A voice from Riverbend

Starting a collection of unnecessary quotes

2012-02-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

Don't say that!

A collection of quotes without which the Canadian political discourse would have lost nothing. Suggestions for additions always welcome!

http://betterifnotsaid.blogspot.com/

Floor-crossing heart-switching mind-changers

2012-01-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

John L. is my best friend
And I believe with all my heart
In this man's vision for our land.
I'm thrilled to be a part
Of positive change.

John L., you know, is dead.
I must confess: at heart
My views are not the ones he had
And I'm no more a part
Of positive change.

Happy holidays!

2011-12-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to all the readers of the blog! I hope that all is well with you and yours this holiday season and would like to wish you all the best in 2012. Let it be a positive year, in spite of all the odds.

Best regards,
Artem

PUBLIC ROUND TABLE ON INCOME INEQUALITY: IS THERE A REMEDY?

2011-11-27T11:48:00.002-07:00

Saturday February 11th from 2 to 4 pm at the Riverbend Library (Rabbit Hill Road and Terwillegar Drive)
Income inequality is a very old issue, but the problem is that it is only becoming worse. Since the 1970s, the top 10% of Canadians by personal wealth at least doubled their share of all wealth. In the same period, the income of most Canadians has remained practically the same, or even shrunk, leading to an increase in the level of poverty in our communities: 10% of all Canadians today live in poverty. This is not simply a statistic. This is the everyday reality for millions of people in our country. Do you have anything to say about this? Would you like to hear other people’s opinions on ways Canada can resolve the gap between the wealthy few and the struggling many? Please join us for our first Round Table of 2012!

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/127077167403320/

Some thoughts on the Occupy movement, Minister Toews, the long gun registry debate and other issues

2011-11-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

Looking back at the start of the Conservative majority and the news for the past week

2011-11-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

On the defining moment for the Harper Conservatives, the looming Ministry of Happiness, F-35s, Flaherty's math, and Veteran Affairs cuts

2011-10-26T13:10:00.000-06:00

On billionaires, Harper Conservatives vs Texas conservatives, pension protection, voter turnout rates and other issues

2011-10-20T10:20:00.000-06:00

On Afghani government torture, Tory motivational strategies and relation to human rights

2011-10-14T08:28:00.000-06:00

Bigger cuts to services mean bigger bonuses?

2011-10-11T10:23:00.000-06:00

Globe & Mail reports: "Axe-wielding executives in the public service stand to earn big bonuses based on how much they cut in the run-up to the 2012 federal budget." How does this make you feel?
Does this mean that if a bureaucrat fires 1000 people instead of 100, he gets a bigger bonus? It does seem so.
Does this mean that if an over-zealous staffer proposes to, for example, relax environmental controls, his office will only benefit from it? It does seem so.
Does this mean that the Harper Conservatives couldn't care much less for what we all think? Easy question...

On Tories giving back to education, their golden business cards, and other news

2011-10-09T09:50:00.000-06:00

For other videos, please visit youtube.com/artemNDP

Notes for the Election Report to be made at the Edmonton-Leduc NDP AGM

2011-10-05T20:51:00.002-06:00

Election result – 11,488 and 19.3%. Best for the party in the riding’s history. Best for non-Tories since 2004.

NDP 1^st in 4 polls (1 in Brander Gardens, 1 in Royal Gardens, 1 in Sweet Grass, 1 in Blue Quill Estates).

We are second in all but a handful of the rest of the polls.

We have a very good result in several other polls in Royal Gardens, Riverbend, Hodgson, Blue Quill, Greenfield, Sweet Grass, Duggan, Steinhauer.

We have significantly improved our standing in a number of polls in Aspen Gardens, Brander Gardens, Brookside, Rhatigan Ridge, Buylea Heights, Henderson, Leger, Haddow, Terwilleger, Ogilvie, Skyrattler, Ermeniskin, practically all of Leduc and all of Devon.

Importantly, while we jumped almost 8% and almost doubled our vote count, the result for James Rajotte went up by less than half a percent point. Given the number of new areas and residents since 2008, this cannot be good news for the local Tories.

Discouraging news for everyone in this election is not only the fact that the Tory vote still went up, but also that the turnout increased by just 3%. Still, this is the highest number of people that voted ever in Edmonton-Leduc.

Once again, heartfelt thank you to everyone that participated in the campaign. Our canvassers and volunteers in the next campaign will meet more former NDP voters than ever before. We are definitely moving forward. We still have a long way to go, but if we don’t stop now and wait until the next election, we’ll get a lot done. Thank you.

"What Canadians want" and what they should expect from the Harper Conservatives

2011-09-28T20:59:00.002-06:00

Southwest Edmonton NDP AGMs coming up

2011-09-26T09:17:00.001-06:00

	Thursday, October 6 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm

	Southminster-Steinhauer United Church 10740 - 19th Ave Edmonton, Alberta



	GUEST SPEAKER: Elisabeth Ballermann, President of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta Edmonton-Leduc Federal NDP Edmonton-Whitemud Provincial NDP Edmonton-Rutherford Provincial NDP Find out what the SW Edmonton social democrats are up to these days. You don't have to be an NDP member to attend! Facebook event

On Conservative waste math hypocrisy and keeping voters involved outside of an election

2011-09-22T09:08:00.000-06:00

On Afghanistan, the new Air Canada strike and Arctic oil spill cleanup

2011-09-19T07:52:00.000-06:00

$500,000 spending limit per leadership candidate, really?

2011-09-10T14:27:00.000-06:00

I almost feel like supporting the NDP leadership hopeful that doesn't spend more than a few hundred dollars on the campaign. Given the fact that dozens of federal riding campaigns throughout the country in the 2011 election worked with around $15,000 budgets and thus could only ironically smile at suggestions of "second mailers towards the end of the campaign" and "larger signs placed strategically", the $500,000 spending limit per candidate in the leadership race doesn't sound anywhere reasonable to me. I don't know, maybe I'm new to this and don't understand something important that would make this a logical number, but I don't see how spending some 33 riding campaign budgets (times however many candidates there will be) on an in-party race in a social-democratic party makes sense. Running a Facebook page and a Twitter account, together with support for a wide online discussion and the opportunity of asking questions at a series of public forums (which several candidates can hold together) doesn't cost half a million dollars. Please, don't prove me wrong! Let's use this outrageous amount of money (which must be available, or else why would it ever be mentioned?) on revitalizing a bunch of riding organizations, holding interesting events and training sessions, organizing a joint fund to support innovative approaches in grassroots campaigns, staying in the mainstream media, anything else that will prove more worthwhile in the long run.

On preventive detentions, the mission in Libya and Tony Clement's attitude to Canada

2011-09-07T10:17:00.000-06:00

Round Table Discussion on Labour Rights and Privatization Issues in Canada

2011-09-05T14:02:00.000-06:00

Hoping to see many of you at the non-partisan Round table discussion taking place on Sept. 20th starting at 7 pm at the Riverbend Public Library in Edmonton. Representatives of CUPW, CUPE, the Council of Canadians (and the federal NDP) have confirmed attendance.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=224791227562971

On party mergers, Tory rudeness, tons of complaints, anti-immigrant sentiments, and other news

2011-09-04T16:18:00.002-06:00

Shall we stop calling things "politics"?

