🚀 go-pugleaf

The following is a copy of the notes Alexa will be using when 
she has her press conference today in Ottawa and Halifax. 

If you like what she is about or have any questions you can 
phone her office in Halifax at 902-443-5556, or e-mail your 
address and phone number to me, and I'll pass them on.



________________________________________________
________________________________________________

NOTES FOR A STATEMENT BY

ALEXA MCDONOUGH

ANNOUNCING HER CANDIDACY FOR LEADER OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC 
PARTY OF CANADA

Tuesday, May 30, 1995
Ottawa, Ontario

I am here today to announce my candidacy for the leadership 
of the New Democratic Party.

I am a proud Canadian, a proud Nova Scotian and an 
unrepentant optimist about our country. We face great 
challenges as a nation. This is true for us as it is true for 
every nation on earth. But I firmly believe Canada remains 
the best country in the world and that our best days lie 
ahead.

The New Democratic Party and the CCF before it has played a 
very vital role in building this nation. Right now we're 
refocusing a vision and purpose for ourselves and for the 
many Canadians who share our values.

It is critical that the New Democratic Party re-emerge as a 
strong, clear voice for everyday people.

Why? Because almost everyone, almost everyday, is facing more 
stresses and new stresses. And shockingly, very few 
politicians in Ottawa are paying attention. Instead they are 
preoccupied with the needs of bankers, brokers, bond dealers 
and money speculators. They don't see improvement in their 
lives anywhere on the horizon.

They worry that Medicare won't be there for them when they 
need it. They're concerned about their children's future and 
their parents' health. What we're doing to our natural 
environment. And everybody is worried whether anything will 
be left in their Canada Pension Plan when they retired.

As a result of all these new stresses - and this is what 
concerns me most - our self esteem as a nation is 
deteriorating.
This eroding self image is especially sad in a country that 
has played such an important independent role on the world 
stage for so long. And it is imperative that we recognise the 
need for a strong federal government; and rebuild a strong 
national identity to help us compete in a world economy that 
has grown more complicated and more globalised.

I'm in this leadership race to give Canadians a realistic 
basis for hope. People who work hard, pay their taxes and 
obey the law must be the first concern of our federal 
government - not the last. And the venerable in our society 
must be supported - not blamed.

People across Canada are saying that they want their elected 
leaders to help them achieve their dreams, not snatched them 
away. They want leaders to offer realistic hope for the 
future instead of a constant stream of pessimism. Canadians 
want national leaders to share their dreams, understand their 
fears and be on their side.

They don't have that today.

Three of four national parties now seek , not to make 
government work, but to dismantle it to the point that it 
cannot serve the genuine interests of ordinary citizens.

These parties have given up on our Canada.

They have given up on Medicare.   Imagine.

Medicare is one of the most important things that define us 
as Canadians. Medicare is what people around the world 
applaud when they point out the difference between Canada and 
the United States. Most important of all, Medicare is one of 
the few pillars propping up our national self esteem. And 
they want to knock it down.

We're already seeing the results of leaders who have lost 
hope: health care seriously eroded; abandonment of any 
commitment to eradicate poverty; schools closing; 
universities frantic for funds; and our railroads, airports 
and other institutions being auctioned off.

I refuse to surrender to this brutal economic feudalism.  We 
must reduce our financial deficit, but we must do so without 
driving up our social deficit. Social programs can be recast 
and revised to become critical supports in restructuring our 
economy, and to enable individuals, families and communities 
battered by recession to rebuild their lives.

I don't come here today to tell you that I have all of the 
answers. Nor will a revitalized New Democratic Party have all 
of the answers. But I can tell you this: Most politicians in 
Canada today aren't even asking the right questions.

I intend to work with people to come up with realistic 
answers. I will travel from one end of the country to the 
other, urging Canadians not to let these tired leaders snatch 
away their dreams and rob them of hope.

I'm sure Canadians will agree with me when I say to those 
other leaders:

If you don't have the confidence, commitment and energy to 
keep this country moving forward, get out of the way - a new 
generation of Canadians is coming through.

One of our main challenges facing a revitalised, energised 
New Democratic Party of Canada is the building of a strong 
progressive alternative to the mean-spirited neo-
conservatives who appeal to the darker side in each of us by 
whispering "greed is good" and "you're a sucker if you're not 
selfish."

We must counter these defenders of the wealthy and privilege 
who are trying to convince middle class Canadians that the 
frustrations and insecurities they experience are all the 
fault of those in society who are poorer and more vulnerable 
then themselves.

