February 2004 - Stephen Taylor

Media Day

What a day! Final memberships to vote for leader of the new Conservative Party of Canada and to vote for my nomination are due tonight at midnight. As I’ve been working selling memberships for my nomination, I had the opportunity to speak with both the Kingston Whig Standard and to Rex Murphy on Cross Country Checkup on CBC Radio One.

The Whig reporter called today to find out a little bit more about who I am and why I’m running. I mentioned that the new Conservative Party represents a chance for previously sidelined conservatives to be heard and that the formation of the party represents “a real opportunity for democratic change in this country”.

On Rex’s call-in show, Rex introduced me to the country and again to Stephen Harper. Subsequently, I asked him the following question, “Hi Mr. Harper, I’m seeking the Conservative nomination here in Kingston and the Islands. I’m 23 years old and when we had the opportunity to meet and discuss the issues we didn’t have the chance to discuss youth issues. Now, I think that this new party can be the party of youth in this country and I’ve been working hard to realize this goal. I’d like to ask you what your commitment is for the sustainment of a youth wing of the party and whether you’ll be seeking youth input if you’re the leader.” Now, I know what I said, but I can’t begin to present Mr. Harper’s response without a transcript, so I’ll present the exchange when it becomes available from CBC.

Update:I can do one better than a transcript. Here’s the audio of the interview with Stephen Harper. I’m on the air at around the 44 minute mark.

Click here to listen to the audio

Busy day…

Scott Brison is now a confirmed Liberal

Former Conservative Scott Brison won his nomination today for the Liberal Party of Canada meaning that he will represent the Liberal Party on the next federal ballot for the riding of King Hants. We’ll see how he’ll fare in the upcoming election since he jumped ship to a party now deluged in the sponsorship scandal. Speaking of the sponsorship scandal, one of Auditor-General Sheila Fraser’s complaints was the Liberal government’s questionable purchase of two new Bombardier jets worth $100 million. These flying limosines, for the cabinet, were purchased while our military is sorely underfunded. Here’s what Scott Brison said about this when he was a Conservative:

“Why does the government not pull the flying carpet out from under the Prime Minister, cancel the $100 million order for the flying Taj Mahals and buy new helicopters for our troops, or has the little guy from Shawinigan become the sultan of Shawinigan?

“The Minister of National Defence says that the new luxury jets are an upgrade to make sure that the government is better able to do its job when it is required to travel. The only thing the cabinet does fast is fly.

“Why is the minister not more concerned about providing his troops with the equipment they need to do their jobs than he is about providing the Prime Minister with a Canadian version of Air Force One to feed his imperial-sized ego?

Source: Hansard

Food for thought for the voters of King Hants

Leadership Membership Dealine

I’d like to post a reminder to everyone that is interested in joining the new Conservative Party of Canada. The deadline for membership sales in order to vote for leadership is tomorrow (February 29th). You can, of course, buy a membership anytime after this date, but in order to participate in the leadership vote you must purchase a membership by tomorrow.

Here is a link to sign up through the Conservative Party of Canada:
Conservative Party Memberships

Through Tony Clement:
Tony Clement’s membership sales

Through Stephen Harper:
Stephen Harper’s membership sales

Through Belinda Stronach:
Belinda Stronach’s membership sales

Please note that the last date to purchase memberships to vote in the Kingston and the Islands Conservative nomination meeting is tomorrow as well. Thank you to all of you who have signed up through my website. I have been overwhelmed by your level of support. In order to process your membership application before the deadline tomorrow, please sign up through the Conservative Party of Canada’s membership sales webpage. You will still be able to purchase memberships after the deadline from my website, but for now please use the link above. The nomination meeting is on March 22nd and I hope to see all of you there.