2011-08-28T14:44:00.001-06:00

A number of events of the past week really got me thinking on whether the omnipresent terms "politics" and "politician" are adequate and even appropriate to describe the actions and people usually tagged as such. Just to think of it - someone orders that hospitals be shelled (or "inspires" gun battles in and around hospitals, while patients and doctors suffer and die) and people be burned in their homes, and they are officially political leaders. Other individuals live the whole life caring for their neighbors, the environment, fight against corruption and hatred, playing an indispensable part in building a more just society - and we call them politicians. The same goes for "political". An organization calling for community-destroying school closures and the privatization of our health care system is political, just like the grassroots groups working for safer communities, literacy, access to medication. So what is "politics"? Is it greed, violence, deception, crime and total lack of any moral and ethic guidelines? Or is it compassion, love, optimism, not asking for anything in return for help? If it's both, then maybe it's time to stop using this pointless label.

On Tony Clement, free trade vs human rights, and Tories fighting asbestos widows

2011-08-17T15:50:00.000-06:00

The dubious achievement of renaming things

2011-08-15T18:40:00.000-06:00

Stephen Harper and his party seem to have a real urge to rename objects and organizations, place labels and signs on things, and do all of this in the name of Canada. Looking back at their previous "achievements" on this front of "work", it's possible to predict/guess what they will turn their name-calling or name-changing efforts to further:

2009: "Annual Budget of Canada" renamed "Canada's Economic Action Plan"
2010: Tony Clement's Slush Fund renamed "G8/G20 Expenses"
2010: The War in Afghanistan renamed "A training mission in Afghanistan"
2011: "Government of Canada" renamed "Harper Government"
2011: The word "royal" reinstalled in the names of Canadian military
????: Stephen Harper's riding of Calgary Southwest renamed
????: Ottawa renamed
????: Parliament renamed
????: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms renamed
????: Canada renamed

On the "ethical oil" campaign, barriers for doctors, Harper's sophisticated discourse, and government waste

2011-08-07T10:31:00.002-06:00

On failed political jokes, inappropriate discourse, the Kabul embassy drinking tab, and other issues

2011-07-29T14:12:00.002-06:00

On culture war against Harper, media sensationalism, poverty in Alberta and sending kids to jail

2011-07-24T09:05:00.000-06:00

Harper's Conservatives as the new "natural governing party of Canada", the "training" mission in Afhganistan and government spending

2011-07-13T22:24:00.000-06:00

On "inaccurate" gas pumps, RCMP report on G8 summit site, and ways to get people to vote

2011-07-10T10:20:00.002-06:00

On oilsands wealth and possible long-term consequences of the Canada Post "resolution"

2011-06-30T18:05:00.002-06:00

Attempt at a conversation with Minister Raitt

2011-06-26T10:57:00.000-06:00

Mrs. Raitt,
As you've started your tenure as a Labour Minister with a major breakthrough in taking labour rights in Canada into the 19th century, here is some advice for the future (as the tough-on-workers approach will surely provoke more strikes, not fewer):

Fastest way to decrease unemployment: stop recognizing those unemployed as workers at all. Just start treating them like a nuisance that can be easily disregarded. Pat on the shoulder from neanderthal colleagues guaranteed.
Easiest way to push through back-to-work legislation: quickly claim that anyone opposing the legislation is unpatriotic and wants to kill the economy. Get a few sunny-news papers and TV channels to spread the word. Everyone goes back to work while you can go back to sleep.

Something to think about.

On shut-up-and-get-back-to-work legislation and other things

2011-06-24T07:26:00.002-06:00

On value of unions, on spending cuts, on PTSD, and on asbestos: "News & Views" for week of June 12th

2011-06-15T21:01:00.002-06:00

Budget advice for Flaherty, thoughts on the postal strike and other events

2011-06-09T07:12:00.000-06:00

Harper's "Mission Completed" moment et al. ("News & Views" with Artem Medvedev for this week)

2011-06-01T07:36:00.001-06:00

"News & Views" with Artem Medvedev, week of May 23rd

2011-05-28T09:21:00.000-06:00

"News & Views" with Artem Medvedev, week of May 16th

2011-05-19T12:16:00.002-06:00

"News & Views" with Artem Medvedev, week of May 9th

2011-05-08T12:48:00.000-06:00

Looking forward to your feedback!
AM

Thank you

2011-05-03T12:29:00.002-06:00

Dear friends,

It has been a privilege to run as the New Democrat candidate for Edmonton-Leduc. I'm honoured to have received the support of almost 11,5 thousand of voters in our riding - this is the best result for progressive politics in our riding in the past several elections. During the campaign, I've been fortunate to rely on the help and advice of a wonderful and dedicated group of volunteers and I would like to thank each one of them, as well as every person that joined our campaign for positive change by donating, taking a sign or simply engaging in meaningful dialogue about ways to build a better future for Edmonton, Leduc and Devon.

Please note that my weekly show on Leduc Radio continues after the election and I plan to remain actively involved in keeping our MP accountable to voters. The campaign website will remain up as a record of our campaign, but updates will only be made to my blog at http://artemmedv.blogspot.com for now.

Once again, thank you for your kind support. It really means a lot to me.

Regards,

Artem Medvedev

Where to vote?

2011-04-30T22:09:00.000-06:00

Find out HERE

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaigning Itinerary for Sunday May 1st

2011-04-30T22:07:00.000-06:00

We're spending the last day of the campaign as actively as ever!
Interact with our team throughout the day at the following locations:

Leduc Recreation Centre
Main Street Leduc
YMCA on 111st in Edmonton
Terwillegar Rec Centre
Riverbend Library
Whitemud Crossing Library
119 Street
23 Avenue
111 Street
Calgary Trail
Ellerslie Road
Rabbit Hill Road

to name just a few. Interested in joining our efforts, email Artem at artemmedvedev@ndp.ca or call him at 780-222-6175 throughout the day.

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaigning Itinerary for Saturday April 30

2011-04-28T19:57:00.000-06:00

From 10:30 am to 1 pm, our team is in Leduc, first joining the Leduc Black Gold Days Parade downtown Leduc and then dropping by the Leduc Recreation Centre (LRC).
Throughout the day, we are campaigning at various shopping malls, two public libraries and two recreation centers in Edmonton.
Campaign trail phone number is 780-222-6175. Messages can be left at 780-421-4821. I can be reached by email at artemmedvedev@ndp.ca

Let's make history out there, people!

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaigning Itinerary for Friday April 29

2011-04-28T19:53:00.004-06:00

At 2:30 pm, we are campaigning next to Confederation Recreation Centre and the two schools right next to it.
At 7:30 pm, I'm speaking at an all-candidates forum organized by the Muslim Association of Canada at former Lessard Mall (6102-172 Street).
Throughout the day, our volunteers and I will also be appearing at Riverbend Public Library, Whitemud Crossing Public Library, Terwilleger Recreation Centre and various shopping malls in the riding. Let me know if you would like to join our efforts in these crucial last days of the campaign!
The phone number to catch Artem and the team on the campaign trail is 780-222-6175.

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaigning Itinerary for Thursday April 28

2011-04-28T09:44:00.001-06:00

Thursday we are in Edmonton again. If you need to track us down, call 780-222-6175.

Meeting at Bear Mountain Cafe in Southgate at 3:45 pm.

Visiting:

Confederation Rec Centre
Lous St. Laurent School
Ainley School
Whitemud Crossing Library and shopping area
Terwillegar Rec Centre
Riverbend Library and shopping area

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaigning Itinerary for Wednesday April 27

2011-04-26T11:50:00.000-06:00

On April 27th we are campaigning in Devon and then having a BBQ with Jack Layton in Edmonton!
Starting 10:15 and until 4 pm - Artem and the team making spontaneous appearances throughout Devon.
At noon we are holding a larger meet-and-greet next to the Devon Royal Canadian Legion on the corner of Superior Street and Athabasca Avenue.
Our campaign then moves to Edmonton for a BBQ with Jack Layton - first national party leader to pay a visit to Edmonton-Leduc this election. Join Jack, Artem and other Edmonton-area NDP federal candidate at 5:30 at Fort Edmonton Park.

