Jennifer McCreath tells Premier Paul Davis to Mind His Own Business!

Strength in Democracy Candidate for Riding of Avalon, NL, Jennifer McCreath criticizes NL Premier Paul Davis on her latest Youtube video, for suggesting that NL should strategically vote in MPs in an effort to ensure they have at least one MP in the Governing caucus, rather than vote based on the best candidate or other criteria. Jennifer tells Premier Paul to keep out of her business.

Jennifer McCreath
info@jennifermccreath.com
votejennifer.info
709-753-9529

Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet
#nlpoli

Jennifer McCreath wants "Progressive" conservative votes in Avalon, NL!

Strength In Democracy candidate for the riding of Avalon, NL, Jennifer McCreath posted a passionate speech on her Youtube site today. Jennifer has asked for "progressive" conservative voters to jump on board her "Marathon To Democracy" tour.

After introducing herself in the video, she takes people back in time to the glory days of the early 1990s - the days when the Progressive Conservative Party existed and lead Canada's Government. She reminds the viewers of two great Canadians who served in the Cabinet: The Honourable John Crosbie, Minister of Fisheries, and the Honourable Peter McCreath, Minister of Veteran's Affairs.

Jennifer then fast-forwards back to today, when she takes note that the Harper conservatives are nothing like the Progressive Conservatives. She notes that Harper has not only stuck his nose into the business of local riding association reps who recommended that Ches Crosbie run for the party, but took note that similar interference has taken place elsewhere. Jennifer pleas with the voters to not plug their nose and "vote for which ever puppet Stephen Harper decides to run as a candidate".

Jenn also takes note that she is well aware of the concerns many people have for the Liberals and NDP parties.  She specifically reminds people of the corruption scandals we say during Liberal Government eras, such as the sponsorship scandal.  She also takes note that Justin Trudeau has been sending mixed messages, depending on which audience he has been talking to as of late.  Jenn also takes note that the Liberals on one hand, claim to be open to the point where they would allow anybody to vote in their leadership race, yet they kick two sitting MPs out of caucus over allegations before they had a fair trial. Jenn says Trudeau is "confused" and that the Liberals might "not even know who they are or what they stand for".

Jennifer also makes note of how Thomas Mulcair has made promises to write cheques that McCreath does not think he can cash.  She raises concern how the NDP appear interested in helping "the little guys" but from McCreath's perspective, they only care about people with "big wallets who work for unions and rich lawyers".  Jennifer also reminds viewers of the time Thomas made an endorsement for the 2013 mayoral race of St. John's, long before a campaign had started and long before his endorsed person had made any mention of being even interested in taking the job. McCreath says "Mulcair is just like Harper and Trudeau" in terms of their similarities for interfering in local NL issues.

McCreath says that while it may be too late to send a Crosbie back to Ottawa, it is "darn sure not too late to send a McCreath back to Ottawa."  Jennifer even goes so far to say that she doesn't think Stephen Harper knows "anything about democracy" and that he "sucks". She also insinuates that Justin Trudeau is "confused", and ironically, that the NDP are "not ready" given that they won't even have an Avalon candidate in place until later this month.

Jennifer also took note than none of these leaders mentioned the province of NL during the recent MacLeans Magazine debate, nor talked about NL issues.  McCreath then goes on to announce her Marathon To Democracy tour, in which she will campaign as a candidate for upstart Strength In Democracy party - a party she says has "no party line" and one that will "not muzzle her". She says her role will be to bring the constituents voice directly to Ottawa. She will bring their issues and their solutions, directly to the table.  She also points out that it was a Strength In Democracy candidate, party leader, Jean Francois Fortin, who was the very first person to file nomination papers with Elections Canada, stating that her party is indeed "ready" to bring democracy back to Canadian politics.

Finally, McCreath invites viewers to follow her campaign on her revamped web site VoteJennifer.info.

Questions or Interviews:

Jennifer McCreath
info@jennifermccreath.com
twitter @Jenn_McCreath
facebook.com/votejennifermccreath
votejennifer.info
709-753-9529

Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet

FeD Avalon Candidate McCreath vlogs about debate exclusion & Quebec issues

Forces et Democratie (Strength in Democracy) Avalon, NL candidate, Jennifer McCreath, released a youtube video today in which she discusses how unfair it is for certain major political party leaders to be excluded from so-called all-candidate debates. She specifically speaks about the awkwardness of watching 4 leaders debate Quebec sovereignty issues without the Bloc or Forces et Democratie, at the table.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fp1hdzbU00


Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet

FeD Avalon Candidate McCreath vlogs about Wanting Student Vote

Forces et Democratie (Strength in Democracy) Avalon, NL candidate, Jennifer McCreath, speaks about attending an event on the campus of Memorial University (MUN) and how she was the only candidate from any party to attend. She says students are frustrated that most political parties don't take student issues seriously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYoNi5cCN4M

Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet

FeD Candidate McCreath vlogs about casual nature of her vlogs

Strength In Democracy candidate for Avalon, NL, Jennifer McCreath, explains she wants most of her video blogs (vlogs) to simulate a "kitchen table chat over coffee", and not necessarily appear like formal press conferences that most other politicians only seem to do. McCreath wants the voters to literally get to know her and see her chat about the issues in her normal home environment. This may even include raw footage of her answering the phone at night in her pajamas to talk to reporters!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hg6MWb3Ppg


Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet

Strength In Democracy Candidate McCreath responds to more questions

The following questions came into Jennifer McCreath:

What is your party's position on:

Terrorism?
Support for Israel?
Ukraine?
Government support for Business?
Alternative methods of health care delivery?
Support for the Oil Sands?

Here is Jennifer's response:

What makes our Party unique is that we have very little in the way of cross-the-board stances or positions. We are a coalition of quasi-independent citizens who will have the freedom to take stances on issues based on the opinions and priorities of each local riding.

The party does have a strong emphasis on regional inclusion, and I strongly agree with the importance of making sure Businesses in rural or regional areas, have fair and equal treatment from Government, as those in big cities.

As for the other issues you list, I can certainly share with you my personal perspective, but would seek to poll the electorate with citizen engagement exercises before formulating a stance that I would take to Ottawa on behalf of the Avalon.

Terrorism - I think Canada needs to find a balance between proactively taking steps to protect ourselves vs unnecessarily invading the privacy or its citizens. I feel that Bill C-51 takes things too far as it allows Government quick and easy access to personal information, without having to clearly justify why they need it.

I would also like to see Canada take a stronger role in working with other G7 countries to take steps to prevent terrorism occurring, based on surveillance and assessment work going on outside of Canada.

Israel - the ongoing war situation in Israel is definitely unfortunate. I don't feel it is Canada's role or right to pick sides or get actively involved in the war, although I'd like to see Canada get more involved with their traditional role of being world leaders in peacekeeping activities.

Alternative Health Care delivery - first of all, I'd like to see Canada take a more active role in overseeing and putting some more teeth in the Canada Health Act. Far too often, I see inconsistencies with how each province decides what health care to provide, what procedures will be funded, and how long a waiting list is deemed appropriate. I'd like to see a consistent standard that is audited by federal officials, to ensure that no province is falling below the acceptable standard, or any of the five principles of the Act.

I definitely think provinces need to open their minds and expand their willingness to engage in partnerships with non-government organizations, (either non-profit or even for-profit), in some cases, where it makes sense. If provincial governments are unable to meet an acceptable standard of care in-house, then I'd like to see steps taken to ensure that partnerships with others would be considered, when and where it makes sense to do so.

Oil Sands - Canada has already made significant investments into these projects and it would appear to me that we need to continue to support this industry. At the same time, I think Canada needs to find a careful balance between oil sands production, and environmental damage. To be honest, this is one industry that I need to learn more about, in terms of specifics.

Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet

McCreath to visit MUN Campus during tonight's debate!

With the Strength in Democracy being snubbed from the MacLeans debate tonight, Avalon, NL Candidate, Jennifer McCreath will hope to do the next best thing. She will visit the Breezeway at MUN Campus tonight, who will be airing the debate via web cast.

McCreath looks forward to chatting with the MUN student population about the issues, and making sure that people are aware of the existence of Strength in Democracy, what they stand for, and to acknowledge that they were snubbed from the debate un-democratically. One of McCreath's core focuses during her campaign is to encourage more students to get engaged and involved in politics.

Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet

Big political party leaders disrespectful of democratic principles

Here's an official press release from Strength in Democracy today:

If anyone would like to chat specifically with Jennifer McCreath about these issues, please contact:

Jennifer McCreath
info@jennifermccreath.com
709-753-9529


Big political party leaders disrespectful of democratic principles

Rimouski, August 6 2015 – “We are witnessing very undemocratic behaviors on the part of the leaders of the big political parties in Canada. While this is not a new phenomenon, we’ve not witnessed it as markedly as is now the case. The attitudes of the leaders of the main political parties towards debates and the media suggest a lack of respect for democracy. They act as if they owe no accountability to anyone and as if democracy is there to serve their own self interests and that of their parties rather than to serve the citizens that are being asked to vote October 19th” [translation] declared the leader of Strength in Democracy/Forces et Démocracie and candidate in Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, Jean-François Fortin.

“Ensuring citizens are able to watch and listen to party leaders debate their ideas and their vision is an essential element of a sound democratic society, and more particularly of sound, democratic and fair electoral campaigns. It is not only a right, but should be an obligation to ensure citizens have the information they need to make an informed decision on elections day. When leaders of the main political parties avoid journalists or when they choose the debates they will participate in based on their own self interest and that of their party, they necessarily demonstrate a fundamental lack of respect for democracy and for the citizens they purport to want to represent in the House of Commons. The fact that leaders – particularly the prime minister – decide the format, themes, location and dates of the debates (!) is a strong indicator that our electoral system needs to be fundamentally revisited” [translation] Fortin continued.

Despite slogans calling for change, opposition leaders’ actions speak for themselves and prove that slogans are simply rhetoric. Thomas Mulcair tries to control the media while being wishy-washy about his participation in the debates while Justin Trudeau has been vague about his own participation. Rather than truly wanting to replace the leader of the conservative party, it looks like Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau are seeking to emulate him, warts and all! Have they not yet understood that citizens don’t want Harper anymore? And a bearded Harper or a forty something one won’t do either?

“For Force et Démocracie/Strength and Democracy, the democratic process needs to be as open and as accessible as possible to all citizens. All parties represented in the House of Commons at the time of dissolution should be invited to the debates and no leader should be aloud to hold press conferences to “spin” their partisan lines without also answering a minimum of questions from journalists. If you wish to govern a democratic country, you must respect democratic principles, period” [translation] concluded the leader of Forces et Démocratie/Strength in Democracy Jean-François Fortin.

Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet

BC Acoustic Folk Rockers, Tiger Moon visit St. John's!

British Columbia folk/rock/country artists Tiger Moon are in St. John's, NL this week for several shows. I was fortunate enough to catch the first portion of their free show at the Royal St. John's Regatta yesterday (which they graciously allowed me to video record and post for fan enjoyment). Check them out at TigerMoonMusic.com.

Here's their first batch of tunes from the show at Quidi Vidi Lake!

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9


Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet

McCreath responds to questions from Constituent:

The following questions came into facebook.com/votejennifermccreath:

"Hi Jenn, I have to ask you something. What are your plans for helping those who are on income support, disability and pension? Are you going to help those who have to choose between eating and heating our homes in winter? Those who can't get transportation to and from appointments and have to pay out of pocket for cabs and bus fair? Affordable housing, better drug plan for seniors, better dental plans, more help for parents who have disabled children no matter what their IQ or age. The legalization and fair distribution of medical marijuana for those who need it without being arrested. these are just some of the concerns that need to be addressed. I have sent this to Seamus O'Regan and Earle McCudy with no response."


Here is my response question by question. I encourage everyone to send in questions, and let's get a good dialogue going for the duration of this campaign. Ultimately, I want to hear about your problems, and hear your ideas and solutions, so that I can take them to Ottawa on your behalf, if elected.


What are your plans for helping those who are on income support, disability and pension? Are you going to help those who have to choose between eating and heating our homes in winter?

I definitely think we need to take a closer look at how we do income support, disability support and pensions. If the federal pensions are unfair or inadequate, then the Federal Government needs to take a direct role in reviewing the programs and coming up with solutions that meet the needs of the people who collect these benefits.

As far as the provincial programs (as most income support and disability benefit programs are provincial), I think there is a strong role in which the Federal Government, and/or individual Federal MPs, can work together in collaboration with the province, to make sure that we share information, statistics, and studies, so that we can both work together to make sure that all programs, no matter whether they are federal or provincial, can meet the needs of the citizens.

