Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre Liveblog
6:30 John Solomon is chairing the meeting, and gets us going on time. As Don has noted, last night saw turnout of 50+ in Lumsden; I'd peg turnout around the same tonight, but with at least a couple of dozen guests in the crowd.
6:35 Barb Dedi introduces the RLLC executive, followed by approval of the agenda. And we're onward...to Solomon's introduction of guests. A few more people trickle in as Solomon reads the rules.
6:44 John Tzupa takes over as balloting chair, followed by Brian Sklar delivering the first speech.
6:46 Brian is introduced by Lorna Standingready (focusing on his resume), Aaron Sklar (discussing his political involvement) and Juliet Eloyfsen (pitching Brian as a strong voice against the Harper Cons).
6:51 Brian begins his speech with a critique of "Silent" Tom Lukiwski as doing nothing but sending mail outs, noting the resource revenue issue as part of the reason Lukiwski was elected.
6:54 On to a sharp policy critique of the Cons ranging from the G8/G20 fiasco to the GST to pharmaceutical patents.
6:57 Still on policy, including child care and the Cons' dumb on crime policies.
6:58 "We have a problem in our own party"...referring to a need to "get tough" and "take back God".
7:00 And I think I just got referenced (as considering Sklar to be in Lingenfelter's pocket). I didn't particularly intend to say that, but always appreciate the shout out.
7:02 Kerry Hecker introduces Don Hansen, painting Don as a voice for the underdog with a strong history in rural and social justice issues.
7:04 Don starts off with some self-deprecation, a noteworthy contrast to Sklar's beginning to the effect that "I'd vote for me" based on his introductions.
7:05 On to an attack on Lukiwski, dealing in particular with a few of Stephen Harper's most notorious quotes.
7:06 Plenty of passion from Don as he slams the Cons' climate change denial and refusal to fund abortions in the developing world.
7:08 On to Lukiwski's "Type B" quote - in its full jarring effect - before noting his failure to do anything to atone after apologizing and claiming to want to make up for it.
7:09 A comparison between churches and political parties, with a statement that both succeed when they're looking outward rather than inward.
7:10 Don discusses his work fighting the child sex trade in the Philippines, telling a story of his participation with indigenous elders in an annual festival for his work protecting children.
7:14 Don closes noting that our goal is not just to win, but to win in order to make the world a better place, with a reference to Woodsworth.
7:15 "For us, politics is not about ourselves,...but about something bigger", referring to Tommy Douglas' "New Jerusalem".
7:16 On to the vote, with 53 registered delegates (exactly matching last night's total). Which will mean radio silence for a bit on this end, as I'll be scrutineering for Don.
7:30 And the winner is...Brian Sklar. As always, congratulations to both candidates, and we'll look forward to making a strong push to retake RLLC.
(Edit: fixed typos as per comment.)
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