Edmonton-Leduc NDP: upcoming events

2011-04-24T22:28:00.002-06:00

Jack Layton coming to Edmonton-Leduc! Wednesday April 27th at 5:30 pm - join Jack, Artem and the other Edmonton NDP candidates at a BBQ at Fort Edmonton Park.
Artem and his team will be visiting various shopping malls and other public spaces in the riding throughout the next week. Daily itineraries posted on Artem's blog at http://artemmedv.blogspot.com
Attending all-party meeting organized by Muslim Association of Canada on Friday April 29th at 7:30 at former Lessard Mall (6102-172 Street).

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaigning Itinerary for Tuesday April 26th

2011-04-24T09:27:00.003-06:00

This Tuesday we are campaigning in Leduc!

Starting from Edmonton at 3 pm (meeting at Bear Mountain Cafe at Southgate).

Main Street Leduc - around 4 pm.

Corinthia Plaza

City Hall

Leduc Recreation Centre (LRC)

City Centre Shopping Mall

Sobey’s

Leduc Town Square

Shopping Centre across from City Centre

Return to Main Street Leduc

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaigning Itinerary for Monday April 25

2011-04-24T09:22:00.000-06:00

1 Terwillegar Recreation Centre - meeting at 10 am

2 Riverbend Library

3 Riverbend Square Shops

4 Rabbit Hill Road Sobeys

5 Rabbit Hill Road Shops

6 Westbrook Shopping Centre

7 Aspen Gardens Shopping Centre

8 Petrolia Shopping Centre

9 Confederation Recreation Centre

10 Duggan Shopping Centre

11 Whitemud Crossing Shopping Centre and Library

Edmonton-Leduc NDP Campaign diary, continued

2011-04-22T10:59:00.000-06:00

Dear friends,

With only a week till election day, the campaign needs your help like never before. We are seeing wonderful response and support in the community, but need to keep the momentum going.

1) We are organizing a series of meet-and-greet events for next week. Please check the campaign website www.artemmedvedev.ca later this weekend for details on times and locations and let me know ASAP if you would like to volunteer.

2) We are still in great need of phone and foot canvassers, as well as people to help with the signs. Either call me at 780-421-4821 or respond to this email if interested.

3) The two candidate forums went very well and drew good media attention in the riding, but we need your help spreading the word that recordings of parts of those forums are available online on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/artemNDP Also, if you know of events I should attend as candidate, please let me know - there are several events in planning stage, please consult with the website for information.

4) If you can donate to the campaign, please either donate online at https://secure.ndp.ca/riding/index.php?riding=48014&language=e or send a cheque written out to "Bohdan Harawymiw, Official Agent" to Bohdan Harasymiw, 5034 Whitemud Road, Edmonton AB T6H 5B1 or call 780-437-6629 to have your cheque picked up. Any help is deeply appreciated!

This has been a great 1,5 years of campaigning! Thanks for your help, everyone!

Artem Medvedev

Edmonton-Leduc NDP candidate

www.artemmedvedev.ca

780-421-4821

Second all-candidates forum in Edmonton-Leduc

2011-04-16T20:32:00.000-06:00

Tuesday April 19th at 7:30 pm: All-candidates forum at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church in Edmonton. See you there!

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Days 18, 19, 20, and 21

2011-04-16T12:53:00.000-06:00

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Days 14, 15, 16 and 17

2011-04-11T08:50:00.000-06:00

As you can see from the gap in posts, we've been really busy here in Edmonton-Leduc.

Canvassing efforts becoming more intense: more and more people want to engage in doorstep discussions and even debates, sometimes in groups. Great job on the part of several of our volunteers for keeping up-to-date on details of the NDP platform and Tory/Liberal performance stats. People are obviously impressed.
Our Volunteer Appreciation Night / Leaders Debates Watching Together Night is this Tuesday. Many thanks to Somayya and his family for hospitality.
First all-candidates forum in the riding coming up this Wednesday at 7 pm at Leduc Composite High School. See you there?
Signs from the Tory and Liberal candidates starting to pop up. We are still the most visible campaign in the riding, due to strategic placement at most visible locations. Actually had some problems with over-zealous volunteers on that front last week, but it's all good now. Enthusiasm is commendable.
Make sure to listen in to our radio show at 6:30 on Wednesday on LeducRadio.com . The same website/station will continue at 7 pm to broadcast audio and video live from the candidates forum. We will be recording some as well.

First Edmonton-Leduc candidates forum coming up!

2011-04-09T16:33:00.002-06:00

Wednesday April 13th at 7 pm: All-candidates forum at the Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts (Leduc Composite High School, 4308 - 50 Street in Leduc). See you there!

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Days 11, 12 and 13

2011-04-07T17:18:00.000-06:00

Too busy to write for the past few days.

Spoke for the NDP at an all-party (the Conservatives didn't attend without giving a reason) forum at Concordia University College. It's refreshing to see young people actively engaged in the political process, genuinely alarmed about the state of our democracy. Several questions: about early child education, green economy, Libya, small businesses, the need to vote. A big thank you to the organizers and all that attended.
We're having a sign blitz this Friday at 7 pm (meeting at Terwillegar Rec Centre front desk). Going to make our campaign much more visible!
Our website gets over 100 new visitors every day. We'll be over 3000 in April if the interest in our campaign keeps up.

Representing the NDP at an all-party forum this Thursday!

2011-04-05T20:01:00.002-06:00

Thursday April 7th at 11 am: Artem Medvedev participating on behalf of the NDP in an all-party forum in the Tegler area of Concordia University College in Edmonton.

I hope to see you there!
Artem

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Day 10

2011-04-04T19:57:00.000-06:00

Based on our active stage of pre-election canvassing so far, it's possible to single out the following groups among area voters:
A) Not home. Or home but not opening the door. This group further includes those with "Don't put stuff in our mailbox" signs. I would say this group is the more mysterious one, as we have no idea if/how they will vote in the May 2nd election.
B) Old supporters: People that brighten up the day of our canvassers with invitations to come in for a cup of tea, people asking us for signs and extra brochures to share with family and friends.
C) New supporters: former Tories who just can't make themselves vote Conservative this time around, former Liberals that cannot look at the "new" Red Book without smiling a little, former non-voters that see that Canadian democracy is at a turning point and voting really does matter
D) The undecided. A big group at this point, which will shrink more and more as we keep going. Many of these in our officially super-conservative riding are leaning towards the New Democrats. The phrase I hear most from this group is "Well, I'm definitely not for the Tories".
E) Liberal and Green supporters: certainly do exist, although many are complaining to us (for some reason) that they aren't seeing their local campaigns. Most of the people in this group are quite friendly, seeing the unifying goal of kicking James Rajotte out of here.
F) The biggest mystery of them all: Conservative voters. Slammed doors, "thank you, but no thank you"s, hand wavers and head shakers. I sincerely have no idea as to why anyone would want to vote Tory in this election, but we are seeing such responses too.

Don't ask me for percentage divisions into these groups. All I can say is that group A is quite large, which is a bit disappointing at times, but groups B and C are not only evident but clearly growing since the last election.

