Video – Fixing Canada’s Electoral System: Four Fallacies

Ellen Michelson speaking about electoral reform.

Five stimulating events about proportional voting in the coming days and weeks in Toronto.

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1. This Saturday Sept 15
PR101---Toronto Chapter crash course on the three major types of proportional voting: list PR, MMP, STV---learn how to separate the alphabet soup of proportional representation. 215 Spadina Ave, 7pm
Wayne Smith, Ellen Michelson, June Macdonald, Dave Meslin.
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/events/522074734473457/
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2. Next Tuesday September 18
Getting more women elected. How and Why?
How do proportional systems help get women elected and why it matters.  Joyce Hall, June Macdonald, film Menocracy.
130 Carlton Street—7:30pm---please register with Eventbrite
http://womenforfairvoting.eventbrite.ca/
Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/events/182143731910703/
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3. Next Thursday September 20
Fixing Canada’s Electoral System: Four Fallacies

Ellen Michelson, Toronto Centre Green Party
Free public lecture at 7-9pm on September 20th, 2012 in Room 052 (east end of the building in the basement) at University College, 15 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON by: http://www.scienceforpeace.ca/fixing-canada-s-electoral-system-four-fallacies
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4. Tuesday October 2 7pm
Canadian democracy in crisis: take action on electoral reform
The Toronto chapter is co sponsoring with the Electoral Alliance a town hall featuring Nathalie des Rosiers and Brian Tanguay authors of the Law Commission of Canada report recommending mixed member proportional representation for Canada. Anyone who has had the pleasure of hearing them speak knows they are going to enjoy this event.
The Ballroom of The 519 Community Centre, October 2, 7pm
Event flier:     http://www.electoralalliance.ca/downloads/2012-10-02%20-Canadian%20Democracy%20In%20Crisis%20-%20Final.pdf
Facebook event:     http://www.facebook.com/events/395279047200805/
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5. Tuesday October 18
BUT - How did other countries do it?
How did other countries get a proportional representation voting system? Why is it so hard here?"
Speaker: Dennis Pilon, Oct 18 from 7 - 9 p.m at First Unitarian Congregation, 175 St Clair Ave West .  FVT co sponsoring with Occupy First Unitarian Congregation. Further details TBA

Photography Show & Sale at Java Jive

 

Java Jive Coffee & Tea Co.

585 Church Street, Toronto, ON (416) 923-7267

Click here for map

 

 

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Toronto Centre Election Results

Preliminary Results

Toronto Centre   Party Candidate Votes % Votes

Libertarian	Judi Falardeau	271	0.5
Marxist-Leninist	Philip Fernandez	75	0.1
Communist	Catherine Holliday	165	0.3
Green Party	Ellen Michelson	2,949	5.3
Conservative	Kevin Moore	12,505	22.6
Liberal	Bob Rae	22,617	40.9
NDP-New Democratic Party	Susan Wallace	16,607	30.0
Independent	Bahman Yazdanfar	108	0.2

Total number of valid votes:

55,297

Polls reporting: 277/277	Voter turnout: 55,297 of 84,749 registered electors (65.3%)
The number of registered electors shown in this table does not include electors who registered on election day.

Vote for Ellen Michelson on May 2nd

Ellen takes you on a quick tour that showcases some of Toronto Centre's wonderful variety, while highlighting some Green Party platform points. The video ends with an overview of her Community Democracy Ambassadors plan for Toronto Centre.

Ellen was Toronto Centre’s Green Party candidate in the October, 2008 general election; the riding re-nominated her in May, 2009.  Ellen serves as Peace and Security Critic in the Green Party of Canada Shadow Cabinet. 

Ellen is one of the original members of the WindShare co-operative, and is a member of the board of directors of the Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto. She volunteers with Green Thumbs Growing Kids, the Bleecker-Wellesley Activity Network, and the Hot Docs and Regent Park film festivals. She’s a member of the Toronto Heliconian Club and the Women’s Art Association of Canada. She washes dishes at The 519 Church Street Community Centre’s Sunday drop-in, and organizes re-donating the books unsold at the Rosedale-Moore Park Community Association’s annual Mayfair Market.

For more about Ellen Michelson please visit: www.electellen.ca

Some Candidates Meeting sponsored by Fair Vote Canada

Please come out to this meeting that FVT is co-sponsoring with CAPP. 

Ellen Michelson, Green Party of Canada

Martha Hall Findlay, Liberal
William Molls, NDP
Conservative (no-show again?)

Wed., April 20th, 7 pm, St. Paul's Church, 227 Bloor St. East.

Hoping for a good turnout for an interesting discussion and different from the usual all-candidates meetings. Bring your questions and comments on the need for fair voting.

Ellen and Mark at Toronto-Danforth open house.

Here's a picture of the Toronto-Centre Green Party candidates. That's Ellen Michelson, federal candidate on the left and Mark Daye, provincial candiate speaking at the campaign office open house for Adriana-Mugnatto-Hamu

TTC Bans Political Campaign Posters in Subway Stations

Green Party candidates told they can't advertise inside TTC, but only on the sides of buses

The Toronto Transit Commission ("TTC") is now refusing political advertising on subway platforms during the current federal election campaign. This represents an abrupt change of policy from previous elections.

The Supreme Court of Canada decided in 2009 that public transit systems were subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A ban on political ads on the sides of Vancouver buses was determined to be a violation of the freedom of expression. The TTC is complying with the court ruling to the extent of allowing ads on transit vehicles.

Green Party candidates in several Toronto ridings had been negotiating with TTC ad sales agents over the last month, and had already ordered artwork for posters conforming to specifications provided. They were shocked by the seeming arbitrariness of the decision, and questioned its timing.

"I'm disappointed." said Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu, the Green Party candidate in the riding of Toronto-Danforth currently held by Jack Layton. "There was a giant Layton poster with an NDP logo on the Broadview Station subway platform just days ago. Everyone knew an election was imminent. All I want is a fair opportunity to get my message out."

 Ellen Michelson, the Green Party candidate for Toronto Centre, was similarly affected. "We can buy political advertising for transit vehicles, but those go all over the city", she noted. "Voters deserve the opportunity to learn about candidates in their own ridings. I would like to reach public transit travellers at the subway stops in Toronto Centre, and candidates in other ridings deserve no less."

"The TTC has permitted political ads on its subway platforms in previous elections", Andrew James, a legal writer and candidate for council last year in Toronto-Danforth, observed. "There is no principled difference between a political ad on a subway platform and a political ad on a bus. But there's a huge practical difference. If this decision stands, it undercuts the ideal of representative democracy by confirming the primacy of party branding over local candidates."

/For further information: Blog post:
http://danforthgreens.ca/ttc-posters/
Ad barred from TTC (hi res):
http://danforthgreens.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/adriana-mugnatto-hamu-green-party-campaign-poster-for-ttc2.jpg
Jack Layton ad in TTC last week:
http://danforthgreens.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/jack-layton-ad-in-broadview-ttc-station.jpg/

 

Benefit Photography Show

We're having a benefit photo show!

Photos by Ellen Michelson, Bill Michelson and Mark Daye will be on display, for sale to benefit The Equality Effect – 160 Girls for the whole month of February at Java Jive, at the corner of Church and Isabella.

Here's a very short, moving video about the programme.

Click Projects to learn more about the 160 Girls initiative.

The official show opening will be Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 6 p.m.  Please come.

We'll learn a little about The Equality Effect from Flora Terah, here from Kenya;  Ellen Michelson will also say a few words about the programme. We'll hear from our special guest, Glenys Babcock, founder of Pragmora, working to build peace around the world. We'll have some free and delicious nibbles;  as well, Eugene Johnson of Java Jive will generously offer his coffees, teas, and juices for only $1 each.

Here's some additional information.

Photographers:

77 Charles by Mark Daye

Mark Daye is an executive member of both the Green Party of Canada and the Green Party of Ontario for Toronto Centre.  He specializes in photos of  architecture and will feature some from Paris.


Bill Michelson is our Toronto Centre EDA's financial agent.  An urban sociologist, he has had many photos published.  This show will feature his photos of Africa and India.

Ellen Michelson, Green Party of Canada Toronto Centre Candidate; who recently sold some of her work to benefit Elizabeth May's campaign in B.C. Some of her photos are of places where she's worked abroad.

The full prices of all photos sold will be donated to The Equality Effect.

And Eugene supports an organization in Laos.  There's a donation box on his counter.  Current info is here. http://adoptavillageinlaos.blogspot.com/

Everyone involved really hopes you will come. If you can't make it to our opening, please stop in at Java Jive some time during February.

Toronto Greens At Cabbagetown Festival Parade

 

Toronto Centre candidate Ellen Michelson thanks supporters at the Cabbagetown Festival parade on Saturday September 11, 2010.

Sunday In The Park. Regent Park, Toronto

Actually, this year Sunday in the Park was held on Sunday July 11, 2010 at Lord Dufferin Public School near Parliament and Gerrard Streets on the downtown east side of Toronto.  This was the 19th year for the neighborhood event.

The event is a celebration of and for the vibrant community of Regent Park which is undergoing a beautiful and overdue revitalization. 

Sunday in the park featured a barbeque, raffles, entertainment, markets and our fun Green Party table. Toronto Centre candidate Ellen Michelson was there handing out frozen fruit pops and I assisted in making Green Party buttons for children and adults alike.

I asked Ellen about her thoughts on the event and Ellen said, "Sunday in the Park was a wonderful opportunity. We're eager to learn what's on people's minds, and we've found people are always eager to learn about the Green Party.  My own kids are grown now, but they still remember homemade fruit juice freeze pops, so I especially enjoyed giving frozen fruit juice pops to little ones on Sunday. Satisfying lives for individuals and families in strong local communities are top priority for the Green Party. It was so much fun to put our beliefs into practice on such a beautiful, breezy day. Thanks to the Toronto Christian Resource Centre for all the hard work in organizing such an excellent community event."

Toronto Freedom Festival Video

Click on the 'exploding' arrows above to view full screen.

Freedom Festival

I attended the Freedom Festival at Queens Park yesterday, which had a huge number of people turn out. It was my first time at this event. Toronto Centre Green Party candidate Ellen Michelson was speaking at the event so I gathered a few green friend and created the hand out shown below, only to lose the handout on the way to the event. If you find 600 1/4 page handouts somewhere please let me know. They fell of the back of my bike!  

Global Marijuana March 2010

The following is taken from the Green Party of Canada policy document 'Vision Green'. I've posted this because on Saturday the 12th of May it's the Toronto Global Marijuana March. Toronto Centre Federal Green Party Candidate Ellen Michelson will be speaking at the event.  I hope you will join us, and consider supporting the Green Party in the next election if you, like me, would prefer legal weed.

Our Vision

After analyzing the recommendation of the Canadian Senate’s 2002 Special Committee on Drugs and the examples of strategies used by some European countries, the Green Party of Canada has come to the conclusion that it is time to legalize the adult use of marijuana. Furthermore, the Greens believe that drug addictions should be treated as a health problem, more than a criminal offence.

An Evening With Elizabeth

Our fundraising event is drawing close. If you are in the GTA please come and join us, there is still room for a few more! Tickets are only ten dollars and available at the door.  This will be a night to remember. I've arranged for Elizabeth's recent book; "Losing Confidence; Power, Politics and the crisis in Canadian Democracy" to be available for purchase and Elizabeth will sign your copy for you.

There will also be some fantastic door prizes including original works of art and custom jewelry. Refreshments and music,  food and drink! Not to mention some of the most intelligent political minds of our time!

Please RSVP if you plan to attend!

Tickets are only $10.00 and your ticket helps to support the Toronto Centre Greens. I hope to see you there!

Click the image to view full size.

An Evening with Elizabeth

Click on the image to view full size.

Annual General Meeting

What: Toronto Centre Federal Green Party Association AGM
When: Friday, February 5, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: The 519 Church Street Community Centre

Please come help us review our 2009 successes, and plan for our future.

All members are encouraged to consider volunteering to fill one of our association’s executive positions. They include the following.
Chief Executive Officer
Financial Agent
Membership Chair
Fundraising Chair
Organizing Chair
Communications Chair
up to 5 Members at Large

If you are interested in volunteering, please email one of the following.
miller.cameron@rogers.com (our current Financial Agent)
rebecca.harrison@greenparty.ca (Ontario Organizer, Southwest Region)
voteellen@greenparty.ca (Ellen Michelson, our current nominated candidate)

Anyone is welcome to attend;  you must be a paid-up member of the Green Party of Canada, and a Toronto Centre resident, to run for a position or to vote.  If you are a lapsed member, you are welcome to renew at the meeting to re-acquire voting privileges.

We’re hoping to see you on Friday, February 5!

Happy New Year

As we bring the year to a close, I wish you all the very best for a prosperous, safe, happy and healthy 2010. The new year is already presenting some new challenges and new directions for me and I am looking forward to them.

I will continue with this blog, although I will try to post on a more regular basis. I know that I've been a bit lax lately. My friend, and federal Green Party candidate Ellen Michelson who is in China now informed me that my blog is blocked there, which only inspires me to continue to bring you news relating to free speech and human rights, which to me are basic human rights that everyone, in all countries deserves.

This is why I was so against China being awarded the Olympic games in 2008 and why I continue to have a major beef with the IOC and their strange ways of rewarding countries that continue to abuse and torture their citizens. But that is just one of the many problems with China. We here in the west continue to fund their growth and power with our wallets while occasionally making weak remarks about human rights.  Of course we want human rights for all, but it is also easy to ignore the plight of those on the other side of the world in return for cheap blue jeans.

On another note, I've taken my interest in politics a step further by recently accepting the position of CEO for the provincial Green Party Constituency Association. I'm very excited about this new endeavor and I am looking forward to growing the party membership in the Toronto Centre riding. It's a time of renewed excitement for the provincial greens now that we have a new full time leader with Mike Schreiner taking the post. I've met Mike a few times and I like him very much and I think he is the right man for the job. You will certainly be hearing and seeing a lot of Mike in the coming months as he is working hard to spread the green message. We will also be having a by-election this coming year, here in Toronto Centre, since the Liberal MPP, George Smitherman stepped down to enter the Toronto Mayoral race. I have so much to learn and have already met so many interesting and diverse people through the party. If you would like any information or have any questions about the green party please don't hesitate to contact me.

It is an exciting time for the Green Party at the federal level, I predict 2010 will be the year we will elect our first MP in Canada.  Once that happens we are going to see  continued growth and more MP's and MPP's as time goes on. I hope you will join us and be a part of history!

International Day of Peace: September 21, 2009

The United Nations' International Day of Peace - marked every year on September 21 - is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.

Candidates of the Green Party of Canada will speak out on Peace on September 21st at C'est What! near Church & Front St.s in Toronto. Click here for a map.

Featuring Josh Rachlis, making you smile! Emceed by Chris Tindal!