The Chronicle Issue 2 Volume 63

WHO HAS YOUR OTE?

The Politics Issue

Issue 2 Volume 63

M R U B #

U N A

How a trip to Scotland got me interested in Canadian Politics

Editor’s Message

This is a mini-issue and specifically covers the upcoming federal election on October 19. There is no life, events or media section in this issue but they will be back in our next larger issue on October 23 so you can look forward to that post midterms :) In this issue we had each of the candidates for the Lacombe-Red Deer Riding to write a piece about themselves and why students should vote for their respective party. The candidates are not ranked in way by the order of their pages in this issue. The Chronicle aims to take a completely unbaised look at the political parties.

So why did we choose to have a specific issue dedicated to the Federal Elections?

Well the simple answer is that it is very important. Perhaps I can provide a more thorough answer through my own reflections on politics.

My interest in Canadian politics came ironically from a trip to a foreign country. The summer I went to Scotland was pretty much by fluke. A professor suggested it, I applied, I went, I told my parents after I bought my ticket. I’d never had a particular interest in Scotland I just wanted to study abroad that summer and I jumped at the first one opportunity presented. But as it turned out I went to Scotland during THE summer to go to Scotland.

While I was there the commonwealth games were in Glasgow, the Edinburgh International Festival was on and most importantly it was 1 month before the Scottish Independence Referendum. On September 18, 2014 the whole of Scotland was given a chance to vote on whether or not they would remain a part of the United Kingdom. If they voted No they would remain in the UK if they voted Yes Scotland would begin the process of becoming it’s own country. Ultimately the No vote won out but by an insanely close margin with 55 % being no and 45 % yes. But what’s really amazing is that of the people who were eligible to vote 85% did! That’s incredible 85 % of the country was so invested in their nation’s politics that they took time to come to the polls and vote.

very much saw the post card Scotland. I awoke to bagpipes and I was constantly passing men in kilts. I learned that it wasn’t typically like this but was a result of the referendum. They were celebrating what made them Scots to show the difference between their culture and Britain’s.

And that’s exactly how voting times should be. Elections should be a time when we are most patriotic. We should be out celebrating what makes us Canadian. Beyond that we should be out celebrating the fact that we live in a democracy where voting is possible. Elections should be a time every Canadian looks forward to, it is a time of year when each of us gets a chance to tangibly make a difference in not only our country but our world.

Keeping that in mind perhaps you can imagine the kind of environment I found myself in, when 85% of the country was hyped up for the vote. The buzz and electricity was everywhere, in my lectures, around the dinner table and even as I walked through the moors. Everyone was constantly talking about it, people hung flags in their apartment windows. “I’m voting No” “I’m voting Yes”. I found myself constantly in conversations that revolved around politics, I went to rallies, I sat in lectures and even in Scottish parliament. Admittedly I spent most of my time with the Yes crowd, I hardly ever interacted with the No. The Yes was mainly artist, writers and historians and as such the rallies were amazing. I went to an art show and a comedy show it wasn’t rebellious it was celebratory. When I was in Scotland I felt like I

I’d never been in a place before where people cared so much about politics. Ask anyone my age how they were voting and they knew and knew why. People may think we’re too young to vote but we’re not. We do need to be educated though, we need to research and figure out exactly how we want to vote so that we’re not wasting our vote. That’s why we made this issue just about the elections. What I heard most from students is they wanted to vote but didn’t want to make an uninformed decision.

Well now you can’t, hopefully when you have finished reading this issue you will know how you’re voting and why. If not we have a page of other suggestions to help you figure it out.

I believe every time a woman votes she is making strides for every woman in the world who is not allowed to vote by proving that women do have a voice to be heard. Every time someone under 30 votes they are taking strides for every young person who’s opinion isn’t valued. We’re not too young to vote, we are active and vocal citizens who can make a difference.

Happy Reading :)

Cover Design by Jacqui McCarty

Conservative BLAINE CALKINS

a re-elected Conservative government will aim to create a further 1.3 million new jobs by 2020.