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Day 9

2011-04-03T16:57:00.000-06:00

About to leave for some more canvassing.

Sign placement is going well. If you live in the riding and would like to have a lawn sign, please let me know and we'll deliver it shortly.
I'm apparently the first (and so far only) federal candidate in Alberta to sign the pledge for civil elections (organized by an organization called exactly that)
I've signed the pledge to work to eliminate poverty in Canada
The all-party forum for this coming Thursday is now confirmed. Please check campaign website www.artemmedvedev.ca for details on this and other forums.
Still trying to find where the Edmonton Sun is putting the interview that they called for on Thursday morning.
The preliminary spending limit for candidates in the riding is just over $100,000. No further comment.
Both happy and unhappy that Friday April 15th is the last day of teaching for this term. More time for the campaign, yes, but I love BOTH politics and teaching, so this is not good, when you look at it.

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Day 8

2011-04-02T16:17:00.000-06:00

What? He has time to blog in the middle of the day?!
Just unsure if I'll get to my computer after returning from canvassing tonight.

Sign placement is going quite well. Of course, the hardened ground and the icy snowbanks and the dirty puddles make the work of the signs team more enjoyable than desirable, but this is why our whole campaign team applauds everyone participating in this exercise.
I may be speaking at an all-party forum organized at Concordia University College of Alberta this coming Thursday April 7th. Don't have any details so far, but I think this would definitely be a fun and informative experience.
Seeing a drop in emails and phone calls on Friday, I was shocked! I will have to take a few weeks vacation when the election is done =) Campaignoholic...
Was in Linda Duncan's riding today - see of orange and green. We'll get there too!
I'm now officially confirmed as a candidate by the Returning Officer - my Official Agent, Bohdan, will be picking up a box of materials (and apparently also a CD - any guesses? music? vintage computer games?) from their office on Monday.

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Days 5, 6 and 7

2011-04-01T10:29:00.000-06:00

Was too busy to write for the past few days, and have a lot to report:

We now have a Campaign Manager. Thanks for your help, Aaron!
The number of volunteers and sign locations is growing almost hourly. Let's keep it rolling, people!
The website hits a new record number of visitors every day. We went to almost 700 visitors in March overall. The number of people Googling for information on the campaign and the riding.
Two candidate forums are being scheduled. I will post information on the website shortly.
Was interviewed by the Edmonton Sun yesterday. Look out for something covering our riding within the next little while.
We are running an an in the Edmonton Senior with the tagline "Pensions or Prisons?"
This afternoon, our riding association president, Bob, and I are going to the Elections Canada RO to submit nomination signatures and finish up all the formalities.
New pictures were posted on our Flickr page.
If you have some time to contribute, please contact me!

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Day 4

2011-03-29T20:58:00.000-06:00

Day 4 of the election campaign was, as all the previous ones, successful and busy.

I conducted canvassing training for 2 new volunteers, both of whom are an excellent addition to our team. Welcome, Jay and Brad!
Canvassing today brought several fence-sitters over to the NDP side. People most unhappy about the Tory-Liberal corporate tax cuts, the state of health care, access to education, and taxation. Many looked surprised to see an NDP candidate at their doorstep. A recurrent phrase - "Well, I'm certainly not a Conservative!" Sounds good to me =)
Sign placement has started, although we are still trying to figure out an apparent City of Edmonton bylaw that prevents us from putting signs on public property for the next few days. What is funny is that after we had placed just a handful of signs someone left me a message "I just saw your sign! Cool!"
Several candidate forums appear to be in the works. I will publish more details when I have them.
Our Twitter account went over 700 followers, surpassing a few more Liberal and Conservative MPs and candidates. We are just getting started! The Twitter account can be accessed by clicking on the Twitter badge on the right side of the screen.
The campaign website partly crashed when 25 people tried to access it at the same moment. Problem fixed now.
New pictures put on our Flickr account, several new additions are from the campaign launch with Jack Layton this past Saturday. The Flickr account can be easily accessed by clicking on the Flickr badge to the right of this message.
As always, looking for more volunteers and sign locations!

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Day 3

2011-03-28T18:26:00.000-06:00

Have half an hour before the team starts assembling for our first meeting during the actual campaign (we've had numerous meetings since nomination, of course). The day so far has been quite good:

I made a brief statement and answered several questions at a public forum held at the University of Alberta. Thanks to the organizers and to Rachel Notley for inviting me and for this opportunity to address the questions of students. I'm also grateful to several people tweeting at the event and to Aditya Rao for even putting a picture online while I was still talking: http://ow.ly/i/9FuI . I was teaching a class within an hour of the event's start time and so had to leave early, but this was certainly a great experience.
As I returned, I discovered messages about a media opportunity, two donations and several new volunteers waiting for me.
The team meeting starting shortly will deal with volunteer direction to work more than actual volunteer recruitment for the first time. We have a number of really dedicated people anxious to get into battle and they will have every opportunity of doing so immediately!
Of course, the campaign still needs your support. Signs and ads and leaflets are not cheap - if you can donate, please either write a cheque to "Edmonton-Leduc NDP" and mail it to 14719-51 Ave NW Edmonton AB T6H 5E6 or go to this link https://secure.ndp.ca/riding/index.php?riding=48014&language=e to donate online with a credit card. Volunteers are needed as well! Please contact me for details.

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Day 2

2011-03-27T22:39:00.000-06:00

Had an interesting and fruitful day today.

Organized a short canvassing training session for a few volunteers in the morning, then canvassed for 4.5 hours. Several new sign locations identified, several signatures added to our Elections Canada documentation (we should be ready to march down to their office in Edmonton by Thursday at the latest), several very nice supporters found.
Had a rather lengthy doorstep discussion with an undecided voter in the Greenfield area - he had questions about health care, pension reform, childcare, taxation, Tory "hospitality" expenses - and left with definite support for the NDP and a sign location on a major street.
At the very end of the canvass, talked to a former Conservative supporter who said that he "just cannot force himself to vote Tory this time around". Music...
New volunteers identified in Edmonton, Leduc and Devon. Sign placement to activate tomorrow.

Edmonton-Leduc NDP campaign diary, Day 1 going to Day 2

2011-03-27T10:15:00.000-06:00

At the suggestion of one of my volunteers, Aaron, I will try and use the blog as a means of sharing step by step, day by day information about how our campaign here in Edmonton-Leduc is progressing starting with the writ drop and until election day. Don't expect this to be punctual (as this very first post shows), as of course the work on the ground will take precedence to my blog.

Day 1:

Getting numerous calls/emails/Facebook and Twitter notes from people interested in volunteering for the campaign. Responding takes some time, but I try to keep it is personal as I can, therefore no "Thank you for your email, someone will get back to you", of course.
Signatures for Elections Canada are almost 100% ready, I think we have 10 to go, so should be ready to go and submit those papers within the next week.
Our signs are arriving and the Signs Director, Al, is putting together a solid team to have a lot of those out in the next 10 days. Of course, the snow and the ice would make the sign placement an exercise of great resilience and strength...
Canvassing effort continues at a high level. Of course, we need more phone and foot canvassers, so let me know if you are available.
Jack Layton launched our campaign at a very well-attended rally at the Art Gallery of Alberta. One phrase that really sunk in was "Stephen Harper must have decided that if he broke one promise, he might as well break the rest of them." To the point.
The day concluded with a short meeting with new and old volunteers discussing strategy.

