Vol. 45, Issue 2 Fall 2012 Brant NDP Newsletter

Tom Mulcair puts focus on jobs in Brant Federal New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair visits local manufacturer Pro Fab Plastics and Sophia's Bakery for Southern Ontario Jobs Tour. This is Tom's second visit to Brant in 6 months.

New Democrats in Brant have had a busy 2012 with

over a dozen visits from sitting MP's and MPP's. This

past August NDP leader Tom Mulcair not only made

Brant a part of his Southern Ontario Jobs Tour but

mentioned the successful trip in his nationally televised

opening speech to the NDP Federal caucus.

Mr. Mulcair made a surprise drop in visit for a casual

lunch at Sophia's Bakery (a new eatery in the

downtown core) where he spoke with over 50 local

residents many of whom were surprised to see such a

well known politician appear unannounced. Mulcair

listened to the concerns of everyday community

members over a soup and sandwich.

Later he made his way to Pro Fab Plastics for a tour of

the facility and answered all media questions regarding

a variety of topics such as employment, land claims,

health care & post-secondary education.

Next, the Brant NDP will be visited by Provincial NDP

Leader Andrea Horwath for an election readiness

fundraiser. Ticket purchases are eligible for a 75% tax

reba te and can be reser ved by e -ma i l i ng

marc@brantndp.ca or calling (519) 751-9111.

The Grassroots

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A Letter From The Brant Young NDP

The Brant Young New Democrats is a group of local progressive youth committed to bringing positive change to the community of Brant. We have organized dodge ball tournaments, youth leadership conferences and are accustomed to hitting the pavement during elections to support our local NDP candidates.

The Brant Young New Democrats have continued to be active members in the community over the last few months. Several of Brant YNDP members attended the Brantford rally to save Katimavik, the Brantford Labour Day March and just a few weeks ago many were seen at the Brantford Farmer’s Market with NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau.

We are excited to plan more events in the upcoming months and promote the NDP in the community through our grassroots approach.

I would like to invite any young person (under 26) interested in progressive politics and making a positive impact in the community of Brant to join our group. Our monthly meetings are open to everyone and we would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Join our Facebook Page “Young New Democrats of Canada- Brant Riding Chapter” and feel free to email me at ryan_jamula@hotmal.com with any questions.

In Solidarity,

- Ryan Jamula President, Brant Young New Democrats

The Brant NDP organized a non-partisan rally to save the Katimavik Youth Program recently cut by the Harper Government.

Local News

Members of the Brant Young NDP take part in the 20th Annual Brantford Take Back The Night Event.

From Left to Right: Brant YNDP President Ryan Jamula at a Brant NDP Yard Sale Fundraiser, with visiting MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau,and at a rainy event in Burford with Marc Laferriere.

Recent Federal & Provincial Brant NDP Candidates Marc Laferriere & Brian Van Tilborg support the Annual Labour Day Soap Box Derby.

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Brant NDP Environmental CommitteeLocal News

This is a fervent call for help in formulating environmental policy recommendations. The Environment & Conservation Committee of the Brant NDP will soon be holding its first formal meeting.

Please call (519) 751-9111 if you would be interested in participating.

New people of all viewpoints will be sought to help us formulate righteous, cost-effective, sustainable policies on issues of local importance such as brown-fields, soil remediation, wetland preservation, water quality issues, gravel pit development, waterfront development, hazardous waste disposal and recycling.

We will encourage cost and benefit analysis and hope to make strong resolutions that will pass at the Provincial and Federal levels and would love to have your support.

Deputy Agricultural Critic Ruth Ellen Brosseau (centre) visits the Brantford Farmer's Market before a meeting with various members of the agricultural and rural communities of Brant.

Brant NDP Aboriginal Committee Co-Chair Amber Murray Protests lack of Six Nations School Supplies.

Brant NDP members pay tribute at the #DearJack celebration in Toronto.

MP Laurin Liu toured the Personal Computer Museum, in between other community meetings during her August visit to the riding.

By Stephen Morris

Dalton McGuinty wrongly used prorogation to close down Queen's Park. Email the Ontario NDP at yoursay@ndp.on.ca to tell them about the work you want to see happen at Queen’s Park instead.

Brant NDP Events Coming Soon:

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Bye Bye Brant. Hello Brants? By Len Davies (Former Brant NDP President)

For the first years of Canada, Brantford was represented by two federal ridings, Brant North and Brant South. For the past century we have gotten used to voting in a combined City of Brantford/County of Brant riding which includes Six Nations and New Credit. All that will change before the next Federal election. Current redistribution plans state that everything in the County of Brant north of the 403 (including Paris, St. George and Glen Morris) will become part of a Kitchener-Dumfries-North Brant riding which may stretch as far as the Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener. Many of you will no longer live in Brant riding if these changes occur and will need to form a new riding association and run a separate election campaign during the next federal election. The next provincial election will likely retain the same boundaries as the changes are not expected to take place until 2014. I find it odd that all this has come down so quickly. There will be consultations about these changes but none in Brant even though we will be greatly affected. The deadlines to register to speak at the consultations were very quick and not well publicized. I will be attending the consultations, speaking about these changes and reporting back to you on the results. Perhaps the government may change their plans. Let's hope! However, when natural communities of interest to Brantford such as Paris and St. George may no longer share a riding it tells me that the redistribution committee did not have a great deal of boots on the ground in Brant. We deserve better public management than the Harper Government and better opportunities for input than their process has allowed.