‘Meet people where they are at': Interim federal NDP leader Don Davies has his first Stampede visit
'It's about meeting people where they're at,' Davies said. 'And a lot of politics, I think is best communicated culturally and socially.
'And you know, particularly for me, I want to place a big priority on meeting working people,' he added. 'The federal NDP needs to reconnect with the working class in this country --and there's no better place to do that than at a place like the Stampede in our communities, where working people of all walks of life and all professions and occupations are gathering.
'It's a good chance to come and listen and hear what's on people's minds,' he said. 'That's why politicians are here -- because we get to use our mouths less and our ears more.'
'Democratic'
In addition to Stampede, Davies was in Calgary to meet with Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi.
Among the topics they discussed was the current state of affairs between the federal and provincial wings of the NDP party.
'I know that the Alberta (New) Democrats just had a convention where they extensively debated that issue. I think it's healthy in a democracy. And the second word in our name is democratic -- so I think it's healthy to be reviewing those relationships,' Davies said.
'What's most important is that New Democrats, provincially (and) federally across this country, are working in the same direction for the same goals,' he said. 'And I know that Mr. Nenshi and I and our federal colleagues, we share the same goals, which is to have a strong Canadian economy that works for working people, strong health care systems, good jobs, good families, sustaining jobs for people, and making sure that we have a strong united front against the threats that are coming from south of the border.'
'Share power': Nenshi
Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, the MLA-elect for Edmonton Strathcona, was back in Calgary Sunday, attending the Alberta New Democrat Caucus Stampede Breakfast at the Haysboro Community Association in southwest Calgary.
Naheed Nenshi
Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi was in Calgary Sunday to deliver a speech at the Alberta NDP Caucus Stampede Breakfast.
(Jordan Kanygin, CTV Calgary)
Nenshi said that for interprovincial barriers to trade to come down, Canadian premiers must be more willing to cede authority and power to foster collaborations with other provinces.
The comments came the day before Alberta premier Danielle Smith and Ontario premier Doug Ford sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate new energy and interprovincial trade infrastructure.
'The things that probably would make the most difference in the short-term are things that provinces have been very reluctant to change,' Nenshi said.
'Yes, there are (restrictive) things on wine and beer across provinces and so on, (but) that's not that big a deal in terms of the economy,' he added. 'What is critical is building codes, labor standards, accreditation and a particular interest in transportation and trucking.
'These are things that provinces, including Alberta, have been very protectionist on over the years.'
Nenshi said Stampede is a great opportunity for politicians to hear from constituents, among many others.
'I call it the political petting zoo,' he said, ' I'll let you under the hat a little bit: one of the things that a lot of everyday Calgarians and visitors won't see is, there's a whole circuit of lobbyists and people with particular interests who are trying to get to politicians.
'And in fact, what I really mentioned to my (Alberta NDP) colleagues this time is, yeah, go to a few of those events,' he added. 'You got to kind of show your face -- but I actually want them showing up at every church that's having a pancake breakfast.
'In every community, it's time for us to spend time with real citizens,' he said. 'And I'm really excited that we've got about 3,000 regular people here, just here to have a pancake, meet their neighbors, say hello to their MLA -- and I think that's wonderful.'
The former Calgary mayor also answered a question about the state of affairs between the federal and provincial NDP.
'I actually sat down with him (Don Davies) yesterday,' he said. 'I had never met with him before. He's a delightful person, and we had a very good conversation about how we can do a better job representing all Canadians, Albertans, and all Canadians who just want a better future.'
With files from CTV's Jordan Kanygin
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
25 minutes ago
- CBC
Building Canada Act a 'troubling threat' to Indigenous rights, says Amnesty International Canada
Social Sharing A global human rights organization has added to calls condemning federal legislation that many say will impact Indigenous rights in Canada. In a news release Tuesday, Amnesty International Canada said the Building Canada Act (Bill C-5) a law that will allow projects deemed beneficial to national interest to bypass some federal laws, poses a "troubling threat" to the rights of Indigenous Peoples. "The right to free, prior and informed consent is enshrined in domestic and international law, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," the release said. "Bill C-5 encourages the fast-tracking of infrastructure projects without safeguarding Indigenous Peoples' right to free, prior and informed consent over development proposals that affect their territories." Amnesty International Canada did not respond to a request for an interview. Bill C-5 became law June 26 with Conservative support, despite opposition from Indigenous leaders across the country. Twenty-eight senators had backed an amendment proposed by Sen. Paul Prosper to include explicit free, prior, and informed consent by Indigenous Peoples in the language of the law. The amendment was voted down. WATCH: Sen. Paul Prosper's speech: Bill C-5 a 'betrayal' of reconciliation, says Sen. Prosper in speech 12 days ago Duration 6:39 Sen. Paul Prosper rose in the Senate chamber Thursday to speak against the way Bill C-5 is moving through Parliament. Prosper says the Liberal major projects bill is being rushed and the government has failed to properly consult Indigenous stakeholders. "Too often Indigenous peoples are painted as barriers to progress," Prosper told the Senate during the debate. "No one wants our children to grow up in squalor with no access to clean water, no opportunity for good paying jobs and no support for our sick and dying. However we do not want success and progress to come along the backs of Indigenous peoples." 'Our rights are not for sale' Prime Minister Mark Carney has framed C-5 as a viable and critical way to combat the urgent economic threat of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on the Canadian economy. The federal government has said that Indigenous Peoples will be consulted during the process of choosing the projects to be designated and the review process for projects chosen will include further consultations with those potentially impacted by them. The federal government has also announced a series of "summits" that will take place over the summer with First Nations, Inuit and Métis. A statement last month from the Assembly of First Nations said it would be holding a virtual forum with chiefs on July 10 to discuss amendments made to Bill C-5, ahead of the prime minister's planned meeting with First Nations on July 17. Woodhouse previously said her office was given one week to review Bill C-5. "Canadians and Parliamentarians should know that First Nations are united," said Woodhouse in the statement. "Our rights are not for sale."