Day 2:

The day is just starting, but I may have no chance of writing again till Monday.
A large group assembling today at noon for a major canvassing effort. We'll start with a training session for those new to canvassing and direct voter contact.
The website shows a record number of people (70) coming to our website in just one day. With this kind of exponential growth we'll be up to several hundred people by May 2nd.
Twitter account keeps attracting more people as well, having just passed a couple of MPs in popularity. Will try to keep it interesting =)
Of course, as expected, the thoughts of "have I done enough in the pre-election campaign?" are attacking my brain viciously. Reassuring words from family and friends getting me back on track. Thanks, everyone!

Some ideas for Mr. Ignatieff

2011-03-24T10:06:00.001-06:00

Okay, so Mr. Ignatieff seems to be searching for a good metaphor and not finding it, so proceeding to the next one. It used to be those boutique parties, now it's the "red door and blue door - there is no other choice" variant. First of all, of course, this brings up the whole Matrix moment of "red pill vs. blue pill", as multiple people have already noted (the first one I caught was Christopher White here in Edmonton). If that's an image Mr. Ignatieff wanted to invoke, I'm still trying to grasp it - this may be deep... The words "red door" actually got me thinking of a fire exit, while "blue door" reminded of the "house with a blue door" in "Notting Hill" (gosh, that was a while ago now). Again, the comparison is strange and doesn't seem to work. I cannot take this any longer so here is a list of a few suggestions for Mr. I. to use, that could work just as well or even better (in no particular order):

1) "You can like pizza or you can like coffee - you cannot like both nor can you like anything else": this may add that down-to-earth component to Mr.I's image.

2) "You can be 5 feet tall or 6 feet tall - these are your only options": may narrow down the electorate a bit, but worth trying out as well.

3) "There are buses and then there are spaceships - decide!": may ring a bell with both the transit and the space exploration communities, which will definitely appreciate the attention.

4) "Toronto or Yellowknife - no other places to live in": may help with the whole 'GTA liking Liberals less' question.

5) "Orange door or green door": sounds familiar, but no less fact-based and interesting, so why not give it a try as well?

6) "Good vs. Evil: choose wisely": sets the bar a bit high, but is doable, resolves the dichotomy once and for all.

This can go on forever, but you get my point. Explore! Discover! Surprise us!

Are you sure this is an actual budget?

2011-03-22T17:44:00.000-06:00

Looking at the so-called "federal budget" the Tories had made public today, I can't but wonder if they've mistakenly released some joke version or inside version that had never been intended to be seen by Canadians. Some of the points made in this "budget", such as the "increased support" for seniors in poverty and the one-year revival of the EcoEnergy program, are, simply put, cynical and clearly showing how little Stephen Harper and his party care as to what people say. But now that they've released this joke of a budget, I really hope that people will say something very soon and throw this contemptuous gang and its anti-social ideology out.

Do you believe in democracy?

2011-03-18T09:51:00.002-06:00

Let's throw this "government" out!

2011-03-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to everyone who has contacted me in the past few days with a common message of "How long can we keep the Harper government in power?!" Believe me, if it were only up to me, it wouldn't have been long before the Tories would have had to stand up before Canadian voters and finally answer the main question - how can you pretend to have Canadian values at heart when you care nothing for democracy, honesty or even decency? It is high time for Stephen Harper and all of his acolytes to go. Our political and social system can withstand a lot of harm (and has already suffered in the hands of the current ~~Canadian~~ Harper Government), but there is a limit. The Tories are way beyond that limit. Just to think of it - a ~~Canadian~~ Harper Prime-Minister saying "You win some, you lose some" in response to the Parliament Speaker's ruling that his government may be in contempt of Parliament (and through it, in contempt of Canadians)...

Another letter to the Edmonton Sun

2011-03-01T15:47:00.002-07:00

Dear editor,

Your "un-electable candidates" and "unrealistic alternatives" discourse reveals more about your ideological stance than you might think. Tell the people in Linda Duncan's riding and the people of Manitoba and Nova Scotia that they didn't elect NDP and explain to them why.You cannot fool all the people all the time. Social-democracy is more popular, more realistic and more electable than the Tories, Liberals and Edmonton Sun want us to believe.

Artem Medvedev

Edmonton-Leduc

A letter to the Edmonton Sun

2011-02-27T09:44:00.003-07:00

Dear editor(s),

It seems that the Letters to the Editor section isn't used by you appropriately.

First of all, many letters appear to be edited in such a fashion that sentences no longer make any sense grammatically or meaning-wise.

Secondly, your comments following each letter leave much to be desired in terms of reader-friendly and objective journalism. Just recently, you wrote in response to my letter regarding Harper's Orwellian hypocricy in the Bev Oda case that "the NDP are an anachronism, not a realistic alternative". Fortunately, the 2,5 million Canadians that supported New Democrats in 2008 didn't share this view. If saying something against governmental fraud and lies is an anachronism to you, perhaps you should consider a career change.

Artem Medvedev

Edmonton-Leduc NDP

I need your help, people!

2011-02-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is a shameless call for volunteers sent out by means of the blog. Blame me if you need to, but first - please join our team here in Edmonton-Leduc. You don't need to be actually living here, as there are a lot of projects, such as research and online media help, that we could use a hand in. You don't have to spend a lot of time on the campaign - even an hour a week would be appreciated. You don't even have to be a 100% NDP supporter - just a positive person wishing to make a difference.

The list of available work is not exhausted by the following:

canvassers
phone canvassers
volunteer recruiters
advertising director
canvassing director
online media helpers
researchers
area contacts
literature distributors
designers
webmaster

Please email me at amedvedev@ualberta.ca , call me at 780-421-4821 or contact me through Facebook or Twitter. I look forward to hearing from you!
Artem Medvedev, NDP Candidate for Edmonton-Leduc
www.artemmedvedev.ca

Well said, Mr. Dobbin

2011-02-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

I don't remember the last time I had read something online that struck me as so well-phrased and well-argumented: http://rabble.ca/columnists/2011/01/message-pre-election-ndp-trust-people-be-bold-take-risk
The way to move us from apathy of the most and activism by a few to a truly open democratic society indicated here is clear. Let's be bold, let's be different, let's win, friends!

Are there really "losers" in a democracy?

2011-01-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Harper's constant "loser parties" discourse, repeated once again this week in the 5-year-summary interview for CBC, really got me thinking whether he understands how a parliamentary democracy is supposed to work (no doubt, he does understand how he makes it work for his and his banks/corporations advantage).
Does a party really "win" if they get less than half of the votes? To follow the same line of thought, does the party really "win" if it gets 100% minus 1 vote? I'm really sorry for Stephen Harper (and Michael Ignatieff, for that matter), as one day the truth will manifest itself to them, the fact that unless we are in a 2-party system or a 1-party system, both of which are made specifically for those rulers and groups that cannot stand to be called or considered "losers", there are, actually, no "losers" in a truly democratic and equal and fair parliamentary system. A party that gets 1% of the vote is a winner as much as the party that gets 45% or, however unlikely, 60%.
If each Canadian's vote is of equal value and we all build this country together, then why would the opinions expressed by groups be evaluated only on the basis of numbers, percentages, seats?

