The Games have also changed Canadian attitudes toward competition itself. We’ve always had talented athletes, but we let other countries give theirs more support. A while back, the government initiated a multimillion-dollar program to invest in Olympic gold. Now Canadian athletes have world-class sports psychologists, coaches and training facilities. The snowboarders have aerodynamic experts to work on their boards. The curling team can model their shots in a wind tunnel. Canada has hosted the Winter Games before — in Calgary in 1988 — but has never won gold at home. Nothing less than a top-three finish in gold medals will satisfy the Canadian Olympic team this time.

Canadians’ newfound competitiveness has caught the eye of Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central’s master of faux outrage. He blasted “the syrup suckers” up north for denying American speed skaters practice time on the Olympic skating oval. “Canada is cheating!” Colbert thundered. Canadians thundered faux outrage right back. Of course, all chauvinism aside, we Canadians think American speed skaters will need all the help that Stephen Colbert can give them.

The Games will showcase a more competitive Canada. Now Canada waits to see whether the new spirit will pay off, especially in hockey, the national game and ruling obsession. Canada will have the home advantage in the Games, and every player takes the ice knowing that only victory will do.

The question is how individual athletes in the Canadian men’s, women’s and Paralympic teams manage the pressure of all our pent-up national expectation. That is finally what makes the Games uniquely compelling. The real drama is not the battle between countries as much as each individual competitor’s battle with himself or herself. Nations can pitch the Olympics as a battle between nations, but the spectators know this is a very human, very individual drama. Some competitors will draw inspiration from the crowds, and some will be crushed by the pressure. Canadians will be watching, because we are proud of our country’s best, but also because we know that what is so great about sport, what lifts it above just a branding exercise for nations, is that it is ultimately about human beings battling with their limitations and finding their own unique and mysterious way to win.

For Immediate Release
February 4th 2010

OTTAWA – Liberals are working on Parliament Hill today by hosting a forum on how government and business can work together to unlock trade and export opportunities in a sustainable China. Co-hosts MP Joyce Murray (Vancouver Quadra) and MP Scott Brison (Kings Hants), who serves as the Liberal International Trade Critic, invited a diverse background of participants from government, business and stakeholder communities to attend today’s event.

“What we heard today from participants is that government needs to do more to support small and medium sized Canadian enterprises as they try and unlock the vast business opportunities in China” said Ms. Murray. “When government plays a supporting role, linking the business community, more can be accomplished together than these companies would be able to accomplish on their own. We saw this with the success of the Team Canada trade missions to China that were led by former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien and resulted in several bilateral relations agreements.”

Today’s forum acted as a practical sharing and networking opportunity for participants that will set the stage for future meetings and prepare participants for future trade forums such as March’s conference in Shenzhen. The forum included the Canada China Business Council, the Hong Kong Canada Business Association, the Canadian CleanTech Fund, the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance as well as many other organizations and representatives.

Mr. Brison explained that “China is focused on greening its economy. This represents a tremendous opportunity for Canadian clean-tech workers and businesses.” He continued by saying that “given the role of the state in China’s economy, we need our federal government to play a much larger role in helping Canadians realize these opportunities.”

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Contact:

Office of MP Joyce Murray:  (613) 992-2430
Office of MP Scott Brison:  (613) 995-8231

Please join the Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae online as they participate in an hour-long question and answer session with the public on the topic of Canada’s place in the world. The town hall will take place on Mr. Ignatieff’s Facebook page today, Thursday, February 4, at 1 pm PST.

http://www.facebook.com/michaelignatieff

Anyone can observe the discussion but you will need a Facebook account in order to submit questions and comments

The recent decision by Stephen Harper to prorogue Parliament marks the fourth time he has shut down Parliament and derailed the nation’s business. In September of 2007, September of 2008, December of 2008, and again in December of 2009, Stephen Harper has prevented Parliamentarians from doing their jobs. Combined, this Conservative government has left Canadians without a functioning Parliament for a grand total of 148 days in just four years in office.

Proroguing Parliament is an attempt to eliminate tools used to hold Government to account. The Conservative government intentionally shut down Question Period, Parliamentary committees, order paper questions and media scrutiny so the government’s cover up on Afghan detainee torture and failure in Copenhagen cannot be publicly scrutinized.

As a former Liberal Party Critic for Democratic Reform, I believe strongly in the importance of defending and strengthening Canada’s democracy. More than 40% of Canadian voters stayed home in the last election, suggesting an urgent need to re-build trust in parliamentary representatives, processes and institutions. Sadly Stephen Harper’s repeated exploitation of his position and power further erodes Canadians’ trust in our democracy. That’s a shame for Canadians, and for people in countries around the world who have previously looked to Canada as a model to emulate.

Harper prorogued Parliament for the fourth time, underestimating the will of the Canadian public to ensure scrutiny of the government by a sitting House of Commons. His minister dismissed concerns: “only the chattering classes are paying any attention.”

Please let Mr. Harper and his government know that the prorogation of Parliament is indeed on your radar, and that it is unacceptable and unCanadian:

SIGN my petition

ORGANIZE your friends, families and neighbours to sign the petition

DISCUSS and learn about prorogation at Prorogation and Democracy in Canada

Date: Thursday, January 21
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: Café Muse – 2305 W. 41st Ave

ATTEND the rally

Date: Saturday, January 23rd
Time: 1:00 pm local time
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery, March to Victory Square

*Please feel free to send this letter to your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues