Thursday, April 28, 2011

Yesterday's Thornhill Debate

Well, I think Liz's chances of being sent to Ottawa are slim to none (statistically speaking), but she, nonetheless, wooed the crowd at the Thornhill Community Centre last night.

A number of young vegetarians approached her after the debate to say how glad they were that she spoke about animals. And she has received a number of complimentary e-mails today. One person said he wouldn't be voting for her but that her answers made the most sense and thanked her for running. None of our literature was left behind, disgarded by the crowd, so we take that as a good sign!

Liz had the opportunity to speak about Parks Canada, which is under the purview of Peter Kent's Environment Ministry. She said:

I have a very warm spot in my heart for Peter Kent - the man. When I first was a candidate and I canvassed Peter Kent on my street, he invited me into his home and we taked about his interest and compassion for animals. I found him a warm and caring person.

That's why I have so much trouble with Peter Kent - the Conservative - a person who supports dirty oil, the sale of asbestos and the slaughter of wildlife in our national parks, all across the country.

From the Peaceful Parks Coalition:


Parks Canada has a history of killing wildlife they perceive has having no value:

Sable Island – 100,000 grey seals in the first year, 30,000 grey seals in subsequent years (proposed). Horses and gulls under consideration.

Gros Morne and Terra Nova National Parks – moose
Cape Breton National Park – coyotes
Point Pelee National Park, Sidney Island, St Lawrence Island – white-tailed deer
Elk Island – bison and elk
Banff National Park – elk
Gwaii Haanas and Kejimkujik – raccoons
Middle Island, Point Pelee National Park- double-crested cormorants

Canada’s national parks fall under federal jurisdiction. In this federal election, please consider the state of national parks when casting your ballot. Currently, the only issues being highlighted is taxes – money- because the front runners believe that is all we care about.

Please raise environmental and animal welfare issues when your local candidate comes knocking.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Home stretch...

Only a few more days till voters head to the polls. Our candidates are quite busy, between interviews, debates and their regular day jobs! But the voters they have been talking to have been very open and receptive to animal issues. Yvonne Mackie, our candidate in Newmarket-Aurora said it was particularly inspiring to visit a high school and talk with the students, many of whom were very interested in the Party.

As with the last election, people have been calling us, asking if we have a candidate in their riding. In 2008 we had 4 candidates; this time we have 7. If anyone would like to give being a candidate a try, please call us.

On Saturday Liz attended a public forum for Canada's smaller parties. Please visit the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada website for details (
http://www.mlpc.ca:80/Articles/2011/F11-1316.HTM).

Ever onwards.

Lia and the AAEVPC crew

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Thrilling Time to be a Volunteer at Animal Alliance Environment Voters

I've been a volunteer for Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada for almost 3 years now. We volunteers do the necessary but unglamorous work of stuffing envelopes for mail-outs, revising addresses, updating fax numbers, and whatever else needs doing.

I quickly learned that human cruelty towards animals is awfully pervasive: there’s the seal hunt; puppy mills; horse slaughter; factory farming; laboratory testing on animals; coyote bounties; deer culls; the plight of elephants in Canadian zoos; rodeo brutality; roadside zoos ... The horrors affect me so deeply that I cannot bear to read about them anymore.

With the upcoming election on May 2, 2011, Animal Alliance / Environment Voters has a great opportunity to get our platform into the public forum for debate. We have 7 candidates standing for federal election this May.

Prior to the election call, Animal Alliance Environment Voters fought to protect wildlife in our national parks. You would think wildlife would be safe in our national parks. Sadly this is not the case. In fact, some wildlife is targeted and sometimes dealt harshly by the very agency mandated to provide protection. In addition to the cormorants on Middle Island, Parks Canada is considering or has already implemented the slaughter of moose in Gross Morne and Terra Nova National Parks in Newfoundland, elk in Elk Island and in Banff; bison on Elk Island; raccoon in Gwaii Haanas and Kejimkujik; and whitetail deer in St. Lawrence Island and in Point Pelee.

The Party for the Animals in Holland has demonstrated that it is possible to give animals and the environment a political. They have party members in Parliament and in their Senate. Their goals are to see animals living free from suffering caused by humans, and to promote animals’ rights to live naturally in their natural environment. They pressure the other political parties to work for change so that animal interests will not be continually subordinate to economic interests.

What is happening in Holland to improve the lives of animals can and will happen here in Canada too! Lynda Spencer