Events
Upcoming events
Constituency Dialogue on the Federal Budget and the
Economy
Linda Duncan, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona, will be
speaking to constituents on the federal budget and the economy at 7pm on
Wednesday, September 23rd. The meeting will take place at Bonnie Doon
Hall at 9240-93 St. Everyone is welcome, and refreshments will be
served. Come and let Linda know about your priorities on issues such as
pensions, child care, EI, environmental protection, the Arts, and "green
jobs." Make sure the government knows what you care about!
Selected past events
Click on thumbnail images to enlarge.
Edmonton-Strathcona candidate nomination meeting, September
21, 2009
The Edmonton-Strathcona NDP held our federal candidate nomination
meeting on a particularly warm, summery September night. The riding's
current member of Parliament Linda Duncan was acclaimed as the
candidate, and then we welcomed our out-of-town guest speaker, Meghan
Leslie (MP for Halifax), who spoke to the crowd about everything from
what a Member of Parliament's job is like, to current initiatives in
environmental protection under the provincial NDP government in Nova
Scotia.
The election could be called anytime now, and Linda and her
Edmonton-Strathcona volunteers are off to a great start in the
pre-campaign election work. Please contact Erica at ericab@shaw.ca if
you'd like to join one of the Linda Duncan neighbourhood teams!
End-of-summer barbecue, August 26th,
2009
The Edmonton-Strathcona NDP riding association had a very successful
barbecue at the Belgravia Community Hall on August 26th. Around 400
constituents came from all across the riding to enjoy a lovely barbecue
dinner and a short speech by Member of Parliament Linda Duncan.
Edmonton-Strathcona's children really enjoyed the community hall's big
playground. Linda is pictured here with two of the riding's furry
constituents.
Health Care Town Hall meeting, April 14,
2009
A surprise spring snowfall looked like an ominous sign, but in the end
the sun came out, the snow all melted, and around 150
Edmonton-Strathcona constituents joined Edmonton-Strathcona MP Linda
Duncan, federal NDP health critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Member of
Parliament for Winnipeg North), and David Eggen, executive director of
Friends of Medicare for a rousing discussion at the Gold Bar Community
Hall in the eastern part of the riding.
Topics covered included home care, plans for affordable prescription
drugs, wait times, and access to long-term care, among others. For more
information about the event, please see
the review written by Edmonton-based blogger Ian of
Terahertz.
New Years Town Hall meeting, January 14,
2009
Linda Duncan, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona, spoke with
constituents and listened to their ideas for the 2009 Budget and their
recommendations for federal action. They met at a very
packed Ritchie Community Hall, and there were hundreds of
constituents in attendance.
Volunteer appreciation brunch, November 30, 2008
On Sunday, November 30th, the Edmonton-Strathcona NDP held a volunteer
appreciation brunch thanking all of the hardworking volunteers who
helped Linda get elected in October. It was held at the Southeast
Edmonton Seniors' Association in Bonnie Doon, and was attended by
several hundred volunteers and a couple of visitors from the
media.
In the first picture to the right, the core Elect Linda Duncan campaign
team joins forces to thank the volunteers. In the second, Linda thanks
her stellar campaign manager, Erica Bullwinkle.
NDP caucus swearing-in, October 29th, 2008
Linda Duncan was officially sworn in today as Member of Parliament for
Edmonton-Strathcona and a member of the NDP caucus. She is pictured
here with the rest of that caucus, 37 strong!
Election Night, October 14, 2008
October 14th was election night, and it's hard to imagine how it could
have been more exciting. After the CBC had already called
Edmonton-Strathcona for Linda's Conservative opponent and he had already
given his victory speech, the late-night polls provided for a dramatic
turnaround. Shortly after 10pm Mountain Time, the CBC reversed their
call and placed the X next to Linda's name. The crowd in Linda's
campaign office went wild.
After all the votes were counted and confirmed by
Elections Canada, Linda had claimed 42.6% of the
vote, beating the riding's previous MP by just shy of 500 votes.
