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!

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!

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

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.”

-30-

For more information contact:

Robin Wilson

604-230-5871

wilson@wwater.com

Authorized by the Official Agent for the Jennifer Clarke Campaign