Fair Vote Canada - BBQ July 21st
Ecosource Paper Inc.
Dear friends of Electoral Reform
I am sending this message to a list of people who have been involved in the
BC-STV referendum. The invitation to the BBQ is posted at the end of my
message, a map is attached as well.
I will be accompanied by a political scientist from a small country and his
wife from British Columbia - read on ...
Reforming Canada's electoral system is on many citizens' mind today.
Therefore, the ongoing search for the most suitable system to enhance
Canada's democracy is paramount and complex. There is quite a selection of
democratic systems in Europe and elsewhere to choose from or we simply
develop our own.
So be prepared to enjoy a very exciting and interesting gathering together
with our MPs Denise Savoie and Gary Lunn: I have taken the liberty to
invite a political scientist from Switzerland to briefly give you an
overview of Direct Democracy, evolved through many processes of reform
within the last two centuries. He also can tell you more about the
democratic process going on in the European Union.
Please, welcome Andreas Gross, a Swiss political scientist who launched
already several successful Swiss popular initiatives, including the one
which brought Switzerland into the UN fold in 2002. Andi was the first Swiss
MP to speak at the UN General Assembly. An MP of the Social Democratic Party
for 15 years and an active member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe for 11 years, Andi Gross represents a living reformer of
electoral systems to improve democracy in Europe.
His responsibilities within the European Council, Andi Gross oversees the
member countries of Eastern Europe including Chechnya. Teaching at the
German Universities about Direct Democracy in a global, comparative
perspective is also his way of spreading electoral reform."
To know more about Andi Gross, please check his web site
<http://www.andigross.ch>
and his biography: click on "Zur Person" and another click on the English
version. Also If you click the British flag on his opening page, you get all
the many conferences and articles in English.
Andi Gross will be accompanied by his wife Louise. - Why not already booking
for the 2010 Olympics: Andi's wife, Louise, owns the B&B "The Swiss Cottage"
in Whistler <http://www.swisscanada.com/>
Andi Gross will stay in Whistler until mid August and can be approached for
any discussions held in B.C. He also will return in the fall and open for
events organized to discuss electoral reform and democracy in the public.
See you at the BBQ!
Odette Kalman
office: 595-4367
home: 386-1734
> From: "Orion Carrier" <orionc...@hotmail.com>
> Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 23:44:33 -0700
> To: orionc...@hotmail.com
> Subject: Major Electoral Reform Opportunity!
>
> Dear Fair Vote Canada Supporter!
>
> This is it!
>
> Proportional Representation. You want it. I want it. And we want our
> politicians to drive it home to Victoria and Ottawa!
>
> Well, here's the best chance to send a strong message that we've had for a
> long time!
>
> This Friday July 21, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, two of our local MP's Gary Lund and
> Denise Savoie have agreed to attend *your* Fair Vote Canada BBQ. Two
> MP's--from both ends of the political spectrum no less--have taken an
> afternoon out of *their* scarce free summer time to be there to listen up.
> Will you have taken the time out of *your* busy schedule to be there to
> speak up??
>
> Whether you come to this BBQ or whether you don't, you will have sent a
> strong message to these two politicians.
>
> Time: Friday July 21, 4:30 to 6:30 pm
> Location: 4683 Deerwood Terrace, Saanich (Directions: see bottom of e-mail)
> RSVP: Wendy at wendyb...@telus.net or phone 384-0666
> Ticket price is $20.
>
> The $20 includes great food, a couple of free alcoholic beverages, and a
> donation to FVC. But most importantly, it shows politicians that a large
> number of Canadians care so much about citizen-driven electoral reform, that
> they are willing to take the time to show up, pay money to support FVC, and
> drive this message home to them! And have some fun, too!
>
> We need more people to RSVP and show up. Please take a moment to do so
> today, and to forward this e-mail to your contacts.
>
> I am up to my eyeballs just before final exams, and I will be there with
> bells on none-the-less. Where will you and your friends and family be?
>
> I look forward to seeing you there!!
>
> Happy Summer!
>
> Orion Carrier
> Vice President, Victoria Chapter, Fair Vote Canada
>
> Directions (map image attached):
> -From Pat Bay Hwy (Hwy #17), take Royal Oak Drive east for about 1.5 km
> -Turn left (north) on Amblewood Drive, and go for about 500 m
> -Turn right on Deerwood Terrace, and follow it around
> -4683 Deerwood Terrace is on your right hand side
>
> ---------------------------
> In the 2006 election, over 1/2 of all votes cast elected no one. This is
> not democracy. Our unfair electoral system alienates nearly 1/2 of voters,
> exaggerates regional differences, and encourages our politicians to do
> whatever is expedient, rather than listen to voters.
>
> In the 2006 election, the media has focused on electoral reform in a postive
> light like never before. The only thing left to do to force electoral
> reform on reluctant politicians is for the public to stand up and demand it.
>
> Help make 2006 the last unfair election. Please sign Fair Vote Canada's
> petition, and consider joining Fair Vote Canada at
> http://www.fairvotecanada.org. And please, help us get the message out by
> forwarding this message far and wide. Thank you!