Civilized political discourse is still possible

2011-01-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

With the persistent Harper-Ignatieff "coalition partners" and "boutique parties" discourse picking up within their parties and splashing over into the language of the media, it is difficult to see a different way in which we could hold discussions of what is happening to Canada and how we see the steps necessary in the future. It seems sometimes that this Us vs. Them or Us vs. Losers or Liberal vs. Boutique or Tory vs. Non-Canadians discourse is the only way to go. The reasons for that are understandable - it's easy to split the world into dichotomies that don't really ring true and don't really last, but work for the beauty of one's phraseology or the value of one's self-appreciation. Harper and Ignatieff's tragedy is, perhaps, that they appear to honestly (erm... what's the word? "Sincerely"? No, that's not it either...) think that this kind of kindergarten talk in politics does them and their parties a favor or that it's even good for Canada. I beg to differ. Yes, with these two bully-like individuals around it's becoming increasingly tough to stay within the boundaries of civilized, respectful, reasonable conversation. Does that mean we should all give up trying?

What do you get when you vote for Ignatieff, Mr. Ignatieff?

2010-12-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

In his wonderful quote on "If you vote for Elizabeth May, you get Stephen Harper, if you vote for Jack Layton, you get Stephen Harper etc.", Michael Ignatieff appears to be out of touch with the feeling even within his own party that if Canadians really did vote for party leaders and not for individual MPs, the Liberal party would face a disaster even worse than in the previous election, judging by the fact that the majority of Canadians and even the majority of Liberals want Ignatieff out.
The arrogance of Ignatieff's new "boutique parties" discourse is akin to Harper's "you can't beat me so you're stuck with me" general line. Maybe it's time to send both of them into political retirement, so they can continue this kindergarten battle outside of the public arena.

Discussing WikiLeaks, the Tory stimulus plan, and other issues on Leduc Radio

2010-12-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to your feedback on last week's radio show here in Edmonton-Leduc. If you have ideas for future shows/guests, please contact me.

What do you call this without swearing?

2010-11-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

Taking into account the fact that the Afghan government has the dubious prestige of being repeatedly named one of the three most corrupt governments in the world, what are the Tories and the Liberals prepared to send Canadian troops to do?

If Rick Mercer is an accurate source, then Laurie Hawn just said that Canadian soldiers will be so safe in Aghanistan they won't need flak jackets. Are you aware of what exactly you are saying, Mr. Hawn? Do you have any idea of what you'll do if proven wrong? Disgusting.

When you go on air, they will listen in

2010-11-04T15:56:00.000-06:00

The number of listeners tuning in to our weekly show on Leduc Radio has been increasing with each week and has been well above the 500 mark since end of August. Many thanks to everyone making this show a success!

Candidate's Annual Report

2010-10-28T23:00:00.003-06:00

Dear all,

It has been a full year of our campaign for positive change here in Edmonton-Leduc, and I would like to sincerely thank you for your support.

In the past 12 months, among other things:

1) Numerous public meetings were organized throughout the riding, including all three municipalities. Topics varied from access to education to international affairs to hunger in Alberta. More events are coming up, so please stay tuned. The best source for updates is the campaign website at www.artemmedvedev.ca . Regular updates are also made on the campaign Twitter account, ArtemNDP.

2) A door-knocking and literature-distribution campaign was successfully started. We are constantly looking for new ideas for the brochure, as well as volunteers to adopt an area throughout the campaign. The contents of the current brochure are reflected on the front page of the campaign website.

3) A weekly radio show was started on Leduc Radio in August and has proven a very good way to get the message out. The show runs every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7 pm MST and can be listened to online at www.leducradio.com . Recordings of several previous shows are available on our website. I welcome your feedback and ideas for future shows/guests.

While it is still unclear when the next federal election may be, I would like to encourage you to get involved in the campaign. I believe that we are on the right track, but we cannot afford to slow down, which is why we need volunteers to design and distribute literature, write letters, arrange events and meetings, assist in communication work, move our online presence forward and conduct research. If you have any time at all, please contact me. I appreciate any help you can provide. The various ways you can contribute to the campaign are listed in the "Volunteer" and "Donate" sections of the website.

Once again, thank you for your kind support. I look forward to hearing from you! All of my contact information is shown below. Please feel free to forward this update as you see fit.

Regards,

Artem Medvedev

NDP Candidate for the federal riding of Edmonton-Leduc

Website: www.artemmedvedev.ca

Phone: 780-421-4821

Email: amedvedev@ualberta.ca

Mail: 14719-51 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 5E6

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=291910090444&ref=ts and http://www.facebook.com/artem.medvedev

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArtemNDP

For the ugly experiment's validity

2010-10-25T15:27:00.000-06:00

What would happen, if one put a regular Canadian or regular American or a representative of any other nationality through 8 years of torture, interrogation, hopelessness, and abandonment by their own government? Would that person eventually break and "confess" anything, just to try and end their misery?

As a human being, I cannot see any normal way in which a person can go from A) adamantly stressing that he will not enter into any bargains with an illegal "court" as such a bargain would legitimize the process that he was put through, to B) lowering his head and saying "yes" to every accusation thrown at him.

After all, this has all happened before. Milkmaids and schoolchildren had "confessed" that they had been plotting to kill Hitler. Hard-line communists had "confessed" to a Stalinist "court" that they were really monarchists trying to overthrow the regime. Christians had "confessed" that they erred in their beliefs in Roman "courts".

I have no idea whether Omar Khadr is or isn't guilty, but that's not the point. The point is that the thin line separating Guantanamo from totalitarian butcher-shop court-marshals is no longer clear. Shame on Obama for failing to live up to his promises! Shame on Harper for serving as a willing accomplice to such a disgrace! For humanity to have apparently gone a long way from the justice of the stone age and feudalism and then to throw it all away is a disaster that will linger with us for decades.

Liberals plagiarize NDP platform ideas... What else is new?

2010-10-17T23:42:00.000-06:00

The blatant arrogance with which Ignatieff and his party can take the New Democrat ideas of focusing on the middle-class recovery, not allowing any more corporate tax cuts, and working to protect public health care in Canada and put their ubiquitous huge red tent on top of them would have been breathtaking if this behavior wasn't so expected. What is the Liberal program today? Where is that party going? Destined to rule Canada, eh? Oh, well, then nothing can stand in your way, guys. In the academic world, plagiarism is a serious offense. Wasn't Michael Ignatieff supposed to be related to the academia? Why does stealing other people's ideas not cause an outrage anymore? If this is genuine leadership...

Discussing current issues with Angela Vardy, Edmonton Chapter chair, Council of Canadians

2010-10-14T21:15:00.002-06:00

Looking forward to your feedback on the latest radio show here in Edmonton-Leduc. File at www.artemmedvedev.ca

Discussing Tory math problems and Liberal plagiarism on live radio

2010-10-08T12:09:00.000-06:00

I look forward to your comments on this week's radio show (www.artemmedvedev.ca). No co-host or guest this week, but I hope that the topics and numbers discussed will be of interest to you.

Artem

News and Views with Artem Medvedev, NDP Candidate for Edmonton-Leduc, Sept. 15

2010-09-19T18:18:00.000-06:00

The 5th radio show file is uploaded at www.artemmedvedev.ca. What's behind the Long Gun Registry frenzy and my views on the current economic situation. Will appreciate your feedback!

The views of one federal NDP candidate, continued

2010-09-04T16:09:00.000-06:00

Our show on Leduc Radio (now called "News & Views") is into the 4th week now! Thanks to everyone for feedback and support. The recording of the 2nd show is available online at www.artemmedvedev.ca. The 3rd show will be posted soon as well. Among topics discussed are the Long Gun Registry, the Liberal caucus retreat, Harper's tour of the North, the state of economy, and others.

The views of one federal NDP candidate, unedited

2010-08-22T12:29:00.001-06:00

This past Wednesday, we've started a 2-month trial of a weekly radio show for Edmonton-Leduc NDP. The recording of the first show is online at www.artemmedvedev.ca.
As neither I personally nor the riding association have ever engaged in anything like this before, we would really appreciate your feedback and input.
Either leave a comment here or email me at artemmedvedev@ndp.ca
Thanks in advance!

