But first, my sincere thanks to Past President Patrick Haney, his board and his executive.  They accomplished a great deal, and turned over a strong, healthy organization for us to build on.  Well done, and thank you, all of you.

The Vancouver Centre EDA is fortunate in many ways.  We have Jennifer Clarke, our candidate of record in the May election.  She didn’t ‘run and run’; after the election, she stayed active, working hard to help us get ready. . . in case  our current  Member of Parliament decides to retire before the next election comes around.

We also have a Board that is one of the youngest, hardest-working, and most diverse in the country.  A true reflection of Vancouver Centre itself.

But that brings me to the most important issue facing this riding: re-distribution.  The face of federal politics in Vancouver is about to go through a pronounced change with the passing of the Fair Representation Act.  British Columbia will add 6 new ridings for the next election and it stands to reason Vancouver will get one of those ridings.

In 2011 Vancouver finally sent a Conservative Member of Parliament to Ottawa. Wai Young soundly defeated Ujjal Dosanjh  and became the first Vancouverite elected under the banner of the Conservative Party of Canada.  Congratulations, Wai; we’re planning on electing more Conservative MPs from Vancouver to keep you company in Ottawa.

But we all know these are uncertain times for the global economy, and Canada is not immune.  We know too, that it will take a strong Conservative management hand to keep this country healthy, balanced, and prosperous.  Our opponents are already doing their best to shape the national discussion, but their brand of irresponsible hysteria is not what the country needs now.

Canada needs to continue the steady, capable and accountable management the Harper government has been providing.  And now as a government with a majority in the House, that’s what the Conservatives will continue to provide.

So please, come out to one, many or all of the events we’re planning.  Come and talk politics with like-minded Vancouverites.  And have a good time doing it!

All the best,

Paul Tolnai, President

Date & Time: Monday, January 9th, 2012, 7:00 pm

Location: 1068 Hornby Street (between Helmcken and Nelson) View Larger Map

A new board of directors will be elected at the AGM, and attendees will enjoy a special update on the state of the Party to be delivered by our BC National Councilor, Menno Froese.

We look forward to seeing you on January 9th. Till then, please accept our very best wishes for the holiday season and a happy and successful new year.

The Honourable James Moore (MP for Port Moody – Westwood – Port Coquitlam)

Date: Sunday, November 27, 2011

Where: Relish Gastropub & Bar, 888 Nelson Street, Unit G5, Vancouver

View Larger Map

Tickets: $40 (a tax receipt for the non-food portion of the fee will be available)

Admission includes coffee, orange juice, bacon, sausages and unlimited pancakes!

To register and purchase your tickets, please visit www.conservativeevent.ca/greycup or call event organizers Glen Arthur at 778-846-3300, or Ryan Warawa at 604-200-4272.

We look forward to having you join us for what will surely be a great start to the Grey Cup celebrations here in Vancouver!

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 4th, 2011, 6:00 pm

Location: The Mill Marine Bistro Pub at 1199 West Cordova Street.

This will be our first Pints & Politics social since the election and your friends and associates at the Vancouver Centre EDA have been busy working on a new election preparedness plan that will help ensure our riding is finally represented in Ottawa should the opportunity arise. More information will be forthcoming, and we encourage anyone who is interested in being part of this exciting process to contact us to learn more about how you can help.

We also wish to remind your that our Annual General Meeting will be held on January X, 2012. More information on this key event, including time and location, will be sent to you in the near future.

We look forward to catching up with many of you this coming Tuesday. As always, there is no need to RSVP for the event. So come on out – and bring your friends!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jennifer Clarke – Vancouver Centre

Vancouver, BC – It was hours after the polling stations closed in Vancouver Centre before it finally became clear that incumbent Hedy Fry had retained her seat as one of only two Liberal MPs in British Columbia.  Jennifer Clarke, the Conservative candidate for Vancouver Centre acknowledged Fry’s win in what was a hard fought battle.

“I was proud to be part of this very close three-way race”, said Clarke.  “I regret that I will not be Vancouver Centre’s Member of Parliament, but I congratulate Hedy Fry on her win and wish her well in representing the wishes of the constituents of this very diverse riding in Ottawa.  I also want to thank Karen Shillington, Adriane Carr, and all of the other candidates and their supporters for their vigorous participation in the election campaign and their valuable contribution to our great nation’s vibrant democracy.  Most of all I want to thank my campaign team for their outstanding efforts and all of the voters who went to the polls and gave me their votes.  To have such support and confidence from so many is always a humbling experience.”

“I am thrilled that we now have a Conservative majority in Parliament,” declared Clarke.  “We now have a stable government which can get on with the business of supporting Canadians by creating jobs and keeping taxes low, while increasing support for seniors and care-givers, healthcare and education, and by keeping our streets and communities safe for everyone.”