All-candidates' forum at Garneau United Church, October 8,
2008
Linda spoke at the final evening all-candidates' forum on Wednesday,
October 8th at 7pm at the Garneau United Church. The format consisted
of introductory statements followed by questions asked by the audience.
Breakfast Rally with Jack Layton, October 8, 2008
On October 8th, federal NDP leader Jack Layton was in Edmonton for a
whopping third time this election! He was here once again to support
Linda in the homestretch and tell residents of Edmonton-Strathcona that
they could very well have an NDP MP after this election if progressives
are willing to band together. Layton joined a packed crowd of
enthusiastic supporters at the Kids in the Hall Bistro at City Hall for
a breakfast rally. Linda was the emcee for the event.
The rally was covered in the national media by the
Globe and Mail, the
National Post, the
Regina Leader-Post, and the
Montreal Gazette, and in the local media
by the
Edmonton Journal.
All-candidates' forum at Kings College, October 6,
2008
Linda debated this riding's Conservative MP and her other opponents at a
second All-Candidates' Forum on Monday, October 6th at Kings University
College in the eastern part of the Edmonton-Strathcona riding. Both
community members and students were present for a lively debate.
Biggest Canvass Ever, October 4, 2008
On Saturday, October 4th, more than a hundred Elect Linda Duncan
campaign volunteers came out to the campaign office for the biggest
canvass this city has ever seen. The volunteers visited nearly 5,000
houses, talking to voters and getting out the word about Linda. This
beat Edmonton City Councillor Don Iveson's single-canvass record by
almost 3,000 houses!
After the hard work was done, the volunteers came back to the campaign
office for a party with some great beer and Indian food.
All-candidates' forum at the U of A, September 29,
2008
Linda debated this riding's Conservative MP and her other opponents at
an All-Candidates' Forum at 7pm on Monday, September 29th at the Myer
Horowitz Theatre on the U of A campus. The format was a moderated
debate followed by an open question-and-answer period with questions
taken from members of the audience.
Bus and Blitz Bash, September 27, 2008
On Saturday, September 27th, Linda invited all her youth supporters to
cram into a city bus to go canvassing in a big group together with her.
There was some great energy in the crowd!
First they left from the campaign office and drove out to various parts
of the riding. There, they got the word out about Linda, meeting
voters, handing out leaflets, and introducing Linda herself. Then they
came back to the campaign office for a pizza party. Who says politics
can't be fun?
Rally with NDP leader Jack Layton, September 20,
2008
About 500 supporters from Edmonton-Strathcona and across the province
joined NDP leader Jack Layton at a rally in Edmonton for this midway
point in the campaign. Linda was pleased to have the opportunity to
introduce him. In the speech, Jack praised Linda and said that he'd
love to have a chance to sit with her around the cabinet table in
Ottawa. He also criticized the Harper government for caring more about
their corporate friends than about ordinary people.
The event was covered in the
media as well.
U of A Meet-and-Greet, September 10, 2008
A large crowd of University of Alberta students met up with Linda at
Dewey's on Sunday, September 7th at an event sponsored by the U of A
Campus New Democrats so that she could listen to students' concerns and
tell them about her campaign. The group asked Linda questions as they
gathered over beer and snacks.
Edmonton-based blogger Terahertz was there, and he was so impressed that
he immediately went home and posted a "Bloggers for Linda" banner on his
blog! You can read his review of the event
here. Get your own banner on the
citizen media resources page.
Campaign Launch, September 9, 2008
Linda's campaign was officially launched on September 9th, 2008, with
the official opening of full-time hours at the campaign office. The
office was packed with supporters and media, and Linda gave an inspiring
speech before taking questions. In it, she outlined her views on issues
such as health care, the environment, and the economy.
Sign Blitz, September 7, 2008
Linda Duncan signs went up all around the riding as volunteers poured
into the new campaign office all morning and all afternoon on Sunday,
September 7th. Many volunteers remarked how impressed they were at how
quickly Linda's team was able to get so many signs out there.
This was a rousing start to a great campaign!
Canadian Grandmothers for Africa Rally, September 6,
2008
Linda spoke at the Canadian Grandmothers for Africa in Edmonton rally on
Saturday, September 6th, to help draw attention to lack of federal
government support for the battle against HIV and AIDS in
Africa.
The event took place at the Old Strathcona gazebo at 83rd Avenue and
104th Street.
Edmonton District Labour Council Barbecue, September 1,
2008
On Labour Day, Linda helped pass out hot dogs and hamburgers at the 19th
Annual Labour Day Barbeque for the Unemployed and Underemployed. The
event was hosted by the Edmonton and District Labour Council, and Linda
was joined by many other prominent Edmontonians, including City
Councillor Ben Henderson, pictured here.
The event took place at Giovanni Caboto Park. Hamburgers, hot-dogs,
cold drinks, ice-cream and fesh fruit were served, and guests enjoyed
music and childrens' activities alongside the great food.
Keepers of the Creek Water Testing Program, 30 August, 2008
At the end of August, Linda participated in the Keepers of the Creek
water quality testing program to test the water in Edmonton-Strathcona's
own Mill Creek.
The Keepers of the Creek, which Linda has helped to organize, is an
organization that was formed to coordinate efforts by communities
bordering Mill Creek towards greater protection of the Creek area.
Efforts to date have focused on building improved communication with
Park Rangers and police for improved response to incidents and crime
prevention; preventing illegal cutting or damage to the forest;
pollution prevention; and long range planning to protect the
watershed.
Local Produce Special Dinner at the Upper Crust
Café, 27 August, 2008
Linda was thrilled to be able to host a special dinner and campaign
fundraiser at the Upper Crust Café on August 27th. The event
featured an evening of delicious local produce, grown by the farmers who
serve our city's food needs. Some of our local growers joined Linda as
her guests of honour.
These farmers are among the local heroes Linda has had the privilege of
working with in their battles to protect their fertile lands from the
impacts of power plants, coal mines, petrochemical plants, tar sand
up-graders and urban sprawl.
Rally opposing Bill C-484, 3 May, 2008
Linda was proud to speak at a rally in Edmonton-Strathcona opposing the
Conservative government's Bill C-484, the "Unborn Victims of Crime Act."
If passed, this bill could serve as a key tool in the fight by opponents
of women's right to choose, in their efforts to criminalize abortion.
This bill has already passed its second reading, and it is crucial that
we put a stop to it before it is passed into law. In place of Bill
C-484, Linda believes that we need tougher laws against violence against
women, which is the real cause of this problem to begin with.
The event took place in Gazebo Park in Old Strathcona, at 104th St. and
83rd Ave.
Public Forum on the Security and Prosperity Partnership,
24 January, 2008
Linda had the pleasure of introducing NDP Member of Parliament Peter
Julian and Founding Director of the Parkland Institute, Gordon Laxer at
a public forum about the Security and Prosperity Partnership. The event
was co-sponsored by the Edmonton-Strathcona NDP and the Edmonton
District Labour Council. The SPP is an agreement between Canada, the
United States, and Mexico that is directed at integration in 300 policy
areas including the environment, energy, security, food and health
standards, foreign affairs and immigration.
National Day of Climate Action, 8 December,
2007
On December 8th, 2007, Linda and some of her supporters braved a chilly
Edmonton winter day to participate in the National Day of Climate
Action. The march began at Canada Place and proceeded on to the
legislature. The message was sent that Edmontonians want action now on
climate change at all levels of government, for the sake of our children
and our planet.
Jack Layton at the Strathcona Farmer's Market, 11 November,
2007
Federal NDP leader Jack Layton was in town on Saturday, November 10th,
meeting voters with Linda at the Strathcona Farmer's Market and around the
neighbourhood. They met quite a few people inside the market, where they
sat down at the tables at the back to chat about the issues of the
day.
Outside the market, Jack and Linda were then interviewed by the local
media, including the
Edmonton Journal, the
Edmonton Sun, and
CBC, CTV and Global television, before they proceeded on to Whyte Avenue.
They first met with voters along Edmonton-Strathcona's main strip, and
then with environmental leaders in the Whyte Avenue Second Cup.
Finally, Linda and Jack visited Gordon Howell and Peter Amerongen's
Riverdale NetZero solar project to express support for their leadership
in showcasing energy efficient housing.
Policy discussion with Olivia Chow, 6 November,
2007
Olivia Chow, NDP MP for Trinity-Spadina, visited Edmonton-Strathcona on
Tuesday, November 6th. She and Linda joined forces to talk about what is
going wrong on Parliament Hill these days, and why there is hope to fix
it.
Olivia was especially concerned about opposing the arrival of big-box day
care in Alberta. Canadian parents face the prospect of Australian
corporate giant ABC Learning Centres moving into Canada through its
affiliate, 123 Busy Beavers Learning Centres. The company is targeting
Alberta, Ontario and BC in its initial push to repeat its success in
Australia and the US. Alberta's child care centres are ripe for this kind
of takeover, because of a large percentage of them are private,
for-profit. ABC has become controversial because it is alleged it has
become highly profitable partly through public subsidies to child
care.
Both speakers spoke to a large, enthusiastic crowd at the Strathcona
Community League, and the question-answer session that followed really
showed what a compassionate, intelligent community we have in
Edmonton-Strathcona.
Maria Dunn benefit concert for Linda's campaign,
15 September, 2007
As a part of an evening fundraising event for Linda's campaign,
Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Maria Dunn performed in front of a packed
hall at the Cosmopolitan Music Society on Gateway Blvd. She entertained
the crowd with songs ranging from ancestral tales to country-tinged
stories, and from Celtic melodies to bluegrass.
The event was publicized on CKUA and the CBC, and there was a wonderful
atmosphere in the hall, with Maria Dunn fans joining together with Linda
Duncan supporters for one wonderful night. Maria herself is a strong
supporter of Linda who told her after the last election that if she would
only run again, she would perform at a benefit concert for her
campaign!
The evening also featured a silent auction and good food and
conversation. It is a very exciting time to be part of Linda's winning
team!
Linda Duncan Campaign summer picnic, 29 August,
2007
In the waning days of summer, Linda's campaign team got together in
Hawrelak Park, one of the most beautiful spots in the Edmonton-Strathcona
riding, to enjoy a picnic supper. The forecast was for rain, but it was
sunny and warm and full of enthusiastic Linda Duncan supporters. Because
every hardworking team needs a break now and then!
Rally for Affordable Housing, 17 May, 2007
More than 300 people gathered on the steps of the Alberta legislature in
Edmonton on May 17th, 2007 to protest soaring housing costs and huge rent
increases. Linda and her supporters were out in full force, sporting new
"I'm supporting Linda" t-shirts.
The provincial NDP organized the demonstration to persuade the provincial
government to do more to address the affordable housing problem. A
raucous crowd demanded that the provincial government implement rent
control policies, and heard speeches from provincial NDP leader Brian
Mason and provincial NDP candidate Rachel Notley, among others.
For more information about the event, see this
CBC
story.
Anti-Idling Bylaw Presentation to Edmonton City Council,
15 May, 2007
When the transportation committee of Edmonton's City Council deliberated
on whether or not to introduce a bylaw that would penalize drivers who
leave their vehicles idling, Linda spoke to the committee in favour of the
proposal. The bylaw was introduced by City Councillors Michael Phair and
Dave Thiele (the latter of whom is shown with Linda in the picture, along
with Sheila Rusbud from Parkallen Community League). While the proposal
to introduce a bylaw was defeated on a tie, a proposal to begin a public
education program on the subject was approved.
More information can be found in
this Edmonton Journal article.
May Week Labour Arts Festival, 26 April - 4 May, 2007
In the week from April 26th to May 4th, 2007, Linda participated in the
May Week Labour Arts Festival. This annual festival is built around May
Day (May 1st), which is recognized as the international workers' holiday
across the planet. The festival brings together the labour movement,
workers and artists to commemorate and celebrate the achievements of
working people everywhere.
On April 28th, Linda took part in the ceremonies for the International Day
of Mourning, remembering all of the people who have lost their lives or
their health while on the job. And on May 1st, she and her team marched
in the May Day parade, joining hundreds of other Edmontonians to march
down Whyte Avenue to celebrate the labour movement's well-fought
gains.
For more information about the event, see the
May Week Labour Arts Festival
site.
Campaign Volunteer Pub Night, 30 April 2007
Linda's been campaigning hard since October of 2006, and sometimes you
just need to take a break. At the end of April, Linda and members of the
Elect Linda Duncan volunteer team got together at the Underdog in the
basement of the Black Dog pub on Whyte Avenue to celebrate a good run thus
far and make plans for summer activities.
Earth Day, 22 April 2007
In April, Linda took part in Edmonton's Earth Day Festival, Canada's
largest environmental celebration. The event was held in Hawrelak Park,
and consisted of environmental "teach-ins", live music, exhibits, and
more. Linda was on hand to pass out tiny seedling trees to interested
children.
For more information, see the
Alberta Environmental Network's Earth Day information
page.
2007 Edmonton-Strathcona federal NDP Annual General Meeting
18 April, 2007
In mid-April, Linda spoke at the Edmonton-Strathcona federal NDP's annual
general meeting and potluck dinner. The new riding association executive
was elected, and the group enjoyed the cooking of the other riding
members.
"The environment: real problems, real solutions" panel
discussion
31 March, 2007
As the third in a series of panel discussions on policy sponsored by the
Edmonton-Strathcona federal NDP, NDP federal environment critic (and
member of the special committee to rewrite the Conservatives' bad Clean
Air Act) Nathan Cullen teamed up with Linda to talk about real solutions
to our environmental problems.
Only one day after the special committee had reported on its decisions to
Parliament, Nathan and Linda addressed a full house at the Strathcona
Public Library. Linda outlined her agenda for real environmental
solutions, and Nathan reported on his great victory on the Clean Air Act
in getting all the other parties to work together to come up with a good
piece of legislation.
Linda's nomination meeting, 19 January, 2007
In a turnout that shocked media and NDP insiders alike, almost 400 people
piled into Edmonton's City Arts Centre to see Linda officially nominated
as the federal candidate on January 19th, 2007. She then gave an eloquent
speech about the need for all Canadians to work together to improve
environmental laws.
The keynote speech was given by federal NDP leader Jack Layton, who
praised Linda for the work she does and called on Edmonton-Strathcona
residents to elect her as their Member of Parliament in the next federal
election. Referring to her as "one of the finest environmental leaders"
and "one of the most knowledgeable individuals in our country," he spoke
to a raucous crowd who cheered and stomped through the entire
meeting.
Alberta NDP leader Brian Mason, Edmonton-Strathcona provincial MLA Raj
Pannu, and Edmonton-Strathcona provincial NDP candidate Rachel Notley
all spoke as well, encouraging the crowd to organize for Linda.
"Better solutions for public health care" panel
discussion
25 November, 2006
With a high of -24, it was the coldest day of the winter so far, but 35
hardy souls still joined the Strathcona federal NDP at the Allendale
Community Hall for the second in our series of panel discussions on
policy, "Better Solutions for Public Healthcare." It took place on
November 25th, 2006.
Our out-of-town guest was Penny Priddy (Member of Parliament for Surrey
North and the NDP's federal health care critic), and our local guest was
Dr. Diana Gibson (Research Director of the Parkland Institute and
co-author of the book
The Bottom Line: The Truth Behind Private
Health Insurance in Canada). The panel was introduced and moderated
by Linda Duncan, Edmonton-Strathcona's 2005-06 federal candidate. Penny
talked to us about some possible practical approaches to improving
health care in Canada, while Diana talked to us about the research
behind why privatization wouldn't actually improve our health care
system.
From top to bottom: the panel from the back of the room, and first Penny
and then Diana speaking to audience members after the panel.
"Sustainable Energy for Alberta" panel discussion, 9
November, 2006
On November 9th, 2006, the Strathcona federal NDP sponsored a panel
discussion on policy, "Sustainable Energy for Alberta," which took place
at the Strathcona Public Library. This panel was the first in a series
of such events, designed to provoke discussion between national leaders,
local leaders, and the public on issues of importance to the residents
of Edmonton-Strathcona.
The panelists included Dennis Bevington (Member of Parliament for
Western Arctic and the NDP's federal energy critic), and Linda Duncan
(international environmental law consultant and Strathcona's 2005-06
federal candidate). They were introduced by Brian Mason, leader of the
Alberta NDP. They spoke on several issues: from the empirical evidence
that shows how much we need real regulation on the environment, to the
inadequacy of the Conservatives' Clean Air Act that was introduced in
the fall of 2006 and what the federal NDP hopes to do about it.
From top to bottom: Linda and Dennis speaking on the panel, a full house
at the Strathcona Public Library, and Dennis speaking to Strathconans
after the panel.
Provincial NDP convention, 20-22 October,
2006
The provincial Alberta NDP convention took place from October 20-22 at
the Mayfield Inn in west Edmonton. Convention highlights included
speeches and talks by Ricardo Acuna (Executive Director of the Parkland
Institute), Samantha Power (University of Alberta Student Union
President), federal NDP leader Jack Layton, and of course provincial NDP
leader Brian Mason.
In the top picture to the left, Rachel Notley (Edmonton-Strathcona's
provincial candidate for Member of the Legislative Assembly) poses with
Dave Eggen (MLA for Edmonton-Calder). In the picture right below them,
Linda Duncan (2005-06 federal candidate from Edmonton-Strathcona) stands
with Raj Pannu, (current Edmonton-Strathcona provincial MLA).
In the bottom picture, the Alberta NDP discovers hidden talents among
its members at the convention's "musical evening." This makeshift trio
included Edmonton-Strathcona delegates Jeff Sloychuk and Richard Parks,
along with Rod Olstad, co-chair of the Alberta NDP's Environment
Caucus.
Federal NDP convention, 8-10 September, 2006
The federal NDP policy convention in Québec City, which ran from
the 8th to the 10th of September, was intense, exhausting, and
exhilarating. A large number of Alberta delegates attended this year,
including a strong contingent from Edmonton-Strathcona.
In the top picture to the right, Edmonton-Strathcona delegates Linda
Duncan and Bill Woolverton stand in the lineup behind MP Denise Savoie
to speak on the convention floor about an energy resolution. Peace
River NDP riding association president Elroy Deimert looks on in the
background. Policy debates made up a large portion of the activities on
the convention floor.
In the second picture, Edmonton-Strathcona delegate (and 2005-06
candidate) Linda Duncan visits with Afghani Member of Parliament Malalai
Joya, who was one of the guest speakers at the convention. And in the
third picture, all 1600 delegates in attendance cheer federal party
leader Jack Layton before his keynote speech.
Barbecue with Jack Layton, 6 July, 2006
Over the summer, federal NDP party leader Jack Layton paid a special
visit to Edmonton-Strathcona for a good old-fashioned barbecue.
Although they'd predicted rain, a clear blue sky greeted him as he
arrived in our riding. Alongside plenty of barbecue food and a rousing
speech from Jack, it was also a good opportunity for Strathconans to
meet our party's leader and talk to him about their issues and concerns.
A few hundred people attended.
In the top picture to the left, Jack mingles with the crowd and talks to
Katharine Hay, one of Strathcona's youth (who is wearing the
NDYA's Tommy
Douglas T-shirt). In the second picture, Alberta NDP leader Brian Mason
passes the mike to Jack. And in the third, Jack gives 2005-06
Strathcona candidate Linda Duncan an impromptu hug.
A good time was had by all!