Starting a new online ad campaign for Edmonton-Leduc NDP

2010-08-08T10:13:00.000-06:00

A great achievement for BP?

2010-07-16T21:59:00.000-06:00

While my car was being fixed this morning, I was sitting in the auto service lounge and watching, of all things, CNN (which I watch for about 5 minutes every 3 months as my car gets new oil). Another man was sitting close by and watching with interest as the news of BP finally managing to temporarily halt oil going into the Mexican Gulf was discussed. "Just imagine what they can do all the way down deep in the ocean!" - he exclaimed. I tried to respond with something along the lines of "If they hadn't been so sloppy in the first place, this operation wouldn't have been necessary", but I don't think that's what he wanted to hear. Just imagine - a great technological achievement, plugging an oil well deep in the ocean!

I just hope, with all my heart, that what has been happening in the Gulf for the past 3 months will not go down in history as a victory. Yes, a lot of people are doing their best now to end the crisis. Yes, if new oil finally stops getting out into the Gulf, it will be excellent news. But no, this is not the main point nor should it be.

When were the Queen's remarks on Canada written?

2010-07-02T19:11:00.000-06:00

Although I'm not a huge fan of "the divine right to govern" nor the fact that Canada is ruled by a person who is not a Canadian citizen, I've always liked the current monarch as a seemingly approachable and friendly person. This being said, I'm still in utter confusion in regards to her remarks on Canada Day about Canada being "a caring home for its own, a sanctuary for others and an example to the world".

I mean, really?! Four days after what happened in Toronto?

Engaging youth in the democratic process: responses in a short interview

2010-06-18T19:24:00.000-06:00

The following are my answers prepared for a short interview conducted as part of a course project by a Leduc school student.

1.) Do you see a problem in the democracy we have in Canada, where only 50-60% of eligible voters vote? Explain.
As you’ve correctly mentioned in your question, there is definitely a problem with low voter participation, but I wouldn’t say that it’s the core issue at play here. There are two issues that, to my mind, build up a serious crisis of the democratic system in Canada. First of all, there is a great disconnect between federal politics and federal politicians and the rest of Canada. Much of the time, politics is filled with discussions that are difficult to follow, language that is hard to understand, and issues that don’t always strike home for the voters. This makes many people annoyed and eventually disinterested in politics. The second major issue is the fact that our electoral system disregards the votes of millions of Canadians. The first-past-the-post system that we have is similar to the first-come-first-served system. If you’d voted for the candidate that came first, then your vote is important. If your candidate came one vote behind the leader, then the system couldn’t care less for your vote. As a result, we now have a federal government elected by 15% of the population. These issues together bring about political apathy and low voter turnout.

2.) Why do you believe Alberta has essentially only elected Conservative MP’s for the past 30+ years?
Well, one of the reasons is the undemocratic electoral system that I mentioned just now: in our riding of Edmonton-Leduc, the Conservative MP was elected in 2008 with 33,000 votes – there are over 100,000 voters living here. Another reason is that over almost half a century people in Alberta are being told again and again that this is Conservative country, that this is a Tory stronghold, that no one else stands a chance. If someone tells you something for decades, you might as well believe it. But I think that the situation is going to change. A very hopeful sign is the election of Linda Duncan in Edmonton-Strathcona. The Tories are visibly losing ground in other ridings in the province as well. In South-West Edmonton, in Leduc, in Devon, when I go door-knocking or when we organize public events, there are always new people that come up to me and say “Thank you for showing that the Conservative ideology is not the only one, that we have a choice.”

3.) When did you first start getting into politics? Why?
I first got into politics when I was 15.5 years old. I had just graduated from school, when I found out that the government of the region I was living in at the time had decided to build an oil refinery inside a protected area. That’s when I went right into battle to do my best to prevent this from happening.

4.) What did you do when you first started getting into politics?
At the time, I was helping local environmental and human-rights groups with leafleting, door-knocking, organizing events. We also created human chains to stop construction from starting. In the end, the local government backed down. The natural protected area is still there.

5.) Why did you join the political party you are now going to run for?
I have been with the New Democratic Party of Canada since 2006. I was doing my MA at the time and my field of research is actually political discourse, the language of political parties and leaders. The language, if you look at it closely, can reveal a lot about a person or a group. When I listened to or read Conservative and Liberal speeches and press releases, I felt that these parties do not stand for the values that I hold, they contained a lot of self-congratulation for the work well done, whereas those prepared by New Democrats were about real problems and real challenges faced by Canadians, such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, unemployment, the cost of university education, quality of health care services etc.

6.) What motivated you to run for MP?
My basic answer is that it’s the best way to get to know your neighborhood. But seriously, when I moved to this riding, all I could hear about local politics was that this was a Tory wasteland and nothing anyone did would ever change that. When someone tells me that something cannot be done no matter how hard one tries, I don’t believe it. It’s just like the favorite Conservative lie about the New Democrats – “They will never form government”. The people of British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia have shown that it is not true, but the lie keeps going. Change is possible if you really try. I believe that Canada needs change from the arrogance and short-sightedness governing us now and that is why I initially sought nomination as NDP candidate in Edmonton-Leduc.

7.) Do you or your party have any plans to change the downward trend of eligible voters voting in Canadian elections?
Yes. The first step is opening wide debate about changing the electoral system so that the voice of a New Democrat or Liberal in this and other ridings is worth as much as the vote for the Conservative Party. I personally favor proportional representation, in which each party gets the same percentage of seats as the popular vote. The second step is making politics interesting again – greater accessibility of our elected representatives, making recall of MPs and MLAs possible, changing the way that political discussions are structured so that the language and the issues are closer to real life.

8.) What can a young voter do to be engaged with Canadian politics?
There are a lot of ways to get involved. You can organize events to discuss current issues. Write to your local newspaper when something is close to your heart. Participate as a volunteer in a candidate’s campaign. Write a blog on how decisions in Ottawa affect you and your family and friends. Most importantly, encourage people you talk to to vote, and once you are 18, you can vote as well.

Putting the Tories on probation again? Really?

2010-06-15T16:38:00.000-06:00

Whenever anyone representing the Liberal Party of Canada says that they will be "vigilant", "alert", "hyper-attentive", "bluh bluh bluh" etc., I at once remember the historic decision made by Ignatieff et al. to let the previous Conservative budget slip by them and thereby kill the attempted coalition of opposition parties by "putting this government of probation". We all know what that "probation" lead to and how much it good it brought Canada and Canadians and the Liberal Party of Canada.

Last week, the Liberals have vigilantly passed another Tory budget, marking the 100th time they had supported a major piece of anti-social and anti-common-sense legislation. This week, they have alertly put a big "X" across the Afghan detainee documents issue by hyper-attentively agreeing to a deal that would likely lead to these documents being released to no one and the truth being known by no one.

I just wanted to say, Mr. Ignatieff, you and your friends can keep playing this "probation" game, but I'm sure Canadians, including liberals, have grown tired of listening to Liberal explanations on why the official opposition party is opposition only in its official title and why you let the Tory minority rule as few majorities govern elsewhere.

What is the Liberal position on electoral reform?

2010-06-12T22:39:00.000-06:00

We had a very enjoyable discussion on political reform in Edmonton today. Senate reform, Parliament reform and electoral reform were the main items touched upon. As the electoral reform was being discussed, several participants of our forum brought forward the idea that every party in Canada needs to declare its position on this topic prior to the next federal election and should also provide a specific plan on what it would do to realize this position.