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For more information contact:

Robin Wilson

604-230-5871

wilson@wwater.com

Authorized by the Official Agent for the Jennifer Clarke Campaign

“A Conservative majority is the only path that at this time leads us to a Canada that will remain the prosperous, peaceful and predictable country in which we are fortunate enough to live”

Vancouver Province (click to read)

“Harper will stand up for a strong, unified Canada and focus his policies on the needs of taxpayers.”

Globe and Mail (click to read)

“Only Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party have shown the leadership, the bullheadedness and the discipline this country needs. He has built the Conservatives into arguably the only truly national party, and during his five years in office has demonstrated strength of character, resolve and a desire to reform.”

National Post (click to read)

“Conservatives a clear choice in uncertain times.”

MacLeans (click to read)

“We shouldn’t let poorly founded fears let us take risks with our prosperity.”

Montreal Gazette (click to read)

“Canada needs the stability of a majority government.”

Edmonton Journal (click to read)

“A Conservative government will be good for national unity.”

Winnipeg Free Press (click to read)

“The most certain way Canada will get the stability and policies it needs now is by electing a majority Conservative government on Monday.”

Ottawa Citizen (click to read)

“A Conservative majority would avoid months or years of parliamentary drama and guide the country on a prudent fiscal path. We endorse a return to political stability.”

Hamilton Spectator (click to read)

“We believe Stephen Harper’s Conservatives are the best and most logical choice to form the next government of Canada.”

In their public endorsement, Vancouver Fire Fighters stated that “in Vancouver Centre we believe that our endorsed candidate will be there to Vote for our issues.”

Jennifer Clarke responded to the news of the endorsement saying, “I am honoured to have the support of our Fire Fighters and to know that support springs from our shared commitment to public safety issues in Vancouver and across Canada – issues which must have a voice at the Government table. Public safety is a priority of a Conservative government as our voting record has demonstrated.”

Clarke commented on the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan and the announcement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that a majority Conservative Government would establish a Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit of $3,000 per year for volunteer Fire Fighters.  She said that “this was included in Budget 2011 after consultation with a number of organizations including the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.”

“It’s time that the people of Vancouver Centre had someone in Ottawa that they can trust to be there in person to represent their views and needs and it’s time that the heart of our great City had a strong voice in Ottawa, someone that is taken seriously and who will work hard for all of her constituents”, said Clarke.

The Vancouver Fire Fighters have joined other community leaders in endorsing Jennifer Clarke: http://www.vancouverconservative.com/endorsements-for-jennifer-clarke

To view the Vancouver Fire Fighters’ letter of endorsement, please click here.

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For more information contact:

Robin Wilson

604-230-5871

wilson@wwater.com

Authorized by the Official Agent for the Jennifer Clarke Campaign.

Vancouver, BC – Vancouver Centre MP Hedy Fry’s Parliamentary voting record shows she has a habit of not showing up for work. In the last session of Parliament (2010-11) the longtime Liberal MP missed 35 votes, placing her 240th out of 308 MPs in attendance.  To be fair, this was an improvement over the previous session that saw her miss so many votes that she ranked 291st in MP absenteeism. By comparison, the MP’s of the separatist Bloc Quebecois have, on average, better voting attendance.

Add Hedy Fry’s expenses to her salary of $168,896 and it cost taxpayers a total of $740,520 in 2009-2010 to have her not show up for crucial votes in the House of Commons, a record that is apparently acceptable to Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff who holds the worst record of any MP for absenteeism.  It doesn’t matter what they say during an election campaign if they don’t show up to vote.

Hedy Fry did not show up to vote on Bill C-268, a bill imposing minimum sentencing for trafficking of minors. (A bill that the Liberal Party supported.)

Hedy Fry did not show up for voting on Bill C-15 to create minimum sentencing for serious drug offences committed with violence or through organized crime (Another bill which the Liberal Party supported.)

Hedy Fry did not show up to vote for the 2007 budget, the 2008 budget, for the Budget 2009 supplemental budget for more tax relief for working families and first time home buyers, nor for the 2010 budget.

Hedy Fry’s voting record, when she does show up, is puzzling.  On February 15th, Hedy voted in favour of the Conservative bill to reform the Early Parole Act.  On Wednesday, February 16th she voted against it.

“It’s time that Vancouver Centre had someone in Ottawa that they can trust to be there in person to represent their views and needs. It’s time Vancouver Centre voters retire a representative who after 18 years takes voters for granted and doesn’t show up for work. And, it’s time that Vancouver Centre had a strong voice in Ottawa, someone that is taken seriously and who will work hard for her constituents”, said Vancouver Centre Conservative Candidate Jennifer Clarke.

“What is needed is a strong, stable Conservative majority in Parliament so that the government can get on with the business of supporting all Canadians by creating jobs, supporting families through tax cuts and increased support for seniors and caregivers, and by making our streets and communities safe”, added Clarke.

