Recap of Day 3 & Election Day

I’ve never been prouder to be a Liberal. Today was truly an inspiring day to be a Liberal and yet again another busy day.

Our day started off with a morning rally with our supporters. It was a great turnout with close to 100 supporters.

I then was able to attend a few of the plenary sessions which was also very useful as members were able to propose policy changes – which is where these changes should be debated.

I spent a majority of my time speaking to delegates on the convention floor before the polls opened at 2pm.

The lines were long however people were open and willing to discuss their options and my team and I spoke to as many delegates as possible with the hope of assisting in their decisions.

I can say one thing, regardless of tomorrow’s outcome, I will remain committed to help rebuild our party because this is about more than just one person. Its about all of us, collectively working together  on the important rebuilding process in the coming months ahead.

I want to conclude by thanking all of you, whether you supported me or another candidate. Thank you, for supporting the democratic process. Our party is stronger because of your participation in today’s election something we must never take for granted..

 

Embracing the Membership

 

Remember to Vote

Just a reminder that polls open in just under two hours for voting for all executive positions within the Liberal Party of Canada.

Voting starts at 2pm and goes until 8pm. Just a reminder that there will be no voting taking place on Sunday, so remember to get to the polls today before 8pm.

I encourage all of you to get out and vote for who you feel represents the best path forward in rebuilding the Liberal Party of Canada.

 

Recap of Day 2

Wow! Where did today go? What an amazing day as the convention’s first full day came to a close.

I started off my day dropping into a number of Annual General Meetings (AGM) for the various commissions within the party. I attended the Young Liberals of Canada AGM followed by the Aboriginal Peoples Commission, the Seniors Liberal Commission as well as the National Women’s Liberal Commission. It was great to meet with many delegates who attended these important AGMs and to learn more about some of the issues that these commissions are currently dealing with.

Following this, I began to meet with delegates on the floor of the convention speaking to them about the issues that were important to them as we work to rebuild the party. There were many great ideas from delegates and a lot of enthusiasm as to where we need to go as a party.

I then had the opportunity to host a series of regional meetings with delegates from coast to coast to coast. They had the opportunity to ask me questions about myself, my platform and where we need to take the Party, together. I also had the opportunity to ask them questions about important issues that faced their regions as well as what we can do better as a party to support the efforts of the riding associations and the provincial-territorial associations.

Following these series of meetings, I had the opportunity to freshen up and review my notes prior to debating my fellow presidential candidates.

The night capped off by hosting delegates at the Metropolitan Brasserie just across from the Westin and the Ottawa Convention Centre. Again, it was a great opportunity to meet with delegates in a more social setting as well as receive some feedback from the debate.

Tomorrow marks an important day for all of us as Liberals. Voting for the executive positions, including President of the Party begins tomorrow at 2pm. I hope you have some time over the next 24 hours to consider your alternatives. I look forward to meeting with you over the coming days and to work with you, together, to paint the Liberal Party of Canada, a bold, new, red.

 

A Bold New Liberal Party

The first full day of the 2012 Liberal Party of Canada Biennial Convention has been a whirlwind of rebuilding activity. Members are out in full-force discussing every facet of the Party and charting a new course for our future. My campaign has focused on the need for the Liberal Party to reclaim its bold nature. That can only happen through the conversations our membership are having across the country right now. The following are just some of my supporters who share this focus on a new direction for the Party:

• Michael Levitt, Co-Chair, Liberal Friends of Israel
• Howard Stevenson, President, Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)
• Michael Jolliffe, Former Riding President, Richmond Hill
• Jamie Carroll, National Director, Liberal Party of Canada
• Simon Turnstall, Past Executive Director, Ontario Liberal Party
• Craig Munroe, Past President, Liberal Party of Canada (British Columbia)
• Christian Monnin, President, Liberal Party of Canada (Manitoba)
• Katie Telford, President, Parkdale-High Park
• Christina Monroe, Secretary, Western Arctic Liberal Association
• Vivien Dzau, Treasurer, Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission
• Anneta Jewell, VP Federal, Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission
• Cheryl Fougere, Vice-President, Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission
• Dave Johnson, President, Ajax-Pickering
• Pat O’Brian, President, Ottawa Centre
• Quito Maggi, Delegate, St. Paul’s
• Navdeep Bains, Former MP, Mississauga Brampton South
• Jeff Jedras, Blogger
• Cole Hogan, Past Candidate, Saskatoon-Nutana
• Christine Innes, Past Candidate, Trinity Spadina
• Steve Mackinnon, Past Candidate, Gatineau
• Jon Moser,  Past Candidate
• Kyle Peterson, Past Candidate, Newmarket-Aurora
• Frank Proto, Senator, Saskatchewan
• Adam Exon, Communications Director, Barrie Young Liberals
• Ryan Hobson, Membership Secretary, Etobicoke-Lakeshore
• Carlene Variyan, Former Parliamentary Assistant
• Ron Newman, St. Paul’s
• Susan Morrissey Wyse, St. John’s East
• Francesco Sorbara, Toronto-Danforth
• Josh Chadwick, President, London North Centre
• Keith Simon White, St. John’s
• Brian Parsons, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
• Julie Metus, President, Trinity-Spadina
• Hasneet Singh Punia, President, Brampton Springdale
• Ryan Davey, Treasurer, Trinity-Spadina
• Michael Erskine, Regional President, Northern Ontario
• Lissa Regan, London North Centre
• Yves Lemire, Past Executive Director Liberal Party of Canada (Quebec)
• Rob Silver, Contributor, Globe and Mail

 

Reminder of Tonight’s Debate

I just wanted to take this opportunity to remind all delegates of tonight’s Presidential debate starting at 8pm at the Convention Centre. It will be a great opportunity for all candidate’s to discuss their vision on how we must all work together to rebuild the party.