As a representative of the NDP at the meeting, I stated that the New Democrats support electoral reform to make every vote count and that some form of proportional representation was probably the way to go. The Greens, as far as I understand, have a similar viewpoint on the need for electoral reform. As correctly noted by one of the people today, Tories would be the last party to ask to support electoral reform, as they are quite satisfied with the first-come-first-served (aka first-past-the-post) system. But what is the position of the Liberals? Is there a centralized viewpoint on this among them?

I personally think that before any talk of a coalition between the parties can be started, this needs to be cleared up. Electoral reform may well be the uniting or separating factor in the next federal election. With every new election when the issue of making each vote equal is swept under the rug, the injustice is perpetuated further, damaging our democracy and turning people away from taking any interest in politics.

"I'm sure there are a lot of New Democrats who are getting fed up with their fate."

2010-06-09T18:59:00.000-06:00

Ever since I saw this quote from Warren Kinsella, I've been wondering what he had meant, if anything. What fate is it that New Democrats are to be fed up with?

Gaining seats and popular support with each election? Demonstrating full ability to govern, to take responsibility for complex decisions, to find compromise and work with other political forces? If there is a meaning to this phrase I'm not seeing it. I, for one, am proud to be a New Democrat and a federal candidate for the party.

If there is anything I'm fed up with it's the Liberal circus of being voted into the House of Commons as Liberals but voting as Tories ever since.

What kind of news do people watch/read/listen to?

2010-06-07T18:59:00.001-06:00

In the past week, I've really started to wonder what kind of news sources the majority of my neighbors here in Edmonton-Leduc and throughout Canada have. I'm dreading the end of the week and then the end of the month when new poll results will come out, probably showing Tories still in the lead. "How can it be?" - I will wonder yet again.

But really, how can it? In the past week, the following news items have come up repeatedly:

1 billion dollars ~~wasted~~ spent on G8/G20 security alone
Political staffers and aids to ministers no longer permitted to testify before Parliamentary inquiries and panels
Three Tory ministers came uninvited to a Parliamentary hearing and acted as self-assured bullies
Canada is one of a very small number of countries in the world that appears to see little or nothing wrong in military attacks against civilian vessels in international waters
Each and every speech, presentation, answer, phone call, event etc. organized by anyone linked to the federal government may first need to be vetted by PMO
Millions of dollars spend on "infrastructure" projects "linked" to G8/G20 but nowhere in proximity of the two summits
And, last (for now), 2 million dollars are being spent on making an artificial show-off lake (aka "Harper's Folly") in Toronto

Reading either one of this gets one uneasy or troubled or puzzled or at least curious as to what the federal government is doing to our economy and our democracy. Why not?

ADDITION: I may be wrong in my pessimism! Hurray! NDP at 20.7%.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0721079820100607

A letter to the Edmonton Examiner

2010-06-04T17:25:00.002-06:00

The political cartoon published in the June 2 issue of the Examiner demonstrates clear disregard and lack of a knowledge base regarding the New Democratic Party of Canada. A quick glance at electoral results from the past decade demonstrates that the NDP has attracted 1.5 million new supporters since election 2000 and was the party of choice of 2.5 million people in the last federal election. During the same time period, the Liberals had less and less support with each election. Poll after poll has shown that Canadians recognize Jack Layton's great capacity as a national leader at a time when our democratic institutions and basic values are put to a test by an arrogant and short-sighted minority government.
I would have expected negation of the voices of millions of Canadians from a reactionary paper. Until this week, I had no idea Edmonton Examiner was one.

Artem Medvedev
Edmonton-Leduc NDP

On hysterics and circus at parliamentary committees

2010-06-02T22:33:00.000-06:00

To my mind, anyone, be it a government official or a mischievous child, screaming and otherwise actively and inappropriately drawing attention at a parliamentary committee is a strange and undesirable event. But to have three Tory ministers come to a parliamentary committee (to which they were not invited on that particular day) and start a childish show of arrogance and disrespect for others - that's not really describable through regular English. Is growing up at some point in time at least a vague plan for the current federal leadership?

More than half a year of being a federal candidate. Edmonton-Leduc AGM coming up.

2010-05-15T21:11:00.000-06:00

Someone asked me today how long it has been since my nomination as the NDP federal candidate here in Edmonton-Leduc. I remember that for the first few months I kept count, but now that it's more than 6 months since October 29, 2009, I seem to have given up that habit. A lot has changed for me since that day, and I'm sure that the upcoming months will bring even more change. The main thing that has changed for me personally is the number of people I know and that know my (at least first) name. Another is the time spent online and the distribution of time between email, social networks, and reading news.

Another is the formation of a certain new life structure in some situations. For example, a visit to a farmers' market used to be just casual, now there might be someone who comes up and asks "Aren't you the NDP guy in Leduc?" or says "Sorry, are we friends on Facebook?" The latter is my campaign's unofficial motto =) which kind of shows the peculiar nature of online social networking - there are some people whom I know quite well in person but who aren't my online friends, and vice versa.

Going to Banff early tomorrow morning. No politics - just a day in the mountains. And then comes a new week, with only 10 days to go until our AGM on the 26th. Preparing a speech, of course.

On 65th anniversary of Victory in Europe

2010-05-09T12:53:00.001-06:00

As the world celebrates the 65th anniversary of Victory in Europe and remembers the sacrifices made to defeat Nazism, it is with great interest that I look at the results of a recent poll (http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/804923--liberate-europe-defeat-hitler-no-thanks-younger-canadians-say), which shows both great respect for the veterans and a growing reluctance to take their place should need arise. Apparently, the younger the respondent was, the more likely he or she would have been in need of persuasion before taking part in a war against Hitler.

Any thoughts on this?

Syncrude alleges that ducks committed mass suicide?

2010-04-30T19:32:00.000-06:00

It's with a sigh of relief that I've read today that the case against Syncrude in the murder of 1600 ducks at their tailings pond will stand. But, come to think of it, how does a brain work if it can even hypothetically suggest that it isn't the ducks that got killed, but the pond that got stained with the ducks that illegally landed on it?

Collective leadership

2010-04-28T07:25:00.000-06:00

A constituent asked me a few days ago why none of the federal parties take a step towards real collective leadership, i.e. why each has a specific one person designated as the party leader. In the opinion of the constituent, collective leadership may be the way to go, as there is a greater chance that each of the members of the collective will appeal to some part of the demographic. Any ideas on this?

Door-knocking outside of an election

2010-04-24T19:36:00.000-06:00

Dear readers,
I was wondering if you could provide your thoughts on the subject of canvassing and door-knocking outside of an actual election. The word I've been getting both while engaging in these activities and also in talks with politically savvy and non-savvy individuals is rather confusing. I would say it's about half and half for "If a candidate doesn't show up at my door at some point before the election, then I won't support them" and "I don't want to be bothered". The latter option, of course, also includes those that don't want to be bothered at their homes at all. I'm being torn by these two trends of thought. Any advice/comments?

Political friendship doesn't last forever?

2010-04-23T20:29:00.000-06:00

Isn't it amazing how readily Conservative MPs and reps now join in accusations against their former colleagues? The readiness and vigor with which they do it makes one wonder how far (or how high) the string of similar (alleged) behavior really goes. Importantly, it can go both ways, of course - the energy can be a sign of complicity or a sign of sincere (?) shock at the wrongdoings of others. Which one is it?..