Fall 2016/Winter 2017

Presidential NotesDEAR FELLOW LIBERALS,

Since I last wrote, we hosted a successful Annual General Meeting and the membership elected a fantastic group of individuals to make up the Executive Committee of our local Federal Liberal Association here in Wellington-Halton Hills. This group is tasked

with the operations of our Association, raising funds to support the next election, fi nding a suitable candidate, and ultimately preparing us for a successful federal election.

So far this year we have held several socials and have been developing numerous plans – membership, election readiness, events, etc. – to direct our focus in the lead up to 2019. I am incredibly thankful for this team and all of the hard work they are doing to foster a stronger Liberal presence in our riding.

Within our Executive Committee we have a group known as the Table Offi cers. These individuals meet on a regular basis and act as a management board for the larger team. Working alongside me are: Drew Leverette (Executive VP, Election Readiness), Melanie Flake (VP, Membership), Carol Lawson (VP, Fundraising), Ben Manshanden (VP, Policy), Connell Smith (Treasurer), and Barb Brown (General Secretary, Events Chair).

In addition, there is a great group of Directors who have taken on specifi c tasks: Ann Lawlor (Communications Chair), Mariam Rajabali (Youth Chair), Frank Tersigni (Ottawa Liaison), and Peter van Vloten (Deputy VP, Election Readiness).

Directors-at-large are working hard within the six municipalities of our riding: Cindy Blades, Ken Crozier, Alice Hewitt, Shirley Little, Lakshman Maheswaran, Bonnie McEachern, Sharon O’Driscoll, Benjamin Prinsen, and Mary Lou Trant.

Thank you also to past Directors George Henderson, Fred Mooney and Aileen Mair for their service with our Association.

In conclusion, I thank our current Executive for all of their hard work. As registered liberals with the Liberal Party of Canada, all of us around the table are committed to our shared progressive values, vision and raising our profi le publicly.

I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and please be sure to visit our website at www.WHHFLA.ca where you can fi nd contact information, ways you can keep in touch and volunteer opportunities.

Wishing everyone a safe Christmas and holiday season,

Matthew CunningtonPresident, WHHFLA

Be in Touch! WEBSITE www.WHHFLA.caEMAIL TeamTrudeau@WHHFLA.ca

facebook.com/WHHFLA twitter.com/WHHFLA

In 2016, the Energy of the Election Continued All Year!

Matthew Cunnington Association President

Don Trant

Standing (left to right): Don Trant, Carol Lawson, Ben Manshanden, Barb Brown, Cindy Blades, Mary Lou Trant, Ann Lawlor, George Henderson, Drew Leverette, Bonnie McEachern

Sitting (left to right): Alice Hewitt, Aileen Mair, Peter van Vloten, Matt Cunnington, Connell Smith

Candid Refl ections What a year!

Events State side, including Donald Trump’s surprise win and a worldwide trend toward isolationism and tight borders, provides Canada the opportunity and responsibility to show leadership by continuing to be a respected liberal democratic voice in the world.

The Justin Trudeau government is off to a great start, having

implemented several signature election promises including Canada Child Benefi t, infrastructure investment spending, help with student fi nancing and tax reduction for the middle class, a strengthened CPP and restoration of the eligibility age for Old Age Security. The second year of the Liberal mandate will include the introduction of some challenging policies, ones that may not be as popular, but are right for Canada, including for example carbon pricing, democratic reform, and marijuana legalization.

Closer to home, we are excited about our chances for 2019. In 2015, WHH more than doubled its Liberal vote when compared to 2011. In fact, WHH received the most Liberal votes we have ever had in this riding. A huge thanks to all who helped on the team! We are already building on 2015, with planning for 2019 well underway.

One of the things we did well in 2015, was canvassing, especially door knocking, but we need to do more, lots more. At a recent Liberal meeting, Justin Trudeau’s message encouraged us to remember our game plan, Real Change, Hope and Hard Work, to get out door knocking and speak to our constituents.

By the time you read this, some of us will have been out for our fi rst door knocking in Georgetown. Meeting people, learning more about the residents and our riding and talking politics- what could be more fun!

Don Trant, 2015 Election Candidate

1 Pubtalk about Indigenous Issues. Matt Cunnington, Tauni Sheldon and her son Albie

2 Random Roads at the First Year in Offi ce Celebration

3 Rockwood Food Bank Donation from the Summer Barbeque

4 Liberals at the Canada Day parade in Glen Williams

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The Newsletter of the Wellington-Halton Hills Federal Liberal Association

National Party Strategy

It has been just over one year since voters in Canada cast their ballots for ‘Real Change’ – something we can all be proud of. While our federal government has been implementing their campaign promises, the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) is in full swing preparing for 2019. Our Association is working closely with our national counterparts so that we too can be prepared. We have been tasked to focus on the three D’s – Doors. Data. Dollars.

By knocking on doors and making phone calls to the electorate of Wellington-Halton Hills, we can listen to voters concerns and collect vital data which will propel future campaigns. In fact, our team started door canvassing in November and we will continue our engagement initiatives. Those we talked to were happy to hear from us and voice their opinions on how the government is doing. You too can have your say by visiting www.YourVoiceYourCanada.ca.

No successful campaign can be run without a signifi cant bank account. Our primary fundraising efforts will focus on

increasing our Victory Fund membership. We now have over 400 registered Liberals with the number growing every week. Many are already Victory Fund members, but our goal is to increase these numbers so we have a stable revenue stream. Thank you to all of those who are already contributing.

