This is where you can enjoy a tipple with the talk, a drink with the debate, and even an argument washed down with ale.  So much for the alliteration.   This is always a fun, casual night, where you can argue politics for hours, and most everyone’s on the same side.  The important stuff:

The Date:  Leap night, Wednesday, Feb 29

The Time:  7 to 9 pm, or whatever

The Place:  Relish Gastropub, 888 Nelson Street, just a few steps west of Granville and east of Burrard St. Click here for the map.

Join the Running (or Walking, or Cartwheeling) Tories in the Vancouver Sun Run

You’ll get a groovy t-shirt, have a chance to wave at a few thousand people along the route, and contribute to charity. . . all in one morning.  Run, walk, crawl, hop, whatever moves you, come and join us on Sunday April 15th.  Contact Robert Boyd at rwaboyd@gmail.com for all the details, registration info, etc.  We usually go for a carb-loaded breakfast after the run, so that should seal the deal!

Thank you again to everyone for supporting and participating in our EDA. We encourage you to check back often for more news, photos and events.

See you soon!

Election day has passed and we are so pleased with the historic win for the Harper Conservatives! In Vancouver Centre our wonderful candidate Jennifer Clarke and her team brought us a result, that while short of our ultimate goal, surpassed many expectations and gives us great hope for the future. We increased our vote total by more than 1,100 to 15,323 (+8.0%). The gap between our vote total and that of the winning Liberal campaign was reduced from over 5,000 in 2008 to less than 3,000 this election. Our message of strong, stable, responsible Conservative government was heard across Canada, including in many new urban ridings like our own.

Thank you all for your support and energy over the campaign. We will keep you involved and informed (albeit a little less frequently compared to the last month!) as we continue to build the Conservative Brand in Vancouver Centre over the coming months. Last but certainly not least, thank you to our campaign team, especially our campaign manager John Aisenstat and our candidate Jennifer Clarke, who worked so hard over the past five weeks. Simply put, their dedication and sacrifice was inspiring.

Sincerely,

Patrick M. Haney

Vancouver Centre EDA President

To view other endorsements of Jennifer Clarke, please click here.

To view other endorsements of Jennifer Clarke, please click here.

The reason that I’m running as a Conservative is because I believe a Conservative government is best placed to tackle the issues that people in the riding care most about. The number one concern I’m hearing from people is about their jobs or small businesses. The Conservative government has done a great job in steering Canada through the world economic crisis with policies to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and keep taxes low. As a direct result, Canada has become the envy of other nations.

Conservative policies have lowered the small business tax rate, increased businesses that are eligible for it, reduced payroll tax increases, and eliminated red tape. This is making it easier for businesses to keep people employed and find new markets for their goods and services.

I’m a champion for continued investment in infrastructure and tourism initiatives, huge economic drivers in this riding. This government has invested $2.2 billion in British Columbia with tens of millions of dollars into Vancouver Centre in social housing, cultural spaces, and other recreational, environmental, and rapid transit initiatives. But there’s more to be done.

A strong approach on social issues ensures a safe and healthy community. I’m a champion of our urban issue of homelessness and support the Conservative government’s national homelessness strategy, announced in 2008. More than $1.9 billion will be invested over five years to address the needs of low-income Canadians, those at risk of homelessness, and the homeless themselves. The Conservative party, unlike other parties, supports free votes in Parliament on social issues. This means I can support my constituents’ views and vote my conscience.

I will be a strong voice for safety in our communities and will support initiatives to raise funds for youth at risk and the Conservative youth at risk strategy. I also think the Conservative bills to crack down on street racing and money laundering by organized crime, and tougher sentences for violent crime and for offenses committed with guns, will contribute to less crime in our community.

I want to balance the need for economic growth with our responsibility to ensure the protection of the environment. I support Conservative measures to expand protected wilderness areas, legislation to eliminate harmful contaminants from our environment, and investment in environmental technology and research.

As a former university instructor and parent of children in postsecondary education, I’m a champion of education in our riding at all levels. This includes college, university, trades, and apprenticeship programs that will help meet our country’s goal of having the most literate and skilled workforce in the world.

I’m asking for your support because I believe that with a strong economy, social conscience, and a strong voice in government we will make Vancouver Centre cleaner, safer, and more prosperous.