I am Blaine Calkins, your Conservative candidate in the new federal riding of Red Deer - Lacombe. I have served as the Member of Parliament in the constituency of Wetaskiwin since 2006.

I grew up on a family farm near Lacombe, where my parents still live today.

I went to school in Lacombe and eventually became a student at the University of Alberta where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. I also hold a certificate in Law Enforcement from Lethbridge Community College as well as a diploma in Computer Systems Technology from Red Deer College. While I wasin school I studied hard and I had a job to make sure that I had money. Now that my children are nearing the age of needing to make post-secondary choices for themselves, I am grateful that we have a government that is aware of the pressures of not only being a student but the costs associated

Additionally, our government has created a tax credit for text books and tuitions and removed the taxable status for grants and bursaries to ensure that students receive the full value of these funds.

I am grateful that we have a government that is aware of the pressures of not only being a student but the costs associated with it.

with it.

Our government introduced the Canada Education Savings Grant which is money the government adds to your Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to help your savings grow. After high school, the money can be withdrawn to help pay for either full-time or part-time studies. We have also made changes to the Canada Student Loan program such as removing in-study income from the assessment process when being considered for financial assistance under the Canadian Student Loans Program and students with cars will no longer be required to declare their vehicles as an asset when applying for Canada Student Loans.

Our government also increased funds earmarked for post-secondary institutions through social transfers and made infrastructure investments through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program to improve and expand our post-secondary institutions. In 2009, Burman University (then Canadian University College) received funding under this 2-year program that saw $2 Billion invested into post-secondary infrastructure projects across Canada.

The Young Canada Works Program and the Canada Summer Jobs Program assist students enrolled in post-secondary education to find employment during the summer break and gain valuable work experience at the same time. I am pleased that our Government has increased funding to these programs to ensure that more students can take part in these employment programs.

Since its inception in 1996 to December 31, 2014, Futurpreneur Canada, formerly known as the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, has helped more than 7,500 young entrepreneurs launch over 6,200 businesses and create 29,800 jobs. This successful not-for-profit organization has done this by providing flexible financing combined with mentoring and other business resources to help young entrepreneurs launch and sustain a business.

not only are more Canadians working than before the recession, there are more Canadians working than ever before in our country’s history.

On February 5, 2015, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Government’s intent to provide $14 million over two years – $7 million in 2015-16 and $7 million in 2016-17 – to Futurpreneur Canada. This funding would be conditional on the organization raising matching contribution funds from non-federal sources. The funding will allow Futurpreneur Canada to make it easier for young entrepreneurs to start small businesses across Canada.

Young entrepreneurs, investment in to knowledge infrastructure plan (enhanced the facility, viable to run, reducing costs for students) Our government is also focused on job creation to ensure that when you graduate from school you will be able to find work in Canada. Canada’s economy created 1.3 million net new jobs since the depths of the global recession – one of the strongest job creation records in the G-7. In fact, not only are more Canadians working than before the recession, there are more Canadians working than ever before in our country’s history. And we will continue to focus on creating good, well-paying jobs for Canadians. That is why we are announcing that a re-elected Conservative government will aim to create a further 1.3 million new jobs by 2020. We will further contribute to your success by protecting our economy and keeping taxes low for all Canadians.

Party Leader Stephen Harper

On February 19, 2013, the Government of Canada officially opened its Office of Religious Freedom, within Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. In Canada’s view, freedom of religion or belief, including the ability to worship in peace and security, is a universal human right. Through the Office of Religious Freedom, Canada will continue to work with like-minded partners to speak out against egregious violations of freedom of religion, denounce violence against human-rights defenders and condemn attacks on worshippers and places of worship around the world.

Thank you for taking the time to consider the Conservative Party of Canada in the upcoming Federal Election. The right to vote was well fought for and I am pleased that The Chronicle is taking a proactive approach to ensure that the students of Burman University are able to make an informed decision on October 19, 2015.

Through the Office of Religious Freedom, Canada will continue to... speak out against egregious violations of freedom of religion, denounce violence against human-rights defenders and condemn attacks on worshippers and places of worship around the world.

