Across the country as back to school season swung into full gear students were greeted by more than just teachers and homework. Young Liberals of Canada were there too.
At University Frosh Fairs, Clubs Days, every event we could go to – we went. Whether it was McGill’s Streetfest or UBC’s Imagine Day, our local young liberal clubs were there, front and centre to let students know about our Party; about becoming a Supporter; and about being a Young Liberal.
It says a lot about the strength of our volunteer network we’ve been able to make this happen, and it’s been thanks to our volunteers we’ve been able to get such amazing results.
McMaster became the first campus club to reach 500 supporter sign-ups, at UBC they reached 270 after several hours. Queens is at over 300, UofT at 370, Carleton at 219, uOttawa at 150, Brock at 99… The list goes on and on.
Since early September we have signed up 4,000 new supporters!
But, this isn’t the end. We still have a long way to go – and we’ve got more conversations to start too.
We kick-started a cross-Canada-campus speakers tour last week. Our Liberal caucus is hitting the road so that we can hold events right across the country. We’re calling it the Choose your Canada tour.
So students, buckle up. School is in – and so is the Liberal Party of Canada.
David Valentin
Vice-President (Communications)
Young Liberals of Canada
Just an update: UofT has now signed up 500 supporters and collected over 1000 emails representing another group of potential supporters. We’re quite excited to be building the Party amongst the next generation!
University of Calgary reached 150!
UofC Liberals sign up 150 young liberals | CalgaryLiberal.com
http://www.calgaryliberal.com/2012/09/22/uofc-liberals-sign-up-150-young-liberals/
Hopefully the new leader will institute a focus group (minister youth critic).
The Liberals have to get out in front on this issue. These people are our future.
So far, in my opinion, we have only paid lip services to this important group. (just type in youth in Liberal.community “search” They do other things, besides do marijuana)
There needs to serious discussion to how solve the eduction debt crisis that affects individuals graduating with advance degrees.
There needs to be a serious discussion on how to make every person, the most productive as possible.
There needs to be a serious discussion on gangs, pitfalls of life, especially to youth.
There needs to be a serious discussion on “life skills” for all youth.
This is where I feel, there should be a “members only” posting site. Should one, suggest solutions to issues on Liberal.ca /community site, only to be stolen by the other parties?
Sure, you can be send your ideas to the big black hole, of the national party but there is no debating or policy development.
Policy resolutions from a local EDA, to me, seems narrow in development.
If youth isn’t engaging, it is because we haven’t come up with the right policies. (2011 elections, youth told us, “you are not talking to us, you are not talking about, what we care about”)
Those I have talked to, if they have a job, are making it through, like we did but the education debt is that one extra bill that is strangling them.
The balance between education and remuneration is out of whack, in my opinion.
If you need a BA to get a job, then that job has to pay enough to offset that extra education. Not only, is that not true, it is getting worst, as the world goes global.
Canadian policies in general, in my opinion, are working under, an out dated model. Our youth are competing with youth from other countries that are subsidized, have very much lower life expectancies and standard of living. We need to address those issues, if we expect to keep our youth in Canada. They drive our consumer economy.
The continuing argument, that, this is a provincial jurisdiction is setting old.
The federal governments, mandate, is to keep Canada, competitive with the world, coast to coast to coast.
There needs to be new world solutions to many of our “home” issues, if we, as country are to succeed.
But then you would have to have a federal government “here for ALL Canada”
Hi Rick, Thank you for your thoughts on specific issues>
Now regarding process comments: 1) “… there should be a “members only” posting site. Should one, suggest solutions to issues on Liberal.ca /community site, only to be stolen by the other parties?”
MK: We are working on just such a site for internal discussion… in the meantime, it is in the EDA’s that more discussion and engagement needs to take place, before we start crafting solutions…
Re: “Sure, you can be send your ideas to the big black hole, of the national party but there is no debating or policy development”
MK: There will be national debate on many issues as the next year unfolds. Right now is the time for engagement.. in the EDAs, where I respectfully suggest that there is expertise and interest in broad national issues. We don’t get elected on-line, nor in think-tanks. We get elected in each Electoral District, and therefore we need to hold discussions on issues that matter locally, and on how national issues affect our neighbours. Rick, we do hear what our members say, There are two levels of difficulty here: one is that, while not in government, there are only some things we can do to remedy the problems that Canadians are experiencing… certainly at a national level. We can make comment nationally, hold the government to account publicly and work on local solutions personally. The second difficulty is that feedback from Caucus and the national Party cannot be 24/7 to every member who suggests good ideas… We are working on consolidating ideas, replying on-line where possible, meeting with groups of members / Canadians to discuss solutions.
And re: “If youth isn’t engaging, it is because we haven’t come up with the right policies. (2011 elections, youth told us, “you are not talking to us, you are not talking about, what we care about”)”
MK: Again, it is engaging Canadians that we find out what they care about.. this means locally. This means you and me in our Neighbourhoods, participating in discussions or activities with youth groups, seniors’ groups, chambers of commerce, health care providers, environmentalists, entrepreneurs etc.. The roll up of solutions will be done soon enough, right now we can show that we care by being involved..
Maryanne thanks for the pep talk.
If I have so much to say, its time to get off the couch and put up or shut up.
Will see you on Sat. at the SWO regional meeting.
While, much you have to say, is technically correct, in theory , I don’t believe it represents the “real scenario” of Canadian electorate in 2012.
Regards Rick