NDP defector says he warned party some N.B. voters are 'uncomfortable' with Jagmeet Singh
Singh should have visited to reassure voters in majority-white communities, says Jonathan Richardson
CBC Radio ·
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks with the media following caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Wednesday November 28, 2018. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh should have come to New Brunswick to
meet with people who "may not have had any exposure to people from
different cultures," says a former party exec.
They
were joined by Jonathan Richardson, the federal party's executive
member for Atlantic Canada, who said the NDP leadership failed to
respond to provincial concerns — including anecdotal evidence that
racism toward Singh will be factor in the campaign.
Singh is a Sikh and wears a turban.
Here is part of Richardson's conversation with As It Happens host Carol Off.
Why did you decide to leave the NDP and join the Greens?
For
me specifically, I work with vulnerable people. ... With all of these
children, with all of these vulnerable sectors, the one thing that I
kept seeing was that the government wasn't providing the funding that
was required for them to actually get off on the good foot.
So
because of that, I eventually had to make a decision. You know, am I in
politics for the branding, for the orange? Or am I here for the people
that I want to help? And I've always been here for the people that I
wanted to help.
So for that reason, what I've done is say, you
know, there are three Green MLAs in New Brunswick, and they all have the
same kind of social justice kind of beliefs that I do. And it was my
hope ... that we'd be able to at least bring in some legislation to help
with some of the things that I was seeing.
Jonathan
Richardson, a member of the federal NDP's election planning committee
in New Brunswick, announces the defection of himself, and fourteen
former NDP candidates, to the Greens. 0:47
Is the problem, though, as you pointed out in your
press conference, that there is not much faith in the federal NDP
leadership right now?
I have zero issues in terms of
the leadership of the party because I know they're doing exactly what
their job tells them to do — and that's to go around the country and to
figure out which seats they can pick up, which seats they need to
maintain, and where they're going to put their resources.
And, unfortunately, just for this election at least ... it's not going to be New Brunswick.
You
also said in your press conference that you have raised with [the
party] ... that race and the racism card is coming up in the discussions
that you're having with those in the party and those around the
province. What did you tell them about that?
Being a
member of the federal executive, I believe that it is my job to listen
to the membership at the ground floor and to give that view up to the
executive.
And what did you tell them specifically?
I
said that there was a misunderstanding of Mr. Singh's religion, where
his religion was coming from. Because I was hearing a lot of people
referring to him, for example, as being a Muslim.
And there's a
lot of issues in terms of, especially in the northern part of the
province, where there have been a lot of issues with the EI protests that are going there, the black hole specifically around the issue of temporary foreign workers coming in, and they felt that they were taking jobs away from them.
I'm
only speculating here, but I would feel like that resentment would have
generalized into a broader kind of view of people who are from
different cultures.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh makes an announcement in Toronto on Monday, September 2, 2019. (Christopher Katsarov/Canadian Press)
And you are hearing a lot of racist remarks when you were visiting the northern part of the province?
What I was hearing is that they were uncomfortable.
In
New Brunswick, some of the rural communities are not up to date in
terms of the social media life that we would be in some of the bigger
areas or the younger people. So having someone physically present to be
able to talk with them and to be there would have actually, in my
opinion, rectified the situation.
What did you hear, though, on the ground as far as people's regard to Jagmeet Singh and his identity?
Like I said, you know, some people thought that he was Muslim.
Some people didn't even know that he was born in Canada. So they thought that he ... immigrated from a different country.
Some of these misperceptions that they were having about Mr. Singh, you know, in my opinion needed to be rectified quickly.
Was
it your feeling, and was it what you were communicating, that Mr. Singh
was going to have a hard time in New Brunswick because he's a Sikh?
I
don't know the answer to that. I know that there was an issue, and I
brought it up because I really did not want that to happen. Because,
obviously, I was a very staunch New Democrat.
That's why I felt
it was urgent to bring it up to that point that he should maybe come to
the Acadian festivals, come to these celebrations and be exposed inside
the community.
But what could the leadership do? When
you tell them that there is a problem that Mr. Singh is a visible
minority, that he wears a turban, that he's a Sikh and that's going to
be become an issue in this election, what can they possibly do about
that?
That's a very good question. I don't know what
the answer is to that. And I think that if I had the answer, I may have
dealt it with myself.
And did you at any point warn them that it's possible
that because Mr. Singh is a Sikh that he is going to have a very hard
time winning an election in New Brunswick?
No, I don't
think I used those words. Specifically, I said that those concerns were
brought up and that's going to have to be dealt with.
Is
it your view — and not that you share it — but is it your view that Mr.
Singh is going to have a very hard time in this election in New
Brunswick because he's a Sikh?
I don't know the answer to that. I can only say what I heard and what people were telling me on the ground.
I
can tell you that the community is very Caucasian. So there are
temporary foreign workers who come in, but a lot of the people in that
region may not have had any exposure to people from different cultures.
Of the 14 people, NDPers, who have left to go to the
Greens who joined you [Tuesday], do they share the view that Mr. Singh
will have a very hard time fighting an election in New Brunswick because
he's a Sikh?
I don't have an answer for that either because I never talked to them about this.
Whenever
we talked about joining the Greens, it was more provincially so that we
could bring a legislator to help the people in our communities with the
EI problem and the black hole. And for me specifically, social justice.
We never talked about race.
[NDP MP] Charlie Angus, who sent out a tweet yesterday,
he said: "The failure of NDP leadership to meet with the New Brunswick
team is serious." So he joins you, he shares your concern there. But
then he says, "The fact that some New Brunswick NDP jumped ship because
they wouldn't run under a progressive leader who comes from another
religion is sickening. Good riddance. Go to Elizabeth May." What do you
say to Charlie Angus?"
Keep listening to your political
staff because that would be the exact advice that I would be giving if
my party is in trouble — to have the personal attacks on people.
And that's what you regard this as being?
Oh, of course.
Do you think it would have helped had [Singh] come to the province?
If
he would have taken the time to come in and meet in these different
communities, after meeting him myself, I know that that would have made a
difference.
Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview produced by Kevin Robertson. Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is a practising Sikh and wears a turban. (Christopher Katsarov/Canadian Press)
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May issued
a statement Wednesday saying "there is no room for any kind of
racism" in her party after a recent convert made comments about NDP
Leader Jagmeet Singh.
On Tuesday, more than a dozen former New
Brunswick NDP candidates threw their support behind the provincial and
federal Greens. One of the defectors — Jonathan Richardson, the former
federal NDP executive member for Atlantic Canada — said racism was one
of the reasons for the party's lack of success in finding candidates
with an election call imminent.
He said he travelled around the
province to meet NDP members and found there's "a bit of racism
undertone," particularly in the northern part of the province.
"From
when I was up in the [Acadian] peninsula, I would say that a lot of
that region that most people would be a bit worried about somebody who
wasn't, you know, wasn't Caucasian, and that's going to take some time
to show people that, you know, Canadians come in all cultures and
diversities," he said. "But for right now I think that that racism still
exists."
Singh is a practising Sikh and wears a turban.
Singh
said all national party leaders should be celebrating Canadian
diversity and that May needs to explain why she has let the former New
Democrats into her party.
"She's taking in candidates that have
kind of openly expressed their concern around someone looking
differently and that being a challenge," Singh said in Toronto on
Wednesday evening. "If she is accepting people that are suggesting
things that are not accepting of people's diversity, then the Green
Party has a lot to answer for."
"I think our political leaders
should embrace the diversity of our country and should be willing to say
you can look like whatever you are as long as you share the values and
beliefs that are going to make peoples' lives better."
NDP MP
Charlie Angus tweeted that "the fact that some N.B. NDP jumped ship
because they wouldn't run under a progressive leader who comes from
another religion is sickening."
Karl Belanger, a former national director of the NDP, also weighed in, tweeting that it's "not a good look, New Greens."
May
issued a statement Wednesday saying Richardson's comments "were taken
out of context and have led to accusations of racism against the party."
"One of the core values of Greens around the world is respect for diversity and human rights," she said.
"There
is absolutely no room for any form of discrimination in the Green
Party. We have zero tolerance for sexism, Islamophobia, misogyny,
homophobia or hate speech of any kind. Canada's strength lies in its
diversity."
New
Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon said he doesn't share Jonathan
Richardson's opinion; that in his experience, most New Brunswickers are
'very accepting.' (CBC)
New
Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon said he hasn't had a chance to
speak to Richardson since he made the comments, but he contends they've
been "overblown" and "exploited" by people trying to "blunt the impact"
of 14 NDP candidates joining the Greens all at once.
"What
I heard him say basically was he ran into some people who had ignorant
attitudes and held prejudices against people of colour or people of
different religions," he said.
"It's
not a news flash racism and prejudice exists in Canada, and
it's abhorrent and we need to work to stand up to it and stamp it out."
Coon said he travels the province regularly and, in his experience, "most" New Brunswickers are "very accepting."
Jonathan
Richardson, the federal NDP's former executive member for Atlantic
Canada, joined 14 former NDP candidates in jumping ship Tuesday from the
increasingly beleaguered party. (CBC)
The
NDP hasn't held a seat in the New Brunswick legislature since 2005. Its
last MP in the province was Acadie-Bathurst's Yvon Godin, who retired
in 2015.
Richardson told CBC News Tuesday there are other
factors behind NDP's diminished standing in New Brunswick — including
the fact that Singh hasn't set foot in the province since winning the
leadership in 2017, the election planning committee's focus on "urban
areas that are diverse," and a lack of staffing.
Coon said
he doesn't believe racism has played a role in the NDP's troubles in the
province. He contends the NDP has been struggling in New Brunswick
since Elizabeth Weir stepped down as provincial party leader in the
mid-2000s.
"So
it's been a long process where they've found significant challenges in
resonating with the people of our province. And so I think that it's not
just one issue," he said.
New
Brunswick Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers said he "couldn't disagree more"
with Richardson's comments, which he said imply that New Brunswickers
are "inherently racist."
"The New Brunswick I know welcomes and embraces people of all backgrounds," he said in a statement.
"These comments are wrong, embarrassing for the province and should be embarrassing for Green Party Leader David Coon."
Coon,
whose Green Party is enjoying a boom in support, securing three seats
in the 2018 provincial election, said Richardson will have to take
responsibility for his words. "It's his point of view and he's the one
who's going to have to defend that."
Late
Wednesday, Richardson posted the text of his speech on Facebook, "for
those out there who are wondering and asking questions."
Richardson
said he will not be answering questions from the general public or
media, but would be "happy to have a conversation" with any of his
friends.
With files from Harry Forestell, Information Morning Saint John and the Canadian Press
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May: "Mr. Singh must understand that the first rule of leadership is to show up." (Ben Nelms/CBC)
The federal NDP and Greens traded accusations Thursday over the
apparent defections of some former New Brunswick NDP provincial
candidates, capping off two days of squabbling between the progressive
parties over the extent of the NDP exodus and the motivations of those
involved.
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh accused the Greens of
spreading misinformation about the number of defections from the
provincial wing of his party, while Green Party Leader Elizabeth May
said Singh's party used "strong-arm tactics" to push some would-be
defectors to stay in the party fold or risk putting Singh in a bad
light.
In a strongly worded statement sent to reporters
Thursday, May said seven of the 14 former provincial NDP candidates will
stay with the New Brunswick Green Party after making the swap on
Tuesday, as most of the group have since "rejected these strong-arm
tactics and will continue to support the Greens."
A
spokesperson for the NDP said they used no such tactics, as some of the
so-called defectors were never prepared to leave the NDP in the first
place.
The spokesperson said a number of the supposed defectors
gave interviews to CBC News denying they were leaving the party before
ever speaking to NDP operatives.
"This is false," Melanie
Richer said of the Green accusations. "Most people we spoke to told us
they were shocked and angered that their name appeared on a list without
their consent. It's troubling that instead of admitting their mistake
and apologizing to these people, the Greens are continuing to push false
information."
On Tuesday, provincial Green Party Leader David
Coon appeared at a press conference with former New Democrats
who claimed that 14 candidates for the provincial NDP in the last
provincial election, along with federal executive member Jonathan
Richardson, were jumping ship, unhappy with Singh's lack of focus on Atlantic Canada.
However, the
New Brunswick NDP said Thursday that five of its 15 members alleged to
have left the party for the Greens are doing no such thing.
May
also rejected a suggestion made by former federal NDP executive member
Jonathan Richardson that racism might be undermining support for Singh,
who is Sikh.
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May "has a lot to answer for." (CBC)
"Indeed,
it may be a horrible reality that some people will not vote NDP because
they are racist. I condemn these attitudes. But it is quite wrong to
attack anyone who is disillusioned with the NDP by saying that the only
reason they are disillusioned is because they are racist," May said in
the statement.
May also took aim at Singh for never setting foot
in the province since being elected federal leader of the NDP —
including during the last provincial election.
"Mr. Singh must
understand that the first rule of leadership is to show up. I have
visited New Brunswick three times since Mr. Singh became leader. In
fact, I have visited every province and one territory in the last seven
months. I would like to ask Mr. Singh, since he had no seat for the
first 18 months of his leadership — therefore freer than me — why he was
absent."
May said Singh also skipped the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) annual general meeting, which was held in Fredericton last July.
"No
wonder New Brunswick NDPers were disillusioned," May continued. "Being a
federal party leader is hard work. And you have to show up. It is for
Mr. Singh to determine his priorities. I will not attack him. But it
certainly would discourage his membership to never see their leader."
When asked Thursday why he's not spending time in New Brunswick, Singh said he's on a tight schedule.
"There's a lot of places that I wish I could visit. It's a
really big country," Singh said in an interview with CBC New Brunswick,
adding he spent time as a child in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"I'm going to continue to do my best to visit every part of this beautiful country. I'm going to keep on trying."
Francis
Duguay, who ran for the NDP in Tracadie-Sheila in the New Brunswick
election a year ago, told Radio-Canada on Thursday that he was stunned
when he learned from a journalist that his name was on a declaration of
support for the Green Party.
Francis Duguay ran for the NDP in Tracadie-Sheila in the September 2018 provincial election. (Facebook/Francis Duguay)
"I'm shocked because it was done without my knowledge," Duguay said in French.
He
said New Democrat Joyce Richardson, a former provincial candidate for
the party herself, contacted him on Monday night — mere hours before the
defections were announced — to float the idea of merging the two
left-leaning parties in the province.
Contacted by CBC News,
Joyce Richardson said she was clear in her conversations with NDP
members that she was talking about joining the Greens, not merging the
parties.
"It was very clear because we weren't merging," she
said. "It wouldn't have told them something that wasn't it. My
understanding is that they misunderstood me. So I'll leave it at that."
On
Tuesday morning, Jonathan Richardson, the federal NDP's executive
member for Atlantic Canada and Joyce Richardson's son, announced that he
and 14 former NDP candidates would be supporting the Green Party
provincially and federally.
Jonathan Richardson was the federal NDP's executive member for Atlantic Canada, until Tuesday. (CBC)
Richardson
also claimed racism in some regions of New Brunswick was affecting
perceptions of Singh, a Sikh, and undermining the party's chances in the
region.
"That was always going to be an issue," Richardson
said. "I remember bringing that up a lot of times during the election
planning committee — how are you going to deal with, first of all, the
racism.
There is an undertone of racism that exists in this country and
that's just inevitable."
Duguay said he never agreed to cross over or to sign a declaration of support for the Greens.
"Then
I learn my name is on the list, without having signed any paper," said
Duguay, who is still president of the NDP association for the provincial
riding of Tracadie-Sheila.
He said no one from the Green Party contacted him directly.
"When
I started thinking about that, I thought, something's wrong there,
because there were all last-minute tactics, and we weren't consulted,"
Duguay said.
Jean-Maurice
Landry was the NDP's most successful candidate in the New Brunswick
election last fall, but no New Democrats were elected to the
legislature. (Jean-Maurice Landry/Facebook)
Jean-Maurice
Landry, who ran for the NDP in Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore,
said he too was contacted by Joyce Richardson this week.
Landry was the party's most successful candidate last
September, winning 30 per cent of the vote in his riding. He said he
expected the announcement this week to be about a merger.
"What was explained to me … was that the press conference was to announce the merger of the NDPs and the Greens," he said.
He said he was shocked to be named among the NDP defectors, and to hear discontent with Jagmeet Singh cited as the reason for the exodus.
"I was totally not in agreement with that," he said.
Landry
and three other NDP candidates — Hailey Duffy, Madison Duffy and Betty
Weir — issued a press release Thursday afternoon confirming they still
support the NDP.
"We are disappointed that our names were added to this letter without our consent," said the statement.
"We
were proud to represent the New Brunswick NDP in the last election as
candidates, and continue to be proud to support the NB NDP — both
provincially and federally."
The racism claim
At a campaign event in Toronto on Thursday morning, Singh was asked about the defectors.
"The Green Party wasn't as accurate with their information as folks would have liked them to be," he told reporters.
"It
turns out that some of their information was not true. I think, really,
(federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth) May has a lot to answer for."
Politics News
Singh blames Greens for New Brunswick candidate confusion
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh spoke to reporters in Montreal on Thursday 1:24
Singh also said Richardson's comments about race would be troubling to Canadians.
"And
I think that he's counted out New Brunswick," Singh said. "It's not my
experience when I speak with people from Atlantic Canada."
Landry
said he was uncomfortable with Richardson's comments about race, though
he admitted he has encountered '"a bit" of racism in New Brunswick
against the leader.
"In such situations you don't leave your
leader, you get behind your leader," he said. "In leaving, what you're
doing is you're basically in agreement with those that are using racism
as a way to play politics."
Corrections
A
previous version of this story said six members of the New Brunswick
NDP said Thursday they were not leaving the party. In fact, five of the
15 people originally described as defectors by the provincial Greens
have confirmed they are still members of the NDP.
Reply to @Kevin Delaney:
Actually it seems to me that neither of these parties could organize a freebie in a cat house, never mind a government.
Kevin Delaney
Reply to @Greg Zanounou:
Well... as to things that might be free in houses populated by cats... I
have no comment. :) However, I would agree that neither is capable of
offering a coast to coast to coast vision of how a confederation could
unite to offer a functioning economy at either the National or
International level. Let alone a viable respected adult foreign policy
that would inspire other like minded nations to join with us in solving
some critical problems facing the World.
More
than a dozen provincial New Democrats in New Brunswick are shifting
their support to the Green Party of Canada and N.B. Green Party Leader
David Coon. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Fourteen disgruntled former New Brunswick NDP candidates are
defecting and throwing their support behind the provincial and federal
Greens — a move unlikely to spark confidence in the federal New
Democrats on the cusp of an election call.
The ex-New Democrats
announced their exodus at a news conference in Moncton this afternoon
alongside provincial Green Party Leader David Coon.
In their
declaration of support, the members note that federal Green Party Leader
Elizabeth May has visited New Brunswick, while NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh
hasn't set foot in the province since winning the leadership back in
2017.
The
former New Democrats say they support the Green Party of Canada "and
encourage all New Democrats, New Brunswickers and, indeed, all Canadians
in voting for the Green Party of Canada this election."
The
shift means Singh's NDP can't turn to any of those provincial candidates
to run in federal ridings in the upcoming election campaign. The
federal party doesn't have any candidates nominated in New Brunswick at
the moment, according to the party's website.
The former provincial candidates who are leaving are:
Joyce Richardson, NDP candidate for Dieppe in 2018.
Lise Potvin, NDP candidate for Shediac-Beaubassin-Cap-Pele in 2018.
Willy Robichaud, NDP candidate for Miramichi Bay-Neguac in 2018.
Albert Rouselle, NDP candidate for Shippagan-Lameque-Miscou in 2018.
Anne Richardson, NDP candidate for Petitcodiac-Gagetown in 2018.
Justin Young, NDP candidate for Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton in 2018.
Jean-Maurice Landry, NDP candidate for Bathurst Est-Nepisiguit-Saint Isidore in 2018.
Jessica Caissie, NDP candidate for Moncton-Centre in 2018.
Lina Chiasson, NDP candidate for Victoria-La Vallee in 2018.
Cecile Richard-Hebert, NDP candidate for Madawaska-Les Lacs-Edmundston in 2018.
Francis Duguay, NDP candidate for Tracadie-Sheila in 2018.
Hailey Duffy, NDP candidate for Moncton Southwest in 2018.
Madison Duffy, NDP candidate for Riverview in 2018.
Betty Weir, NDP candidate for Albert in 2018.
Jonathan
Richardson, a member of the NDP's national executive representing
Atlantic Canada, is also leaving the team for the Greens.
"In
New Brunswick, the NDP does not have a path to victory," Richardson
said. "There are no candidates for the NDP in New Brunswick or P.E.I.
for the federal election.
"I actually just received a call from
the organizer, you know, pleading for my help to keep finding these
candidates and I said, you know, at the end of the day this is the
decision I've made.
"Obviously they're not pleased. I'm not thrilled to be saying to my friends that I'm going to be moving on."
Politics News
New Brunswick NDPers defect to Greens
Jonathan Richardson, a
member of the federal NDP's election planning committee in New
Brunswick, announces the defection of himself, and fourteen former NDP
candidates, to the Greens. 0:47
The NDP's
director of communications, Mélanie Richer, told CBC News those
disaffected ex-New Democrats who joined the Greens will have some
explaining to do if the election delivers an outcome their supporters
don't want.
"If these people are not interested in helping
people make ends meet by bringing in a national pharmacare program right
away … that's up to them to explain," she said. "If these people are
comfortable in supporting a Conservative government led by Andrew Scheer
uplifted by Elizabeth May's Greens, that's also up to them to explain.
Richer insisted the party is on track to "nominate a full slate of candidates" in New Brunswick.
"We're
currently scheduling nomination meetings for six of those 10 ridings by
the end of next week. Everyone in New Brunswick will be able to vote
for an NDP MP who will work to immediately bring in a national
pharmacare program and will always put people's interests first," she
said.
It's not clear if any of the defectors will run for the
Greens federally. The Green Party has nominated candidates already in
more than half of the ridings in New Brunswick.
According to the CBC's Canada Poll Tracker,
an aggregation of all publicly available polling data, New Democrats
are polling at roughly 13 per cent nationwide and around 10 per cent in
Atlantic Canada.
The NDP has been voiceless in the New Brunswick
legislature since 2005, while the Green Party is enjoying a boom in
support. Coon's Greens secured three seats in the 2018 provincial
election, tying with the People's Alliance.
"I am joining the
Green Party of Canada and New Brunswick and I invite my NDP colleagues
to do the same," Richardson said. "The Green Party of Canada has been
steadfast in their beliefs, never flip-flopping on achieving their
goal."
With files from the CBC's Chris Hall and CBC New Brunswick
3638 Comments after many deletions and the comment section is still open
3557 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Methinks
if Singh plays his cards right and turns this news around by nominating
some people in New Brunswick ASAP one or two could get elected because
everybody is tired of the same old same old N'esy Pas?
Chris Halford Singh has been a disaster for the NDP. Another example of style over substance.
David Amos
Reply to @Chris Halford: True
David Amos Methinks
I could not make this up if I tried but it is one heck of headline to
read as i ponder about whether or not other folks know how dumb
political lawyers are N'esy Pas?
"Elizabeth May accuses NDP of using 'strong-arm tactics' to force defectors back into the fold"
WOW
David Amos
Content disabled
Methinks the moderators will be busy tonight covering up the major faux pas N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
Methinks the plot thickens rather nicely way past closing time for this comment section N'esy Pas?
Chris Bowdler Whi checked the sources for this article?
David Amos
Reply to @chris bowdler: Methinks folks should scroll down before my words go "Poof" N'esy Pas?
Chris Bowdler Apparently this is fake news?
David Amos
Reply to @chris bowdler: My words are true
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: Too bad so sad that folks can't see them all
David Amos Methinks
anyone can review my comments in order see that I have the right to say
I told ya so about the Richardson Clan N'esy Pas?
Rick
Botting I
find it personally very disturbing that criticism of Mr. Singh is being
branded as racism every time it comes up. Since being selected as
leader of the NDP he has made some (to me) rather disturbing remarks. He
certainly has not (when questioned) condemned the Air India bombing.
He has also indicated that his religion plays a large roll in his
decision making. The "average" canadian voter would listen to this and
realize that they did not favour this candidate. I allow that there
logically must be some voters who are influenced by racism but many are
simply not ready for a culture change in Ottawa that would leave one
particular religious group with that kind of influence. The NDP have
blundered and now raise the racist flag instead of responding with
clear-headed explanations after LISTENING to what people are actually
saying.
David Amos
Reply to @Rick
Botting: Trust that Mr. Singh know exactly and his many cohorts know who
I am and why I have run for public office 6 times thus far. . Methinks
everybody knows that Mr. Singh is just another sneaky political lawyer
to me just like the white christian ones such as Rob Moore are. (Whom I
am running against again as soon as the writ is dropped)
Furthermore if anybody bothers to read history they should have respect
for Singh's religion If you check history there were some very bad guys
who professed to be Christian. Hence who are we to judge anyone on their
race or religion.
That said I am certain that many will agree that you are correct to be
disturbed by politicians on what they say and what they don't say N'esy
Pas?
David Amos Reply
to @David Amos: Methinks Mr Singh was a clever lawyerto not to say
much about this topic and leave it in the lap of the other lawyer Madame
May N'esy Pas?
Steven Scott The
NDP along with the conservatives will be looking for a new party
leader, NDP make a huge mistake by outing Mulcair, the conservatives
well 13th pick says it all ......
David Amos
Reply to @Steven Scott: i disagree and disgree
Methinks Mulcair was a liberal shill and the NDP were wise to finally be
rid of him Their mistake is in the process they use to pick their
leader It opens the door for human greed to interfere and a sneaky
lawyer to seized the job by merely enrolling lots of buddies. On the
other hand the 13th pick was chosen by the Conservatives in a democratic
fashion and it was quite a hoot to watch them pick the proper Clown
(Whom many call Harper 2.0) for the Circus N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply
to @David Amos: I meant to write I disagree and agree but I was typing
fast in order to post my replies before the comment section finally gets
around to closing
David Amos Methinks it would be a hoot if Singh joined Dizzy Lizzy's party too N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks that is never gonna happen now N'esy Pas?
Dwayne
Rose They're
all about diversity until it becomes the face of the party, now they're
the rats jumping off the barge. At least May isn't fussy about where
her scraps come from.
Carol Weideman
Reply to @Dwayne
Rose: It does not matter what part of the country you come from many
people who vote NDP will not be voting for them. They will be voting
Green. The reason why is not something the NDP executive will talk about
and it needs to be talked about and address before the election.
David Amos
Reply to @Dwayne Rose: True
David Amos
Reply to @Carol Weideman: Methinks they are way past too late N'esy Pas?
Rick
Botting Reply
to @Carol Weideman: I agree with you. We have to be able to talk about
the difficult things as well as the partisan crap. I am one who might
have voted NDP considering how that might work strategically but early
on chose the Greens and have found no reason to change my decision as
yet. Peter Manchak Reply to @Rick Botting: So your vote is not for you but an agenda...Sad IMO
David Amos
Reply to @Rick
Botting: Methinks you really should consider Independents now that the
beans have been spilled on the Greens N'esy Pas?
Vincent Bobb Greens
took much of the NDP platform with a more socialist view or was it the
Liberals who took the Greens platform? Doesn't matter now....... David Amos
Reply to @Vincent Bobb: Methinks it never did N'esy Pas?
Rick
Botting Reply
to @Vincent Bobb: I have a dear friend who is convinced that E. May is a
conservative in her heart of hearts. Who knows? We may discover that
the Conservatives and the Greens may find themselves forming a Coalition
that is more agreeable to them than either side realizes at the moment.
I cannot stand the thought that the Liberals get back in. They do not
deserve to.
David Amos
Reply to @Rick
Botting: Methinks your dear friend is correct about Madame May Lots of
political pundits must remember her pal Lisa taking her from the stage
when Dizzy Lizzy spouted off too much and how often she sings Mulroney's
praises N'esy Pas?
Rick
Botting
Reply to @David Amos:
I cannot vote Conservative as they taught me all about Omnibus bills
wherein years of environmental "work" was erased hidden in a Budget Bill
during the Harper admin. I do like what I have seen of Lisa Rait
(spelling?) though. You are right those two women seem to be friends if
you observe them together through the window of CBC.
David Amos
Reply to @Rick
Botting: Methinks folks should do as i do Simply put your name on the
ballot and debate the people who want to speak for you in the next
parliament
If you don't like any of them then you should vote for yourself Hell you
may even get elected because many folks are as confused and POed as you
are N'esy Pas?
Colin Beck The
United States believes in "the separation of church & state." ___
Up until about 1960 the precepts of governance set forth by the original
Christian pilgrims in the American colonies seemed to hold the fabric
of America's communities together. However, since 1960 the U.S.
government has infringed more and more upon the precepts of the
Christian Church. That is far more likely to usher in a time of
tribulation in the market place than a mere correction in the stocks. David Amos
Reply to @Colin Beck: Methinks you forgot to make a point N'esy Pas?
Vincent Bobb Greens=Venezuela David Amos
Reply to @Vincent Bobb: Yea Right
Richard A
Petrella @Vincent Bobb - you mean the country that went bananas because the price of oil bottomed out?
David Amos
Reply to @Richard A
Petrella: Methinks that the same county that the Yankees have taken an
issue with because the ghosts of Chavez and Castro are still haunting
them bigtime N'esy Pas?
Colin Beck The
League of Nations and the United Nations are modern-day versions of the
Tower of Babel. When Justin announced to the United Nations; "Guess
what, we're back!" What he was really saying was that the Canadian
people would be right back "tout suite" doing their part at The Tower of
Babel. __ However, as head honcho of the muddled Canadian masses
Justinian's work description says; "No work at the Tower or Sweat Lodge
at any time" so of course, he won't be there!
David Amos
Reply to @Colin Beck: Methinks its way past your bedtime N'esy Pas?
Alan MacLean If it isn't already, this soon will be all about Mr Singh as leader, but don't worry, we won't be allowed to mention it here.
David Amos
Reply to @Alan MacLean: True
David Amos I
would wager thin Canadian dimes to fat Yankee petrodollars that many
political pundits recall in 2004 the lawyer Joyce Richardson a former
wannabe NDP leader was a Conservative who wanted to run against me in
Fundy Royal instead of Rob Moore. I have no doubt her son Jonathan who
was assisting another former NDP leader Jennifer MacKenzie in 2015 when
we crossed paths was once a Conservative as well. Methinks this Clan
could turn into liberals before they are done playing at politicking
N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: Enjoy
"The former leader of the New Brunswick NDP says a former national
executive switching to the Green Party along with 14 former candidates
was a retaliation move.
Along with the 14 previous candidates, Jonathan Richardson, a national
executive member who has worked for the NDP, made the move as well.
“He’s been an inside organizer for the party for a very long time,”
former New Brunswick NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie said Thursday. “He’s
recruited people and those are predominantly the people who are
following him.”
McKenzie says knowing what happened inside the party, she’s not surprised the move was made.
“He orchestrated to try to put his mother in as leader, and this is what he’s doing because that didn’t work out for him.
“So that’s where this is coming from, that’s who people are following
over to the Greens,” said McKenzie, adding that the rebuild of the
provincial NDP will be easier with a clean slate."
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Oh My My Why block the truth?
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Methinks everybody knows those words by the former NDP leader were published by Global N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Methinks the words CBC blocked yesterday are even more relevant today N'esy Pas?
Malcolm Underhill Dumb to Dumber
David Amos
Reply to @malcolm underhill: Oh So True
David Amos Reply to @malcolm underhill: Methinks those words are even more true with the latest news N'esy Pas?
Richard A
Petrella maybe these geniuses should've told the Greens they were "defecting" to them first.. and why.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard A
Petrella: Methinks the Greens would not care anyway They are just as
overjoyed as the liberals are that it made the news before the writ is
dropped N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply to @Richard A Petrella: What difference a day makes for Madame May EH?
Bernie Hunter Surely not all 14 are racists Charlie Angus. Plenty of voters are also jumping ship to Greens including me.
David Amos
Reply to @Bernie Hunter: Methinks even more Conservatives are happy to read your revelation N'esy Pas?
Carol Weideman Reply
to @David Amos: N'esy Pas? What does that mean? I know "ne sais pas"
means "I do not know" in French but n'est Pas? Sorry, could you
elaborate on that term.
David Amos
Reply to @Carol Weideman: Its Chiac Say it as you read it
Bruce
Farrell If the CBC was at the press conference,they sure prettied up this story for some reason,
this,from the Canadian Press report
"Richardson said racism is a major reason the party can't find candidates.
The former NDP executive member said he travelled around the province
often to meet members, and "the racism card came up a lot — especially
in the northern part of the province."
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is a practising Sikh and he wears a turban.
"I knew this was going to be a major issue and I did bring that to the
election planning committee. That, you know, there is going to have to
be a some discussion about race. Because it wasn't going well,"
Richardson said in an interview Tuesday.
He said some potential NDP candidates were hesitant to run because they
thought the electorate wouldn't vote for a party whose leader wore a
turban. "That was probably a major, a reason that they felt people
wouldn't want to vote for them because that would hold them back."
I can't imagine all the New Brunswickers North of Moncton will
appreciate being collectively branded as racists .I hope Richardson will
be held accountable by Ms May for running off at the mouth in this
manner.There was no slip of the tongue here---he practically wrote a
book.
Benjamin Dover
Reply to @Bruce Farrell: Or they could give Richardson his own exclusive interview on As It Happens.
David Amos
Reply to @Bruce
Farrell: Methinks CBC will agree that many folks heard Richardson say
those words on the CBC radio airwaves in the Fredericton area at the
very least N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Bruce Farrell: Furthermore CBC now has an article about the issue you raised
"Late Wednesday, Richardson posted the text of his speech on Facebook,
"for those out there who are wondering and asking questions."
Richardson said he will not be answering questions from the general
public or media, but would be "happy to have a conversation" with any of
his friends."
Carol Weideman Reply
to @Bruce Farrell: What he said is true and it is not just in New
Brunswick but other parts of the country I am sorry to say.
Maggie Leard
well
for sure nobody in NB is going to vote for NDP candidates.....so the
greens will benefit. but unfortunately the liberal party mafia is out
promising promising ..anything that will pay for voting liberal party.!
new brunswick is divided ....the north voting liberal so they will keep
being entitled to their entitlements under a trudeau liberal
government...the south NB voters are concerned with the debts liberals
have already rung up...and who will pay this baggage. the south is the
economic engine of NB as well. NB has so many MPseats and according to
liberal party will give liberals a majority government. buying the votes
is a time honoured tradition in new brunswick..starting before
confederation and the whiskey trade!
David Amos
Reply
to @Maggie Leard: Methinks somebody should inform you that thus far
there are no NDP candidates to vote for in the upcoming federal election
because Richardson could not find anyone who wished to be nominated.
This article clearly states that the NDP members who joined the Greens
today were the losers in the last provincial election N'esy Pas?
JJ Carrier
They are down to 13...One of them has announced he is staying loyal to the NDP...Got the press release 25 minutes ago...
JJ Carrier
Reply to @JJ Carrier: CBC will be doing an update with the candidate Thursday
David Amos
Reply
to @JJ Carrier: Methinks you are not much of a reporter if you can't
spill the beans as to who it is until CBC informs us N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply to @JJ Carrier: Has the cat still got your tongue?
David Amos Reply to @JJ Carrier: Methinks the cat is out of the bag now N'esy Pas/
Jean-Maurice Landry and three other NDP candidates Hailey Duffy, Madison
Duffy and Betty Weir issued a press release Thursday afternoon
confirming they still support the NDP.
Richard
Donald
Content disabled
Trying to get around the censors to state an obvious fact:
95%+ of Green Party candidates are Caucasians.
and that % goes up with the influx of the NB NDP candidates into the Green ranks.
Nora Abercrombie
Content disabled
Reply to @Richard
Donald: Really good point. The fact is that each Green Party Electoral
District Association is instructed to actively seek out diverse
candidates. In our constituency of Battle River -Crowfoot we try hard
and we will keep trying to create representation for all Canadians.
Thanks for your excellent comment.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Richard Donald: Cry me a river
Vincent Bobb
Content disabled Reply to @Richard Donald: more over should be labeled as Reds/ Marxist?
Chantal LeBouthi
The NDP leader did not even bother to visit NB poeples so not much to add
David Amos
Reply
to @Chantal LeBouthi: Methinks Yvon Godin will have a lots to say about
Mr Richardson and his cohorts in short order just as Jennifer McKenzie
already did N'esy Pas?
Dwight Mullover
What does this tell
you? It tells me there's no loyalty. These people see the Greens
gaining ground over the NDP and their best chance to win so they jump
ship for another party. Selfish political wannabes.
Nora Abercrombie
Reply to @Dwight Mullover: Or maybe they believe science and choose survival. There is always that.
David Amos Reply
to @Dwight Mullover: Methinks that true loyalty is a rare thing to be
found within political parties in particular. Everything political is
always about the money N'esy Pas?
Vincent Bobb Reply to @Dwight Mullover: Greens took much of NDP platform
Daniel Rawlins Once
again we see political ideology is no barrier to self gratification and
a nice paying job with a fantastic pension and benefits plan and not
really about a strong desire to serve the public.
David Amos
Reply to @Daniel Rawlins: Methinks its par for the course N'esy Pas?
Bob Claxton
This is a serious solution to a number of things.
Serving the people however is not one of them.
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Claxton: True
Colin Beck
The first ones to take the Yellow Brick Road were the ones who won the pot of gold at the end of the runway
David Amos
Reply to @Colin Beck: Not true
Jonathan
Moddle
There
is one thing I can't help but notice that no one is willing to discuss
or acknowledge. There seems to be a great deal of mistrust and
skepticism around Singh, who polls even lower in "trust" than any other
party leader, yet he has not been accused of ethic violations, or of
spreading fake news or playing dirty politics etc etc. I wonder why that
could be...is there something different about him? hmm? No one want to
talk about it but I can't help but feel Singh and the NDP is hurting due
to the underlying racism in this country. Sure there's other factors
why the NDP are not doing so well, but the mistrust and at times blatant
hatred and misunderstanding of Singh shows there's other reasons why he
is struggling, sadly.
David Amos
Reply to @Jonathan
Moddle: Methinks its because he is a lawyer and a politician just like
two of the other party leaders Not many folks trust either professions
N'esy Pas?
Fred Turnip Content disabled
New Brunswick is anything but Green. They use Saudi oil and burn it to heat their homes.
David Amos Content disabled
Reply to @fred turnip: Methinks its rather obvious that there is a lot you don't know about New Brunswick N'esy Pas?
Colin Beck A little Green Munchkin told them to follow the Yellow Brick Road. ___ Makes sense!
David Amos
Reply to @Colin Beck: Methinks everybody knows the reason why I always do N'esy Pas?
Greg Anderson battle for 3rd.
Jonathan Moddle
Reply to @Greg Anderson: who may very well decide which government to prop up
Benjamin Dover
Reply to @Greg
Anderson: The Greens hold the balance of power in more than one province
with only a few seats. 3rd place can be just as powerful as 1st.
Greg Anderson
Reply to @Jonathan Moddle: scary, but true.
Vaino Lund
Reply to @Greg Anderson: as ALex BUrrows says "You gots to work hard in da turd"
David Amos
Reply to @Greg Anderson: Well put
David Amos
Reply to @Vaino Lund:
Methinks the unionized sewage workers never get any credit no matter
how much we depend on them N'esy Pas?
Buford Wilson Jagmeet will overcome this matter. With ease.
He’s one of the most capable leaders I know.
Let’s move on.
Vaino Lund
Reply to @Buford Wilson: Have you met the smoking crater that he was the leader of lately?
David Amos
Reply to @Buford Wilson: Now thats funny
James Reed I'm
not sure what the story is here - only 3 of those 14 got over 10% of
the vote in their riding, most not getting over 5%... in a lot of cases,
less than the Green candidate that did run in that riding.
Brent Thompson Reply to @James Reed: Exactly!
David Amos
Reply to @James Reed: BINGO
Peter Vanderkellin Liberals
also having trouble holding on to candidates. Smart, good people just
don't want to be associated with justin's L eyez, corruption and crime.
David Amos
Reply to @Peter Vanderkellin: YUP
Aman Singh How come CBC hasn't covered the Racism brought up by Richardson?
He's directly quoted in National Post and The Star regarding Racism issues.
Does CBC lack effective reporting or is it selective reporting?
Robert Romano
Reply to @Aman Singh:
They can only publish stories the are positive towards Trudeau and approved first by the PMO!
Benjamin
Dover
Reply to @Robert Romano: How is this story "positive towards Trudeau"?
David Amos
Reply to @Aman Singh:
Methinks they covered that base correctly out of the gate but nobody
noticed so they are expanding the issue bigtime today N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Benjamin
Dover: Methinks its rather obvious that it is taking the wind of the NDP
sails I bet lots of former NDP supporters would vote for Trudeau the
Younger rather than the Conservative supporting lawyer Madame May no
matter what the mindless Richardson Clan suggests N'esy Pas?
Christian de Cruce The
NDP left their conservative blue collar working persons roots and
issues decades ago. They have been declining ever since. When my wife's
union would call the house and poll who we were voting for, and clearly
suggest she should be supporting the NDP the nail was in the coffin for
this desperate party.
David Amos
Reply to @Christian de Cruce: YUP
Jan Lenova Either the Greenvoters are being had, or the Corporations are being had.
care to guess which one?
David Amos
Reply to @Jan Lenova:
Methinks the Green voters have been had ever since the lawyer Madame
May did the hostile takeover of their party in 2007 N'esy Pas?
Ernie Zimmerman Scheer for Prime Minister in 2019!
Marguerite Deschamps Reply to @Ernie Zimmerman: Sheer idiocy!
David Amos Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you are upset that they didn't join your beloved liberal party N'esy Pas?
Marguerite Deschamps Reply to @David Amos: and you because I would never vote for you!
Mo Bennett Reply to @Ernie Zimmerman: that wood be really stupid. can you spell Ontario, or alberta?
David Amos Reply to @mo bennett: YO MO How do you spell NB?
David Amos Reply
to @mo bennett @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you two will continue to
vote for your beloved liberal party Hence you both must be elated with
this news N'esy Pas?
Jeff Hunt Stick a fork in the NDP. They are cooked!
Bob Rialy Reply to @Jeff hunt: Like a TV dinner.
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Rialy: or done like donut
Guy Stone Reply
to @Adam Smith: the greens arent that left. Thats why i would
consider them... i just wish May didnt announce she would join the
Liberals if they needed to in order to form government. Trudeau with
all his scandals, cheating, paying off media, SNC, etc should be nowhere
near politics in a democracy
David Amos
Reply to @Guy Stone: Methinks many would agree that the lawyer Madame May helps to make the circus entertaining N'esy Pas?
Secret Hamilton This
is going to be a very interesting Federal election. Look for the
Greens to take away votes from the NDP and Liberals. The Conservatives
will benefit.
David Amos Reply to @secret hamilton: I concur
Mo Bennett Reply to @secret hamilton: with Maxie splitting the reformacon vote. what's yer point?
Mo Bennett
Reply to @John Dunn: they are more conservative than neanderthal reformacons.
David Amos
Reply to @mo bennett: YO MO Welcome back to the Circus
Jeff Bonzo Hopefully Atlanta Canada wakes up and votes in Andrew Scheer
David Amos Reply
to @Jeff Bonzo: Methinks it dawns on folks that they should vote for
Independent if there is one on their ballot N'esy Pas?
Peter Boone Reply to @Jeff Bonzo: As long as Trudeau is gone I don't care which other party they vote for.
Yugo Ivanovich
Reply to @Jeff Bonzo:
Why thell us any good reason for voting for Scheer and the
Reform/Alliance Party calling itself "Progressive Conservatives"? What
is Progressive in their election platform"?
David Amos
Reply to @Yugo Ivanovich: Methinks you should ask Bonzo why I sued the Queen when Scheer was the Speaker N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply to @Peter Boone: Me Too
Rees Onable Justin
was 'chased' from the Hamilton Labour Day parade by "workers in the
middle class and those working hard to join it".......
Seems fitting......
Rees Onable Reply
to @Evan Mulligan: CHCH TV and Global covered it. In his rush to leave
his security detail almost ran over a little girl.....
David Amos Reply to @Rees Onable: Interesting
Rees Onable Reply
to @Lily O'Loughlin: Yeah, they waited till he was at the picnic to
chase him away. They only delayed him in the parade.....
Look it up....
Yugo Ivanovich Reply to @Rees Onable: Why are you spreading misinformation? Please provide facts about "chasing"?
Rees Onable
Reply to @Yugo
Ivanovich: Protesters chased Justin from the picnic. In their haste to
leave, Justin's Security Detail almost his a small girl. Saw it on CHCH
and read it in Global. It is not misinformation.....
David Amos Reply to @Yugo Ivanovich: Methinks you should consider all sources N'esy Pas?
Sian Maccauley Once
again, begs the question: why did the NDP choose Singh, with all his
contradictory words and ways, to be their leader. Doomed from the
outset.
David Amos Reply to @sian maccauley: He bought the leadership
Jeff Bonzo
Reply to @sian maccauley: The party was "hijacked" by 10,000 instant new members.
David Amos
Reply to @Jeff Bonzo: YUP
Woit
Regnal NDP is done for good..
Cameron Kernick
Reply to @Woit
Regnal: I wouldn't mind if they were done for good but after abandoning
some of their base and having poor leadership they are still polling at
around 15% nationally which is a total mystery to me. There are still
many hard core socialists that believe in the NDP so I think they may
limp around for a number of years but may still emerge as a spoiler 3rd
or 4th party in the future.
David Amos
Reply to @Woit
Regnal: Nope Methinks manyl agree that they will recover just like the
liberals did once they were rid of Iggy N'esy Pas?
Daryll
Mcbain More greens and less liberals is good for Canada.
David Amos Reply to @Daryll Mcbain: I don't disagree
Guy Stone
Reply to @Daryll
Mcbain: i wish May didnt say she would join the Liberals if the
Conservatives ended with a minority... otherwise id vote for her
Roland Wippel
Reply to @Pam Sutton: none of those NDP votes is going CPC. It only helps the Greens or the Liberals.
David Amos
Reply to @Roland Wippel: Methinks the liberals are overjoyed by this news N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Guy Stone:
Methinks everybody knows the Greens are nothing but spin Thats why I am
justified in calling their leader Dizzy Lizzy N'esy Pas?
Nico De Jong By
the time the election rolls around, Singh may be the only one running
for the NDP. He'll be like Lizzy May - a one person party. LOL
David Amos
Reply to @Nico De Jong: Methinks it would be a hoot if Singh joined Dizzy Lizzy's party too N'esy Pas?
Nelson
Reid
The
NDP has never been much of a factor in New Brunswick — these failed
candidates are just jumping ship in the hopes of getting a paycheque.
David Amos
Reply to @Nelson
Reid: I bet some folks recall that not long ago the lawyer Joyce
Richardson the former wannabe NDP leader was a Conservative who wanted
to run against me in Fundy Royal I have no doubt her son Jonathan was a
Conservative too Methinks they could turn into liberals before they are
done N'esy Pas?
No comments:
Post a Comment