Stephen Harper was sworn in as Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister on February 6, 2006.

Now in his third term, he is working hard to secure Canada’s economic recovery.

The Government is focused on its top priority – the economy – as it keeps taxes low, eliminates the deficit and lays the foundations for long-term prosperity. Having successfully brought the federal tax burden to its lowest level in half a century, and with the budget balanced in 2015, The Government is also providing greater tax relief and increased benefits for Canadian families.

Prime Minister Harper is also continuing to advance Canadians’ interests and values on the international stage. In 2010 Canada hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the G8 and G20 summits, and a Royal Tour by Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. In 2011 the country welcomed Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Under Prime Minister Harper’s leadership, Canada is an increasingly popular home for major international sporting events, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Pan-American Games and the Para Pan-Am Games recently showcasing Canada on the world’s stage.

NDP Stephen Harper and the Conservatives were elected in 2006, on the heels of the Liberal Sponsorship Scandal (Ad Scam or Sponsorgate). The Conservative Government’s promise to Canadians was two-fold: Clean up government corruption Strengthen the economy.

Party Leader Tom Mulcair “Our offer to Canadians is clear: A government that stands up for middle-class families – one that ensures young people get the opportunities they need and seniors get the benefits they deserve.”

Tom is the second oldest of ten brothers and sisters. From an early age, he learned the importance of looking out for others, sticking together, and backing up principles with action.

More than anything, Tom learned to work hard for everything he got. He had his first job delivering the paper at ten-years-old and worked his way through university and law school.

After graduating, Tom chose to dedicate his career to serving the public, rather than powerful interests. Tom’s commitment to public service eventually led him to politics. In 1994, he was elected to Quebec’s National Assembly and went on to serve as Environment Minister.

There, he wrote landmark sustainable development legislation that enshrined the right to live in a healthy environment in Quebec’s charter of rights.

The values of giving back and serving the

public are deeply ingrained in the Mulcair household. Tom has been married to his wife Catherine Pinhas, a public-health psychologist, for 37 years. Together, they raised two sons, Matt, a police sergeant in the Quebec provincial police, and Greg, a college physics professor.

Doug Hart

R.N., B.N., M.Ed. Admin., M.Sc.

Doug Hart has lived in Central Alberta his entire life and has worked as a Registered Nurse - teaching and administering at Alberta Hospital, Red Deer College, Grande Prairie College, and Red Deer Regional Hospital over a forty year career. Most recently, Doug was Vice President Academic at Grande Prairie Regional College from 2001 until 2008.

As he transitions into an eventual retirement, Doug continues to work as a casual Nurse in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and Addictions at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

Professionally, Doug holds diplomas in Psychiatric Nursing and Registered Nursing, an undergraduate Degree in Nursing (U of C, 1981), a Masters Degree in Education Administration (U of A, 1992), and a Masters Degree in Science in Health Promotion Studies (U of A, 2002).

Active in professional and civic activities, Doug has represented the Civil Service Association of Alberta, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, the United Nurses of Alberta, the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, and Alberta Association of Colleges and Technical Institutes. He has served on many Provincial and Federal Governance Boards. For his substantial contribution to post-secondary education in Alberta, Doug was a recipient of the Premier’s Centennial Medal of Excellence in 2005.

After ten years of Conservative Government the changes we have seen to Government are more scandals in the Senate, more entitlement, a blatant disregard for democracy and debate, a concentration of power in the Office of the Prime Minister (often referred to as a Party of One), and an affront to Canadians’ personal rights and freedoms (Bill C-51).

The Conservative Government’s record on the economy, is equally dim.

Though they promote themselves as the only stewards of the economy, they have had six successive years of deficits governments, only balancing the budget this year by not spending hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for social programs and veterans services.

Their erosion of democracy (the Party of One, Omnibus legislation, proroguing Parliament, limiting debate, and concentrating power in the Office of the Prime Minister), are equaled only by their assaults on Peace, the environment, Indigenous Persons, Unions, veterans, seniors, and scientific research.

The relationship between the elected Member of Parliament and the voters has changed significantly as well.