CTV News
30 minutes ago
- CTV News
Survivors applaud decision to demolish former Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia
The Ontario government plans to demolish parts of the former Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia amid a legacy of abuse. For many survivors, the former Huronia Regional Centre (HRC) is a place filled with haunting memories of institutional abuse, and now, decades later, the province's decision to tear down parts of the site is bringing long-awaited closure to some who once lived there. 'It's about time,' said Betty Ann Rose Bond, who was placed in children's aid care at age six and spent five years at the facility. 'It's an eyesore to the City of Orillia and also to us survivors.' Bond says her time at HRC was marked by trauma. The facility housed people with developmental disabilities until it closed in 2009. Bond says she remembers 'too much' about her time at HRC, adding she recalls primarily 'lots of abuse from staff.' A group of former residents launched a class action lawsuit against the Ontario government, alleging systematic abuse at the institution. The province settled the lawsuit in 2013 for $35 million. The allegations were never tested in court. The property is currently owned by the Ontario Provincial Police and has been used for the past two decades for training purposes. There are 49 buildings and 11 tunnels. The OPP says it is consulting with members of 'Remember Every Name' before deciding how the site should be used going forward. Remember Every Name The Remember Every Name memorial site in Orillia, Ont. "To be respectful and to honour the people that survived that experience it's important that they have input on the future use of the lands and buildings there because that was considered their home," said Debbie Vernon of 'Remember Every Name,' a group dedicated to preserving the memory of those who lived at HRC. The group is calling for a museum or permanent memorial to be built on the property to recognize the lives and stories of former residents. Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac supports the demolition and believes the site holds potential for new uses. 'It's a dark era and I think we just need to move forward. Taking the buildings down I think will help. I know the former residents are excited about seeing the buildings come down so that's a good step.' Bond agrees. 'It's a bit of closure for us in a good way. You're not going to erase our memories, they're there, and it's a permanent thing, but we need to move on too.' Police and survivors are expected to meet later this month to discuss next steps for the site's future.
CBC
39 minutes ago
- CBC
B.C. proposes ban on ownership and breeding of exotic cats
The British Columbia government is proposing to ban the breeding, sale and future ownership of all exotic and non-domestic cats, including servals, ocelots and European wildcats. The proposed changes would add the cats to the list of about 1,200 animals already designated as "controlled alien species" under the provincial Wildlife Act. A statement from the government issued Tuesday said the changes respond to "long-standing concerns" from animal welfare organizations and wildlife experts about public safety and environmental risks that such animals pose. The government said the changes would also benefit the animals themselves by creating standards for their keeping. The proposed legislation would allow current owners of such cats to keep them until their deaths, provided they apply for free permits. Provincial law already prohibits the ownership of large cats such as lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and cheetahs. While details of the proposed legislation are still emerging, the proposed ban fulfils a long-standing demand from the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Sara Dubois, chief scientific officer for the SPCA, said in a January 2023 letter to the Regional District of Nanaimo that local bylaws covering exotic animals, including servals, are insufficient. She said the SPCA had asked the provincial government "many times over the past decade" to include servals and other exotic species on the Controlled Alien Species list. Dubois also pointed to a provincial campaign signed by 8,000 people after the SPCA seized 13 serval cats from a breeder in Kamloops in 2019. "The vast majority of the public supports exotic animal bans, knowing it is cruel and dangerous to keep wild animals [whether they originate in Canada or other countries] as pets," she said. Dubois had sent her letter to regional officials after local authorities captured two African serval cats in October 2022 following their escape from a rural property near Qualicum Beach, but only after one of the animals had killed a domestic cat, and the other had killed several ducks. "The recent escape of two servals in the Regional District of Nanaimo was shocking for the community, but sadly it was not surprising to us," Dubois said.
