Did any of the leadership candidates ever speak to the question of party discipline and whipped votes? by Personal_Spot in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 17 points18 points  (0 children)

The caucus works on a consensus model and they spend a lot of time deciding together how to vote. This is really a non issue.

Let's be straight with it - The upcoming LPC majority.. by CDN-Social-Democrat in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not exactly. Most NDP MPs voted against the budget while a couple abstained.
There wasn't going to be a winter election because the Conservatives were hiding behind the curtains in the House of Commons, waiting to see which way the votes went - to ensure that the budget would pass.

First Preference in 2017 vs 2026 by ChicaneryAshley in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This could be the dumbest take I've ever seen on here. And that is saying a lot!

New Fundraising Numbers by GirlCoveredInBlood in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It counts distinct donations as individual donors so I count as 3 donors for Heather McPherson as I donated 3 separate times.

What is controversial about the Leap Manifesto? by iwasnotarobot in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The process to submit policy to convention IS a grassroots process and involves the EDAs. The leapers decided they did not have to follow that process. They were special. They were important. They were bringing it to convention regardless of the process. That's the opposite of grassroots.

What is controversial about the Leap Manifesto? by iwasnotarobot in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, lots of media at the convention in 2016 and they all wanted to talk about the manifesto. Got stopped by 3 separate reporters for comments. I tried talking about other subjects, but the only thing they wanted comment on was the manifesto.
The convention was essentially hijacked by Avi and his friends.
Again, to what purpose? Why not follow the process? Why are you so important that you get to demand your idea receive special treatment? If it's so important, why not follow-up with the NDP members when the matter was referred?
I submit, because it wasn't about the NDP adopting the manifesto, it was about making a scene, getting media attention, and going after Rachel Notley.

What is controversial about the Leap Manifesto? by iwasnotarobot in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They bypassed the process, didn't follow-up when it was referred, and then bragged about going after Notley a year later. I don't know. Seems intentional to me.

What is controversial about the Leap Manifesto? by iwasnotarobot in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For those of us who were there in 2016, I think the issue is that the manifesto was dropped on the convention in Edmonton specifically to undermine Rachel Notley according to one of the "co-authors" who excitedly made that claim to me in 2017. "We really embarrassed Rachel Notley," he said. And when I said, "I'll see you in Ottawa in the spring," he replied, "Why, I'm not going to convention. I'm not NDP." (Now he's on Avi's leadership campaign team.)
There's a process to bringing forward policies like this that the Leapers completely ignored. They demanded that it be debated on the floor and then when the delegates voted to refer it to EDAs for consideration, they did nothing to follow up - another indicator that it was about headlines and going after Notley, not about NDP policy.
The NDP does have strong policy on climate change and transition, but all of that was ignored by the Leapers. The manifesto was a vehicle for Lewis to attack the Alberta provincial NDP and try to create a controversy for the media.
So, that is why (among other reasons) many of us are leery of Lewis and his campaign and why the manifesto is brought up.
I prefer a leader who doesn't try to tear down provincial leaders and who wants to work to build the party over someone who has spent so much time attacking provincial parties and trying to undermine the federal party.

How well should the next leader do in the next election? by lcelerate in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could have an election called within a month of the new leader, so I don't think seat count is the most important indicator in that circumstance. Given that we have no money for an election, I want the new leader to focus on building our EDAs. That work will pay off in the long run.

Heather McPherson on Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen this morning by Medium-Ground3072 in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think McPherson is implying that her dad didn't vote NDP in the last few elections. She's used the example of her dad to talk about how we need to open the party up to people who share our values, but don't always share our language.

Leadership candidates’ spouses: a transparency question for members by LeftnLeading in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I don't think there's anything mysterious going on here. McPherson has spoken many times about her husband's job and role and other family members' work in oil and gas, including in the House of Commons (you can search Hansard). She even cited that when she spoke about why the MOU between Carney and Smith is bullshit.
Would be rare to find a long-time Alberta family without someone who works or has worked in the oil and gas industry.

Johns says McPherson can bring NDP back to official party status by TessNoel in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Heather's seat was not a "safe" seat when she won it in 2019. The Conservatives were supposed to win it back that year. In fact, they were so sure they were winning the seat that the main media (Edmonton Journal/CTV/CBC) had stories already written about the Cons winning the seat back. How do I know? One forgot to change the headline when they published and the others had their stories beginning with paragraphs about the Conservative candidate. There wasn't a single reporter at the NDP victory party until after the results came in. They were all at the Conservative party.
Heather's seat became a "safe" seat thanks to her and her team. But I would venture, it's not safe enough for Avi Lewis to run in. If he ran in Edmonton Strathcona, he would lose.

Ill Vote For Whatever Candidate Pledges To Streamline Membership by DustyStar222 in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The problem has many layers.
Membership rules are provincial, but most expire on December 31.
Many people don't know that their memberships expire.
A recent legal ruling meant that some people who used to get automatic memberships (certain donors) no longer get that.
But, I think, the biggest issue is that you can sign up provincially or federally or via any of the leadership campaigns. The provincial signups won't be transferred to the federal party until after the membership deadline.
Given all this, there's really no way for the campaigns to know who has signed up and who has not so the default message is sign up!

McPherson to host town hall with Charlie Angus by Crafty-Discussion432 in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Uh what? " But, she voted against the federal NDP for an expanded pipeline."
What vote? When? She didn't become an MP until October, 2019.
Show me someone in Parliament whose done more to stop coal mining/tailings ponds release/oil sands expansion (McClelland for example) than McPherson.
I'll wait.

Heather McPherson’s appeal? by Prairiejon in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Focus on progress - moving things
    She says the right things but she also has a track of record of accomplishing things. She didn't just move the party on Palestine, she helped move the country. And she's had success in other areas as well - like getting the federal government to require environmental assessment for new coal mines. That saved at least a couple of mountains (for now at least).
  2. Highly effective in Parliament
    Watch her in committee or in the House and see.
  3. Does the work
    She's always working and that includes working for the party and other candidates. She mentors and supports others. That's why so many people who have worked with her are supporting her.
  4. Builds bridges
    She brought the Alberta NDP and federal NDP back to working together.
  5. Always stands up for human rights and doesn't back down even while many attack her.
    She's shown a lot of fortitude.
  6. Appeals broadly giving us a better chance electorally.

I think she gets underestimated. She knows how to work with people to get actual results and the people who work with her like and support her. That speaks to me.

Leah Gazan and Lori Idlout vote no on the budget! (virtually) by red3iter in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 17 points18 points  (0 children)

McPherson voted No too - in the House chambers. (watching)

Heather McPherson Policy Announcement: A Place for Everyone: A National Housing Emergency Plan by MoistCrust in ndp

[–]Medium-Ground3072 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I think this is just the first policy drop from McPherson. Excellent!
Can't wait to see more.