Where we used to elect Members of Parliament to be our voice in Ottawa, now we elect MPs to come from Ottawa and be the voice of their Leader in our Constituency.

Jack Layton, the previous leader of the New Democrats often said that

“Ottawa is Broken”.

These are the things that led him to that conclusion and these are the reasons we need change.

We need to move away from relying too heavily on one source of revenue for our economy. We need to move from “stripping and shipping” our natural resources, to value added industries that create jobs through refinement, manufacturing, and value added industry in fossil fuel extraction and agriculture. Because 80% of jobs in the private sector are in small business, we believe we can stimulate good jobs by reducing federal small business tax from 11% to 9%.

We believe young working families should not have to pay enormous day care expenses that often keep young parents from being able to return to work after having children. We propose licensed, regulated day care spaces be subsidized to keep costs for day care at a maximum of $15 per child per day.

We believe Canada has not upheld our global obligations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to reduce our carbon footprint.

We would kick-start renewable energy production including solar, wind, and geothermal electricity, and implement environmental protection laws with teeth.

We believe there needs to be Federal strategies to deal with health delivery including a national Pharmacare

program, National Seniors Strategy, and annual First Ministers of Health Conferences to discuss National Health delivery programs (First Ministers Conferences that bring together provincial and Territorial Ministers have long been standard practice in Canada. Under ten years of Stephen Harper’s Government, there have only been two First Ministers Conferences – both on the economy).

Other governments had annual First Ministers Conferences on Health, Education, Foreign Relations, Indigenous Rights and others.

Canada’s role in international disputes needs to revert to United Nations peacekeeping.

Bombing and shelling in countries where religious and political wars have been going on for decades or generations is not the solution. We need to help the United Nations to maintain peace in diplomatic and humanitarian ways.

Most academics would agree that the secret to reducing poverty and empowering citizens is through adequate K-12 and post-secondary education. Though reducing tuition and non-instructional fees would help, and increasing access to grants and bursaries would reduce financial burdens, there are other things that need to change as well. Tax deductions for post-secondary students need to include costs of books, technology and license fees, and accommodation while studying. It should be noted that contributions to political parties generate a 75% tax credit, while tax deductions for tuition only generate 17% savings on one’s taxes. Why do we value contributions to political parties, more than we value contributions to our post-secondary education?

Finally with respect to post-secondary education, there needs to be a paradigm shift among elected officials.

About thirty years ago, Conservative governments began using a “user pay”

model to charge more and more for a service. The belief was that if someone used a service they should pay more for the service than someone who did not use it. Under the user pay model, tuitions in Colleges and Universities have risen about 1200 percent in the last forty years while wages have risen about half of that. We know that people who are educated are healthier, are involved less in crime, pay more taxes, rely less on social services and employment insurance, and are less likely to break the law. It is clear that society is the beneficiary of a post-secondary education – not just the graduate. We need to begin to look at post-secondary education as an investment – not a cost.

I am a long time Central Albertan. I am a registered Nurse, and hold Masters Degrees in Educational Administration, and Science (Health Promotion Studies). I spent eighteen years teaching Nursing in the post-secondary system at Red Deer College, and eight years as Academic Vice-President at Grande Prairie Regional College. I have been a public servant all my life and would love to continue to serve the Public as your Member of Parliament for the next four years. Thank you.

We need to begin to look at post-secondary education as an investment – not a cost.

F s

Liberal Rev. Jeff Rock

The Liberal Party has a very intentional youth focus with some of our policy pieces. One in particular is about youth jobs.The full details can be found at the link below, but highlights include

Rev. Jeff Rock was born and raised in Northern Ontario, but like many, he came to Central Alberta to be part of the hope and economic optimism in this beautiful province. He has worked in, and contributed to, Alberta’s ongoing growth and wants to ensure this growth for future generations by being a strong voice for Red Deer-Lacombe.

Jeff earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University, a Master’s of Divinity from The Montreal School of Theology (an affiliate college of McGill) and is an Ordained Minister in The United Church of Canada.

Always active in the community, Jeff has served as Chair of the Board of The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society and on The City of Red Deer’s Downtown Redevelopment Action Plan Committee. He is the Founding Chair of The Red Deer Interfaith Network, and a member of both the Remembering the Children Society and the local Truth and Reconciliation Commission Organizing Committee. Further Jeff serves on the Racial Justice and Gender Justice Advisory Committee of The United Church Currently, Jeff serves with a United Church in downtown Red Deer where he is Minister of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care. There he gets the privilege of celebrating weddings with young couples and offering support to those bereaved by the loss of loved ones. He enjoys working with youth and young families, seniors and marginalized populations.

$1.3 Billion over three years to create a youth employment strategy aiming to get 40,000 young adults working, creating co-op placements by giving business tax incentives, renew the Canadian summer jobs program and focusing youth oriented jobs in the green sector and national parks. http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/real-change-creating-jobs-and-opportunity-for-young-canadians/

I think young folks like us also have a keen interest in both the environment and the economy. I’m a Liberal because we take a balanced approach to issues that matter. Many Conservatives deny climate change, whereas many NDPers call for a closing down of the oil sands. Neither of these polemic approaches will help us as young people seeking to move forward.

What the Liberal Party seeks to do is find the balance between the environment and the economy and see

them not as opposing forces but intricately linked.

For example the Keystone XL Pipeline is being blocked by the President because Canada is seen as an environmental laggard. So by respecting our environment we will also encourage our industry.

Again not trying to denigrate the other parties, but show the Liberal difference.

Another important issue is the economy. Both Tom Mulcair and Stephen Harper plan to balance the budget but economists say the only way to do that is cuts.

Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have a bold $125 Billion infrastructure plan to kickstart the economy.

Yes, that will mean running a small deficit, but with low interest rates and lots of people out of work that is exactly what economists are calling for to get people working and our economy going.

Justin Trudeau was the only leader who committed to fully implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

What we often forget is that the TRC was mandated by the legal system because the government and the church-

es involved in residential schools were sued in class action lawsuits and so we, as Canadians, have an obligation to implement the recommendations of the TRC. Will it be expensive? Yes. Will it be a challenge? Yes. But will it help build trust, and address historic challenges that have been passed from generation to generation and build justice? Yes! So I, the Liberal Party and Justin Trudeau are committed to working with indigenous communities in Nation to Nation dialogue to address the systemic challenges that have arisen out of the residential school legacy.

The civil war in Syria began 4 1/2 years ago with the Arab Spring, a multi-national push for democracy in dictatorships across the Middle East and North Africa. Unlike other countries like Egypt and Tunisia where democracy came into being, in Syria the dictator Bashar Al-Assad cracked down with military might to quench decent (reminds me of the Romans) and so protests continued and grew. After several years of civil war, out of that mess, jihadist radicals formed a rebel group called ISIL combining former Al Qaeda folks from Iraq and Islamists from across Syria and Iraq. So both groups questing for power in Syria are at their core, evil. So if we bomb ISIL we help Assad, and if we bomb Assad, we help ISIL. Russia has decided to support Assad. Canada, The United States and others are trying to equip a small third group that is a coalition made up of Kurds, democracy fighters and Iranian militias. The challenge is, Iran is usually not our ally. Saudia Arabia is usually our ally, but Iran and Saudi Arabia are in a sort of cold war conflict seeking to be the local super power. So some folks think that Saudi Arabia may be illegally supplying ISIL with support (this is unconfirmed). The problem is Canada has a $13 Billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, even though they have a dubious human rights record. The moral of the story is we can’t bomb our way out of this one. Foreign intervention is what is causing the mess and now 17 million Syrians are in need of aid. 4 million have fled the country. Jordan alone has 1 million refugees in tents (thats 25% of their

population!) Germany is planning on taking 800,000 this year and

Canada is struggling to take 1-2,000 [refugees] and relying on private sponsors like churches to do it.

Well, churches, like mine, are tapped out. Our refugee system is so broken it takes years for us to bring just one family to Canada and there is no way we can do anymore. The government has a humanitarian obligation to sponsor these refugees themselves. Of course there will be security screening, but we cannot use security as an excuse to not do something!

Back in March Justin Trudeau spoke in the House of Commons asking the government to bring 25,000 refugees immediately and was teased endlessly by the conservatives. Their biggest attack ad has a line “didn’t he want to send parkas to Syria” and the answer is YES! because there is a humanitarian crisis there and people were freezing to death this past winter! Canada has a role to play, but it should not be through bombs, but rather aid and blankets. It is the right thing to do. Again to quote Justin Trudeau

“You don’t get to just discover compassion halfway through an election campaign” speaking to Harper now that the Syrian refugee crisis has finally gotten the media attention it deserves.

Party Leader Justin Trudeau Prior to his election in 2008, Justin Trudeau worked as a math and French teacher in Vancouver, B.C., and served as the chair of Katimavik, Canada’s national youth service program. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from McGill University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia.

Justin was born on December 25, 1971, and is the eldest son of the Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Margaret Sinclair.

Married to Sophie Grégoire, they are the proud parents of Xavier, Ella-Grace, and the newest addition to the family, Hadrien.

Justin Trudeau is getting ready to lead by building a strong team with Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Together, they will provide new insights and new leadership on what matters most to Canadians: a strong economy, equal access to employment opportunities for Canadians of every age, a dignified retirement, responsible environmental stewardship and resource development, and increased enrollment in post-secondary education for our youth.

Still not sure who to vote for?

Take a Quiz

Go to an Event

These quizzes are free and really really helpful, check them out. You don’t have to vote for the party that your results steer you toward but it might help you orientate yourself.

Did you miss the forum we had on campus? No worries the candidates for the Lacombe-Red Deer riding are always out and about nearby. Visit their websites to find out where they’ll be next.

votecompass.cbc.ca

You can also find a recording of the forum on our website.

canada.isidewith.com

www.theburmanchronicle.com Listen to a debate

Use a little Google

The best way to learn about the parties and their leaders is from the leaders themselves.

In this day and age everyone is online and has a website. They’re packed with info about each of the candidates.

You can find a ton of different debates online with each of the political party leaders. The Globe and Mail, CBC and Macleans all host huge debates with the leaders. Look them up on youtube!

But there’s more, almost every party and candidate has a twitter, youtube, instagram, facebook probably even pinterest maybe even a snapchat.

Start following them on platforms you already use and seamlessly get updates

First Among Equals Website

Prime Ministers of Canada Submit your answers to the crossword to sachronicles@ burmanu.ca and you could win a $10 Tims card!

Across 16. He was prime minister three times, and led CanaAcross 2. He became prime minister during the Great Depression.

Because he couldn't stop the da for 22 years.

2.

He became prime minister during the Great DeDepression, he lost the election (and his job) in 1935.

17. She was Canada’s first woman prime minister. pression. Because he couldn’t stop the 18. After Bennett, it was another 22 years until this Depression, he lost the election (and his job) in Conservative was elected prime minister.

1935.

Down 6. He was prime minister from 1894 to 1896, and 1.

People called him “Uncle Louis.” His most importcouldn’t solve the Manitoba Schools Question. ant concern was national unity.

7. He was prime minister twice, with Joe Clark serving 3. He was prime minister during the First World War between his terms. (which was from 1914 to 1918).

8. He lost two elections to Brian Mulroney in the 4. He was prime minister in the 1960s, and won the 1980s.

Nobel Peace Prize.

9. This Conservative prime minister was elected in the views in this do not reflect... 1984 and brought in the GST (Goods and 5. He was prime minister twice -- once for only three months.

Services Tax) and Free Trade.

8. He was prime minister for the shortest length of 10. He died in 1894 in England, while visiting the time.

Queen.

12. He was Canada’s first prime minister, and the 11. He was Canada’s 20th prime minister. main leader behind Confederation.

12. He beat Macdonald and became prime minister 13. He was Canada’s youngest prime minister, and -- and then lost to Macdonald in the next took over after Trudeau. election.

15. He became prime minister in 1896, and believed 14. He took over after Sir John A. Macdonald died.

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