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For more information contact:

Robin Wilson

604-230-5871

wilson@wwater.com

BACKGROUNDER

MP HEDY FRY’S VOTE ATTENDANCE RECORD AMONGST THE WORST IN OTTAWA

Issue: Hedy Fry consistently misses work

• In the last session of Parliament Hedy Fry missed 35 important votes
• Since joining the opposition in 2006 she has missed a total of 192 votes
• Hedy Fry’s attendance record is even worse when compared to her colleagues because every year she has one of the lowest attendance rates in the House of Commons

Compare Hedy Fry’s voting attendance to all other MPs:

Source: www.howdtheyvote.ca

Conclusion:  Hedy Fry had a mandate to represent the people of Vancouver Centre and on 192 occasions in the past 5 years Vancouver Centre had no voice on crucial votes in the House of Commons.  Why?  Put simply she just wasn’t there

Issue:  Hedy Fry misses important votes

• Bill C-268: minimum sentences for trafficking in minors (Sep 30, 2009)
• Bill C-15: minimum sentences for serious drug offenses (June 3 & 8, 2009)
• Bill C-2: European Free Trade (March 30, 2009)
• Bill C-5: establishing the Public Health Agency of Canada (June 20, 2006)

Source: www.howdtheyvote.ca

Conclusion:  Hedy Fry had a mandate to represent the people of Vancouver Centre and on critical occasions in the past 5 years Vancouver Centre had no voice on votes in the House of Commons.  Why?  Put simply she just wasn’t there.

Issue: Hedy Fry is getting paid for not showing up for work

• While consistently ranking amongst the lowest of MPs in terms of attendance there is one category in which Hedy Fry is near the top: MP expenses!
• Last year Hedy Fry cost taxpayers $740,520:  $571,624 in expenses and $168,869 in salary
• Her $571,624 in expenses was 23.5% higher than the $463,009 average for all MPs

Breakdown of Hedy Fry’s Compensation (April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010)

Source: The Board of Internal Economy & Public Disclosure – Parliament of Canada

Conclusion: Hedy Fry’s expenses are not just higher than most MPs, they are also increasing significantly from year to year. Last year she spent more than $68,000 in additional expenses over the previous year and $82,000 more than 2006 – 2007. Hedy Fry had a mandate to represent the people of Vancouver Centre and it cost taxpayers $740,520.04.

Hedy Fry’s Compensation for the Past Four Years

Source: The Board of Internal Economy & Public Disclosure – Parliament of Canada

Authorized by the official agent of the Jennifer Clarke Campaign.

WATERLOO, ONTARIO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will implement a range of measures, including reducing unnecessary regulation, to support small businesses in creating jobs and spurring economic growth.

“Canada’s entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, creating jobs and driving long-term economic growth in communities large and small across our country,” said Mr. Harper.  “It is important that government create the conditions for Canadian entrepreneurs to flourish and grow.”

A re-elected Stephen Harper Government will spur a culture shift within government by legislating a ‘one-for-one’ rule, so that government must eliminate an existing regulation every time it proposes a new one.  The success of the small- and medium-sized business sector contributes greatly to the economic and social success of Canada; however, 26 per cent of small business owners say they may not have gone into business had they known the true burden of regulation.

Stephen Harper’s Government has taken decisive action to address the needs and concerns of entrepreneurs in the last five years, including reducing taxes and red tape; improving access to business financing; making substantial investments in training, research, and development; and opening up new markets.  Building upon Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s declaration of 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur, a re-elected Conservative Government will further support Canadian businesses by:

• Moving forward with the Red Tape Reduction Commission, which will apply a small business lens to regulations to ensure that they do not have unintended impacts on small businesses.

• Introducing a $1,000 Employment Insurance tax credit for any new employees hired by a small business.

• Extending BizPal, an online service for businesses that provides streamlined, customized one-stop shopping for information on required permits and licences.

• Providing $20 million over two years for the Canada Youth Business Foundation, enabling young Canadians to launch more than 1,000 new businesses and generate an estimated 6,700 new jobs.

“As Canada emerges from a worldwide economic recession and government economic stimulus winds down, it is essential for Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs to drive our economic recovery,” said Mr. Harper.  “The Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan will allow Canadian businesses do exactly that by giving them support, and will help spur the culture shift within government that they need to grow and create jobs.”

Mr. Harper also noted that the Ignatieff Liberal, NDP, Bloc Québécois plan to raise taxes on business would deal a harsh blow to Canada’s economic recovery, resulting in the loss of thousands of Canadian jobs.  “The high-tax agenda shared by the Ignatieff Liberals, the NDP and Bloc Québécois will kill jobs, stall our economic recovery and jeopardize the financial security of hard-working Canadian entrepreneurs and families.”

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