It’s All About 2019!Canada’s 2019 General Election is only 34 months away and we’ll be ready. Strong results in 2015 emboldened us to believe that “better is always possible.” It is all about planning and hard work now, to ensure that in 2019 we close the Liberal – Conservative gap of 9000 votes and elect Wellington-Halton Hills fi rst Liberal MP.

Our organizational strength will come from 6 strong Community Teams: Centre Wellington, Erin, Guelph-Eramosa, Acton and Georgetown. Building the teams will take time. We have an active Community Team in Centre Wellington that holds monthly planning meetings and sponsors a monthly PoliTalk discussion at the Fergus Library. They became good friends in the 2015 election and didn’t want to quit! We are now working on a Community Team in Georgetown, with help from Centre Wellington. From there, we’ll build teams in the other areas. Interested in establishing a team in your community? Please let us know.

Election Readiness means having a great candidate in place by late 2017. Bonnie McEachern, Carol Lawson and Don Trant suggested the design for a Nominee Search Process and Harvey Thomson, Carolyn Skimson, Carol Lawson and Don Trant have agreed to form a Nominee Search Leadership Team to start the search. They are working to encourage a number of great people to step

forward as nominees in a safe environment among friends.

Election Readiness is also working on: the creation of a Campaign Planning Binder, developing a Youth Engagement strategy, increasing phone canvassing and re-starting door to door canvassing, raising our Association’s profi le and participation with LPC(O) leadership, advocating the need for a strong ProjectRURAL plan for the next election, and establishing working connections with MP Bardish Chagger (Waterloo) and MP Lloyd Longfi eld (Guelph) and their teams.

In summary, our work is all about 2019!

DREW LEVERETTEPETER VAN VLOTEN

Delegates join Minister of Small Business and Tourism Minister Bardish Chagger at the LPCO Conference this fall

Have an Impact! Thank you for all your dedication and continued support to help us prepare for a Liberal victory in 2019 and to elect a Liberal member in Wellington-Halton Hills. As we are all aware, we need people and fi nancial resources to run a campaign. Your donations, large or small, are always appreciated and used to promote Liberal values.

If you wish to make a donation at any time, you can do so online at www.WHHFLA.ca/donate or mail a cheque to me at the following address. A tax receipt is issued for any donation amount.

WHHFLAc/o Carol Lawson11616 Fourth LineActon, Ontario L7J 2M1

Want to Hang Out with Liberal-Minded Souls?

Centre Wellington PoliTalk is a progressive monthly discussion forum sponsored by Liberals and Friends.

More than forty people from Wellington-Halton Hills gathered on May 10th to learn about and discuss alternatives to the current “First Past the Post” voting system. It was held at the Fergus branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

On Tuesday October 4th, Mr. Raymond Soucy discussed Centre Wellington’s VitalSigns® �Report. The Report explored three themes: 1) The Gap Between Rich and Poor, 2) Belonging and Leadership, and 3) Arts and Culture.

On Tuesday November 1st, Mr. Rob Black, CEO of the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) discussed the Institute, rural priorities and engaging the rural community.

Those interested in attending upcoming PoliTalk sessions are asked to please drop Bonnie McEachern (bmceach@golden.net ) a line, just to make sure we make space at the Library. Time – usually the fi rst Tuesday of the month, 6:00pm – 7:45pm. Location – Fergus Public Library, 190 St. Andrew St. West, Fergus. Admission is free. Small donations to cover room rental are welcomed.

Georgetown’s “Women’s Caucus” meets, either the second or third Thursday, at a local restaurant for a social lunch. Contact Rita Griffi n email: ritagriffi n909@yahoo.ca

Liberal members have created an independent group which has raised money and has submitted an application to sponsor a Syrian refugee family in Halton Hills. The group is waiting to hear that they have been matched with a family, and then will fi nalize housing and other supports for their arrival. Contact Pam Sheldon: pamsheldon1@gmail.com or Ann Lawlor: m.annlawlor@gmail.com

Executive committees – fundraising, communications, canvassing, membership, etc. always welcome more ideas and willing hands. We have a particular need for someone who likes Money to take over the reins as Treasurer from Connell Smith. Interested in hearing more about these opportunities? Contact President Matthew email: cunnington.matthew@gmail.com

The Best Things in Life are Free!Have you heard?Membership with the Liberal Party of Canada is now free! Join the movement for a better Canada. Register online or by phone. Go to www.liberal.ca/register/ or call 1(888)LIBERAL (542-3725). Not sure if your membership is current? Call the number above.

Registering delivers the same benefi ts as there were when you had to pay to join the party. Most important is the right to vote and be involved. You can vote for executive members at every AGM and vote to select our next Liberal candidate. We will also invite you to events and inform you about riding initiatives to elect a Liberal member to Parliament.

WANT TO HELP OUT? We have various committee and other volunteer positions to be fi lled. Contact Melanie at membership@WHHFLA.ca for more information.

Carol LawsonVP, Fundraising

Melanie FlakeVP, Membership

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You never know who will come to a Liberal event!

FALL 2016/WINTER 2017 The Newsletter of the Wellington-Halton Hills Federal Liberal Association | PAGE 3PAGE 2 | The Newsletter of the Wellington-Halton Hills Federal Liberal Association FALL 2016/WINTER 2017