Rebuilding this critical political voice in Canada requires 
the participation and contribution of all those who make up 
the progressive left in Canada, including organised labour.

I am encouraged by the New Democratic Party renewal process 
to date.  But it's now clearer then ever that we need the 
progressive forces in this country to put aside small 
differences and come together to build the broadly-based 
consensus required to turn Canada around.

This is our task That is what we must do to restore and 
strengthen the social democratic presence in the political 
life in Canada.

In Nova Scotia, I spent 15 years working to build the New 
Democratic Party into a credible and effective force in 
provincial politics.  I won't pretend that the task has 
always been easy.  But it has always been worth it.

In 1980, I began as a leader without a seat. In 1981 I won a 
seat but was a caucus of one, with no official party status. 
I know the frustrations of scarce resources and limited 
legislative strength. I also know the possibilities. I 
learned to be innovative and to make the most of 
opportunities as they rose.

The task I began 15 years ago in Nova Scotia is more then a 
little similar to the task I am eager to tackle now at the 
federal level. This is work I know.

Truthfully, when I stepped down as Nova Scotia New Democratic 
Party leader six months ago, I did not contemplate being here 
today.  I need a break to take stock, to search out answers 
and to just plain talk with people.

Over this past year I have talked with a lot of people, and I 
know most of them are worried about where we are headed. many 
in my own riding, and across Nova Scotia, have urged me to 
think about the federal leadership. I have also been 
encouraged to run by friends, and by people I don't even 
know, elsewhere in Canada.

Politics is the lifeblood of a free and democratic. It has 
been my privilege every day for a decade and a half to serve 
Nova Scotians. It would be a great privilege to lead our 
national party.

Today I am taking the first step towards that objective. I do 
so with enthusiasm and optimism. It will be a great 
adventure. And whatever the outcome, it is my aim to ensure 
that when the leadership is over, the federal New Democratic 
Party is more energised, more united and stronger then it has 
ever been.


_____________________________________
_____________________________________



You can help Alexa become the Leader of the NDP and as Prime 
Minister of Canada by:

 1) You can vote for her in the upcomming primaries, to do so 
you must become a member of the NDP. You can become a member 
by contacting your provincial office, or in Saskatchewan and 
Ontario contact your riding's campaign office.
To vote you must become a member of the New Democratic Party 
before the 24th of June.

To join the NDP contact your provincial office.

NDP Phone Numbers
Newfoundland NDP                   709-729-0270
Nova Scotia NDP                    902-424-4134
PEI NDP                            902-???-????
New Brunswick NDP                  506-453-3305
Quebec NDP                         514-987-9520
Ontario NDP Call your riding's campaign office or the 
provincial office at               416-325-7116
Manitoba NDP                       204-945-3710
Saskatchewan NDP Call your riding's campaign office or the 
provincial office at               306-525-1322
Alberta NDP                        403-474-2415
British Colombia                   604-430-8600


2) Volunteer, 
3) Donate funds 


Alexa will soon have an e-mail address but in the mean time I 
can pass on any messages to her.

E-mail me at al590@freenet.carleton.ca, and to make sure I 
receive it please send a copy to sysop@menage.synapse.net

As well if you have ideas or can help I am putting together a 
number of proposals on how we can use computer networks, 
other new technologies, and to elect Alexa as leader.

Also I am posting this to a number of Usenet Forums, but if 
you have an account on other networks or BBSs please feel 
free to post a copy of this and her biography.

Post this in either political discussion areas or in 
Forums/Nets/BBSs that deal with any of the social and 
economic groups that the party works with (Fidonet echos, 
Lavender Net, Peacenet, Solinet etc.)


Also I need some people to help me key in some newspaper 
articles about Alexa, if you would have some time to help 
please e-mail me and I'll send you the info by Canada Post, 
or fax.

Who am I?

My name is Alex Johnston and I have been active in the party 
since I worked for Alexa when I was 15 in 1979. In the mean 
timew I have worked as an organisor and campaign manager for 
the party in the Quebec City area as well as the Outaouais. I 
have also worked full time in Ottawa Centre during the last 
provincial election. I am now a member of the federal council 
as well, and I run a small free community BBS(900 members) 
here in the Ottawa area for the Gay, Lesbain and Bisexual 
Community.

Alex Johnston
sysop@menage.synapse.net
al590@freenet.carleton.ca

Menage Computer Networks
613-728-4499
613-728-9237

--
Alex Johnston, al590@freenet.carleton.ca