Calgary By-election phone calls

[Scott Baker]

Following up from last night: This Thursday I'll be calling into Calgary-Centre to support candidate Chris Turner, and I would love some company.

When: Thursday, November 22nd, 4:30pm-8:30pm

Where: my house, 1758 Venables (between Commercial and Victoria).  But I would am interested in switching it to a more spacious venue, and will inform you if I find one.  (email me if you have ideas/leads)

What to bring: cell phone that can call at 1-800 number, laptop to access wifi.  If you don't have either, I can possibly provide one, just let me know.  Any level of knowledge and experience is fine, as we will do a quick training session for everyone that is new.

RSVP: if you'd like to join, try and give me a heads up so I can make arrangements with space in my house.

Why Green/why Calgary Centre?

There are three bi-elections happening next Monday: Victoria, Calgary Centre and Durham. Victoria and Durham are expected to go to the incumbent parties, but Calgary appears to be a close race. Calgary centre is a business centre, with many young professionals that are prone to 'swing'.

Unseating a Conservative in the riding would be a historical upset, and an important symbolic win for the progressive movement.

In the latest polling results Tory=32% (dropping 16%), Liberal=30%, Green=23% (gaining 12%), NDP=12%.  I think it is a very hopeful polling result for the Greens.

1. They polled 367 people, using landlines, and thus have likely missed
2. The trends are important: the Torys lost 16% of which the Greens picked up 12%.  This trend indicates that a further slip might continue to benefit Greens.
3. Turners campaign has been dynamic and exciting. For example, they sold out a 500 person $10 per head political rally. Unheard of, not only for the Greens. But for most political parties

Lastly - i'll mention that this is a bi-election, and will not change the government.  Therefore, strategic voting is not something you need to factor in.  Rather - its what voice you would like to add to the national discourse, and what precedent you'd like to set running up to 2015.

If you have any questions, please give me an email or call.  

Also - this weekend, i will probably be headed over to Victoria to pitch in on Murray Rankin's campaign for the NDP.  If anyone wants to join - also get in touch.  Murray is a great candidate, and the weekend of campaigning is going to be a very fun time, and a good opportunity to network with NDPers and other progressives.  

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Scott Baker 

c. 604.440.0498