Finally, if there are cases where the province does not appear willing to offer solutions, then perhaps there is a place for the Federal Government to step in and create and offer additional programs, services, and benefits.

Ultimately, I have serious concern over the fact that the various Provincial Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Federal Governments of Canada, have not gotten along very well over the past ten years. I hope that if elected, I can use my experiences in consensus-building, to help get both governments on the same page, working together, to solve problems. No government should ever simply sit back and say 'that's not our problem'.


What about those who can't get transportation to and from appointments and have to pay out of pocket for cabs and bus fair?

It definitely concerns me to hear that this is still an issue. It is a clear sign that the existing programs in place by the Provincial Government, is not working. Much like the previous question, I will commit to taking a look and see what the Federal Government can do to work with the province to ensure their programs are more comprehensive. Likewise, if there's a way the Federal Government can create programs that would compliment or fill in the gaps left by the province, then this is what I would look to do.

Also, one of the key visions for my party, Strength In Democracy, is to empower the regions, and in this case, I would hope that steps could be taken to build better services in the regions all over Avalon, so that there would be less of a need for citizens to travel to the big city to get what they need out of government health entities.


What about Affordable housing?

Affordable housing was one of the key pillars for which I campaigned on back in 2013 as a candidate in the municipal election. Here was my platform at that time:

- Create incentives for developers to build lost-cost housing units, such as apartment buildings, condos, and townhouses.
- Come up with a fair system that will allow landlords to make sufficient profit, yet not gauging the tenants with excessively high rental increase prices that are above the rates of inflation
- Carefully manage the mill rate so that homeowners are not excessively dealing with tax increases due to the substantial increase in property values

Now, fast forward two years later, and here I am as a Federal candidate, and I still believe in these goals, both for St. john's, and for the entire Avalon peninsula. It would be my intention to work with municipal governments to ensure that they look at these solutions.

I also feel that affordable housing is something that all levels of government need to look at. I think specifically, the Federal Government could look at creating some of their own programs that would create incentives for developers to build low cost housing units in the various regions of the riding of Avalon.


Better drug plan for seniors?

Personally, I think we need better drug plans for everyone who can't afford them. The Canada Health Act has five principles that include public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and accessibility. If the provinces are not delivering health products and services that meet the needs of all citizens, then I think the federal government needs to step in with some sanctions and order power. Nobody should have to go without prescription drugs that are recommended by their doctors.

Ultimately, I think the federal government needs to sit down with the provincial department of health and review their policies and programs, and make recommendations on how it can be improved. I also think the Federal governments need to be given more power to intervene and force the provinces to adhere to these standards, because at this point, they take a very hands-off approach and trust the provinces to run themselves without having to be accountable to anyone.


Better dental plans?

Much like my comments about access to prescription drugs, I have never understood why dental issues were not considered under health care. In my opinion, healthy teeth are a part of a healthy life, and I think dental health care programs should be covered under the provincial health care program, and should fall under the principles of the Canada Health Act. this would be another issue I would add to the agenda for the discussions I would like to see the feds have with the provinces.


The legalization and fair distribution of medical marijuana for those who need it without being arrested?

If a doctor recommends marijuana for medical purposes, then steps need to be taken to ensure the patient has easy access to the product. I would treat this like any other prescription and suggest that the provinces adhere to the same five principles of the Canada Health Act. I was actually under the impression that marijuana was already accepted as legal, when prescribed by a doctor. If there is a specific incident where a patient is having problems, then i'd love to hear more details and i will go to bat for them to rectify the situation.


More help for parents who have disabled children no matter what their IQ or age?

I think this is definitely a case where the Federal government can do more, and should do more. I'd like to review the list of existing services currently provided by the province, and try to come up with some ways in which the federal government can add value, either by giving more funding to new initiatives, or contributing more resources currently in place to collaborate with the province for a better overall list of options. I'd also like to create incentives for non-profit organizations that are currently out there offering services of these nature and potentially come up with new additional federal programs that would allow them do deliver a higher level and higher quality of service.

Jennifer McCreath
Strength In Democracy Candidate - Avalon, NL
info@jennifermccreath.com
709-753-9529
JenniferMcCreath.com
VoteJennifer.info

Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet