Ever wonder how Green Party of Ontario policy is created and adopted?

Policy resolutions – produced and shaped by members and supporters just like you – are submitted for consideration and approval by members at our Annual Policy Conference.

We hope you can join us for some great discussions at this year’s 2012 Annual General Meeting and Policy Conference at Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake from May 4-6.  (Register today to take advantage of our early bird discounts!)

But don’t stop there – you can get involved shaping policy right now!

Here’s what you can do:

• Visit the GPO policy book online at www.gpo.ca/policy-book
• Review and provide feedback on draft policy motions at www.gpo.ca/agm12/policy
• Send your policy drafts to policy@gpo.ca today!  Submit your ideas even if they are not 100%, that way you’ll have a chance to receive feedback from others, to improve your resolution before the March 16th deadline.

Whether you are a member, supporter or a policy wonk – we would love your feedback!  Don’t forget though, you’ll need to be a current member as of March 4, 2012 (and no later) to submit policy resolutions and vote at the convention. Renew or join online today at www.gpo.ca/renew

Note the deadline for policy and constitutional resolutions is March 16th.

Be sure to check www.gpo.ca/agm12 for more information on the conference weekend, such as nominations for our Provincial Executive (PE) representatives, our leadership contest review, and our volunteer awards.

Register early to receive great discounts; the early bird deadline is March 15th! Keep in mind that all registration fees are fully tax-deductible.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Elections for the 2012 Electoral District Association executive were held. All those who stepped forward were elected.

• Chief Executive Officer, Rob Henri
• Chief Financial Officer, Michael D’Costa
• Secretary, Evan Hughes
• Membership, Warren Smith
• Fundraising, Jen Hunter
• Communications, Kevin O’Donnell
• Members at Large: Stephanie Bolt, Judy Field, Robb Barnes

Happy Holidays to all and see you in the new year!

Ottawa Centre
Kevin O’Donnell
613-454-5306
kevin@kevino.ca
http://kevino.ca

Ottawa – Vanier
Dave Bagler
davebagler@gpo.ca
http://www.davebagler.ca

Ottawa South
James Mihaychuk
613-869-0263
jamesmihaychuk@gpo.ca

Ottawa West – Nepean
Alex Hill
613-600-9862
alexhill@gpo.ca
http://www.alexhill.ca

Carleton – Mississippi Mills
Scott Simser
613-599-2223
scottsimser@gpo.ca

Nepean – Carleton
Gordon Kubanek
613-692-5438
gordonkubanek@gpo.ca
http://gordonkubanek.blogspot.com

Ottawa – Orléans
Tanya Gutmanis
613-986-8700
tanyagutmanis@gpo.ca
http://gutmanis.ca

The hotly-contested race in Saanich–Gulf Islands turned toxic this week, with newly-nominated Liberal candidate Renee Hetherington failing her first character test as a candidate — the civility test. Hetherington issued a news release on Saturday for the express purpose of trashing Green Party leader and fellow SGI candidate Elizabeth May. Hetherington referred to May as a “sad little sprout” in the title of the release, with the remainder devoted to bad Liberal spin on why Hetherington is so much awesomer than May and only Hetherington can save the day.

Read more on Camille’s website: http://www.camillelabchuk.ca/2009/10/01/renee-hetherington-flunks-the-civility-test/

Please remember that the Green Party does not officially endorse any of these events unless otherwise indicated.  We believe that community organization is essential to grassroots democracy and community events are just plain fun too!

Cheers,
Judy Field, Ottawa Centre Greens

Events listing compiled by Judy Field for the Ottawa Centre Greens

Tuesday, November 2
7:00 pm
Film: Powerful: Energy for Everyone
Where: The Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street
What: Official premiere screening to be hosted by David Chernushenko and special guests. Green economy educator David Chernushenko explores where our energy comes from, who controls and profits from it, and what it will take to ensure a safe, reliable energy future – and to his surprise discovers that we really do have the “power” to make a difference.
Cost: Mayfair Theatre members $6.00; Non-members $10.00; Seniors $7.00; Children $5.00
NOTE: Also showing on Wednesday, November 3 at 7:00 pm at the Mayfair Theatre.
More info: http://www.livinglightly.ca/films and http://www.powerfulthemovie.com/

Wednesday, November 3
7:00 pm
Film: Bananas!*
Where: Mackenzie (ME) 3380 – Carleton University
What: The film Dole Food Co. doesn’t want you to see! Juan “Accidentes” Dominguez is on his biggest case ever. On behalf of 12 Nicaraguan banana workers he is tackling Dole Food in a ground-breaking legal battle for their use of a banned pesticide that was known by the company to cause sterility. Can he beat the giant, or will the corporation get away with it? In the suspenseful documentary BANANAS!*, filmmaker Fredrik Gertten sheds new light on the global  politics of food.
Cost: By donation (all screenings are pay-what-you-can)
More info: carleton@cinemapolitica.org or http://www.cinemapolitica.org/node/1922

Monday, November 8
7:00 pm
Green Party of Ontario Platform Roundtable.
Where: Conservation Coop, 140 Mann Ave.
What: When is the last time a leader of a political party asked you your opinion on their election Platform? Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario is doing just that. Please join Mike Schreiner and let him know what YOU think about the proposed Green Party Platform.
More info or RSVP: Kevin O’Donnell, kevin@kodonnell.ca, 613-454-5306

November 12 – 14
Film Festival: First Annual Free Thinking Film Festival 2010
Where: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St.
What: Three days of films, speakers and panel discussions including Free Thinking Alley where attendees can purchase books, DVDs and enjoy food.
Cost: Full festival pass $68; Gala tickets incl private reception $22.60; Film tickets $17.
More info: www.freethinkingfilmfest.ca

Saturday, November 13
4:00 pm
Debate: Elizabeth May to debate Ezra Levant (part of the First Annual Free Thinking Film Festival 2010)
Where: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St.
What: Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, will be debating Ezra Levant, author of “Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands.”
More info: www.freethinkingfilmfest.ca Note: Seating precedence will be given to Festival Pass Holders.

Sunday, November 14
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Sustainabili-TEA with the Natural Step
Where: St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, 151 Laurier Avenue East
What: Join Kevin O’Donnell for tea and refreshments at The Natural Step’s first ever Sustainabili-TEA event. This one-hour event aims to raise awareness of the charitable work The Natural Step does and to generate support for their programs. Hear from sustainability expert Bob Willard–the author of The Sustainability Champions Guidebook and other best-selling sustainability books–as well as other inspiring speakers.
Cost: Free
More info: Kevin O’Donnell, kevin@kodonnell.ca, 613-454-5306, http://bit.ly/sustainabili-TEA-nov14

Thursday, November 18
8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Seminar: Rideau Innovative Greenbuild
Where: Alfred Taylor Rec. Centre, 2300 Community Way, North Gower
What: A full day seminar covering holistic design, building with ICF blocks, Green ready roof design, solar hot water systems, solar air space heating, Energy Star windows, and a tour of the Minto Net Zero home in Manotick, Ontario.
Cost: $20.00 per person in advance–all persons attending receive a Home Hardware gift certificate for $25.00– and lunch is provided at the hall.
More info: jim@rideaulumber.com or 613-223-6565

Monday, November 22
6:30 pm to 8:00
Seminar: Ecological Home Renovations
Where: Carbon Computing, 1065 Wellington St. W.
What: This seminar explains how to renovate your home to reduce your energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.  It covers how to get the best return from your renovations and how to access grants available from the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program
Cost: Free
More info: www.SLOWest.ca

Over the coming decades, the success of Ontario’s health-care strategy will depend on providing cost effective and dignified care for our seniors. In my consultations with citizens and frontline health care providers, it is clear that professional home care services are an important part of enriching the quality of life and the health and well-being of our seniors.

Yet, funding for home care services is not keeping up with demand for service. According to the Ontario Home Care Association in a recent report, Home Care in 2010 – Essential for an Aging Population, “Over the past five years the number of individuals receiving home care has increased at 1.5 times the rate of funding.”

Since funding is not keeping up with the number of people in need of home care, the time available for personal support and professional visits evaporates. This has serious cost implications for the health care system since home care visits reduce the number of expensive, non-emergency visits to our already busy ERs . Home care also has quality of life implications because seniors are left without an important service, which also affects family members struggling to balance competing demands. In short our seniors in need of home care are losing their independence and not receiving the quality care they deserve.

The Green Party of Ontario supports increased investment in home care services, which includes seeking models that compliment the EI program for family members caring for seniors.

Currently, fourteen Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) are responsible for administering local home care services. CCACs receive their funding from Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). What this means is that the dollars for home care compete against many other demands on our system – hospitals, doctors, etc. These are tough decisions that truly have an impact on the type of care we can receive in our communities!

A review of the LHINs (as promised by the McGuinty government when the legislation creating them was introduced) is long past due. It’s time for funding models that provide our seniors with more choices for receiving appropriate care, at the appropriate time and place.

It’s time to invest in frontline care, not high priced consultants. Last week’s Auditor General’s report reveals that the McGuinty Liberal’s use of high priced health consultants is taking money out of front line care. The Green Party of Ontario will prioritize investments in health promotion and preventing illness, which are financially responsible and improve quality of life. Quality home care is an important part of this strategy.

It’s time to honour our seniors. It’s time to invest in home care now.

Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner’s Question Period Blog for October 20, 2010

First up – the municipal election. Our riding spans Capital, Somerset and Kitchissippi wards and this is a golden opportunity to see our Green values represented on Council.

• The City has a convenient “where do I vote” page if you need help figuring that out.
• Ecology Ottawa has done a great job summarizing the performance of incumbents when it comes to environmental issues.
• They have also published a survey of all current candidates.

Please vote on Monday – your vote means the most at the municipal level.

Next up – Green Soirée Verte. On November 12th the local Green Party ridings are getting together to host the first (of many) Green Soirée gala dinners. All of the federal leaders will be there (Elizabeth, Adriane and Georges) along with Richard Patten, Christopher Henderson and local entertainers. Come enjoy a three-course 100-mile dinner and celebrate our local achievements. Details and tickets can be purchased on ottawagreens.ca. After purchasing a ticket you can help advertise the event by RSVPing on the Facebook event.

Ramping for next year: GPO Platform Roundtable. When was the last time the leader of a political party asked you your opinion on an election platform? Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario is doing just that on November 8th at 7pm at our platform roundtable meeting. We will be covering policies on topics such as the Economy, Education and Health Care. Your input is invaluable. Don’t miss your turn to have your voice heard. Contact Kevin O’Donnell (kevin@kevino.ca) for information.

Almost done: Ottawa Centre GPC Annual General Meeting. The last order of business is for the federal members in Ottawa Centre to hold an annual general meeting of the Electoral District Association (EDA). The EDA is a very important component in party politics: it raises funds, organizes events (like Earth Hour on Parliament Hill) and is working hard to give Jen a big boost when the next campaign starts. Join us on November 17th, 7pm, at the Old Town Hall for the AGM. The meeting is open to the public but you need to be a member to vote.

Thank you so much for your indulgence and continuing support.
Kevin O’Donnell

Highlights

Do voters want a breath of fresh Green air?
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May’s unscientific view of her party’s recent climb in the opinion polls is that Canadians are “turned off by old style politics. I keep hearing the same phrase from people who stop me on the street or in airports to say they support us – ‘breath of fresh air’,” she told The Globe, reacting to a new Angus Reid poll. “I think that means they find the stale air of mainstream hyper-partisan politics unpleasant.”
Read more…

Green party picks Ottawa-Centre candidate
Kevin O’Donnell will be the Green party candidate for Ottawa-Centre in the next provincial election, after winning an uncontested ballot. Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner attended the packed nomination meeting at the Blue Nile restaurant and endorsed O’Donnell as a driver in the campaign against the Liberal proposal to cut the solar microFit program.
Read more…

“Most Ontarians work hard to live green and I remain focused on policies that are important to them. Together we will work towards building a prosperous green economy that nourishes our communities and promotes the health and well being of all Ontarians.”
– Mike Schreiner, Leader, GPO

Building a Prosperous Green Economy:

Schreiner is calling on the government to make energy efficiency a priority to foster local job creation and help Ontarians offset rising energy bills with a Green Building Program to retrofit our homes, businesses and public facilities.

Schreiner will push the government to help local businesses create jobs by promoting smart regulations – regulations that make sense based on the size and scale of business operations, not a one-size-fits-all approach that hurts independent businesses and family farms.

Promoting the Health and Well being of all Ontarians:

Schreiner is pledging to push for more investment in preventative frontline care, instead of expensive health consultants, with a focus on home care and community health programs.

He is renewing the Green Party’s commitment to an Ontario Food Strategy that provides access to healthy food for Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens while supporting local farmers. Schreiner continues to criticize the Liberals elimination of the special diet allowance and is calling for the program to be reinstated. He is also pushing for the government to mandate the purchase of local food in provincial facilities, with a focus on school food programs, along with tax reforms to support local farmers and processors.

Empowering our Local Communities:

Schreiner continues to criticize the Liberal’s heavy handed dealings with municipalities on energy projects, especially proposed gas plants in King and Oakville. He remains committed to standing with King residents in their legal action against the government’s abuse of process and circumvention of legislation in ramming through a gas plant in the Holland Marsh. He is calling on the government to pass legislation to place buffer zones around gas plants to protect schools and residential communities.

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Party Contact:
Jaymini Bhikha
(416) 275-8573

Ottawa Contact:
Kevin O’Donnell
(613) 203-2620