 

Charles Ward, Former LPC Presidential Candidate, Endorses Mike

Earlier today, Charles Ward, former Presidential candidate,  formally resigned from the race to throw his support behind me. I’m truly humbled to have the support of Charles Ward. Mr. Ward represents an important voice within the party and I greatly appreciated his participation in the presidential contest to date. This endorsement continues to demonstrate the momentum building in my campaign. Here is what Charles had to say:

“I chose to enter the race because I wanted to make a contribution to my party and my country. At the time, I thought the best way to do that was to run for President of the Liberal Party of Canada. Since joining the race and participating in the debates, I’ve seen him grow as a candidate and have found myself agreeing with the vision he’s offering. He represents the renewal our party needs now.”

- Charles Ward, Former LPC Presidential Candidate

 

Growing Support

With delegates arriving in Ottawa, I can feel the momentum growing. I am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received over the course of the campaign and the continued support of Liberals across the country as the Biennial Convention kicks off. Below are just some of the Liberals who share my vision for a Bold New Red Liberal Party of Canada:

• David Peterson, Former Ontario Premier
• Belinda Stronach former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister
• Gerard Kennedy former MP, Ontario MPP, and provincial Education Minister
• Mike Eizenga, Former President, Liberal Party of Canada
• Brenda Kurczak, Former President, Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)
• Jack Siegel, Former Ontario Campaign Co-Chair
• Omar Alghabra, Former Member of Parliament
• Mark Holland Former Member of Parliament
• Larry Campbell, Senator
• Meredith Caplan, Executive Vice-President, Liberal Party of Canada
• Nicole DeKort Past Executive Director, Past President, Ontario Liberal Party
• Dan Veniez, Past Candidate, West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky
• Dennis Dawson, Senator
• Steve Peters, Past MPP/Provincial Speaker of the House
• Barry Campbell former Member of Parliament
• Sharon Macarthur, Past President, Liberal Party of Canada (Manitoba)
• Robert Peterson, Senator
• John Gillis, President, Nova Scotia Liberal Party
• Mark Watton, Past Provincial Candidate, Newfoundland
• Ryan Bater Saskatchewan Liberal Leader
• Suzanne Van Bommel, Past Candidate
• Jason Cherniak, Central Region President, Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)
• Greg Schmidt, former Chief of Staff to Liberal Cabinet Ministers Grey & Dhaliwal
• Chris Emmanuel, Past Central Region President, Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)
• David Monroe, Past Vice-President, Western Arctic Liberal Association
• Dave Johnson, President, Ajax-Pickering
• Kevin Langlands, President, Vancouver Island North Federal Liberal Association
• James Maloney, President, Etobicoke Lakeshore
• Jeff May, President, Newmarket – Aurora
• Vito Sgro President Hamilton East Stoney Creek

 

A Recap of Day 1

Today was a busy day and it’s hard to believe that it’s not even the start of the convention as of yet. Even though, I actually arrived in Ottawa yesterday, I’m glad I came in early because the weather was in fact terrible. I hope you all made it safe and sound, and for those who have delayed their travels, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow and of course wish you safe travels.

The day started off with attending the meeting of Councils of Presidents. It was a great opportunity to meet with those who lead our riding associations and the important work they do – some who have served as riding presidents for many years.

I then formally registered as a delegate for the Liberal Biennial Convention. It was a great opportunity to meet with many of you who I waited in line with. Many of you said hi, and I was pleased to introduce myself to those in line.

The day continued with meeting with members of the Young Liberals of Canada. It was a great opportunity to meet with youth who truly represent the future of our party. I want to thank those youth delegates who were able to attend.

Later on this evening, I had the distinct pleasure to attend the tribute dinner for Allan J MacEachen. Mr. MacEachen served our country with distinction for over thirty years. It was truly an honour to be in the same room as many Liberals to honour him for his service.

The night capped off with at my hospitality suite hosting delegates and meeting Liberals across our great country.

Tomorrow marks the first day of the Ottawa Biennial Convention and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the weekend.

 

Senator Larry Campbell Endorses Mike

Today, I’m pleased to have the support of Senator Larry Campbell. I want to thank Larry for the confidence he’s placed in me. This is what Larry had to say about my candidacy:

“I am proud to endorse Mike Crawley in his candidacy for President of the Liberal Party of Canada. It is imperative that the Liberal Party looks forward and not back.  Mike’s extensive experience and proven dedication make him the ideal candidate to deal with the unique challenges the Liberal Party currently faces. As President, he would be a driving force behind the successful rebuilding of the party. Mike understands what the Liberal Party needs and is determined to make it happen.  He truly is the best person for the job.”

The Honourable Larry Campbell

Senator, British Columbia