Greens deserve a place in ParliamentWe'd all have been better off had there been no federal election this fall. Not only is the process hugely expensive, but it has been a distraction. While Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his rivals have been trash-talking each other and kissing babies, Canadians' retirement savings have gotten hammered.We'll repeat what we've said in this space before: Canada needs proportional representation. It is unreasonable to expect Canadians to vest all their political hopes in a single vote for a single candidate at the riding level.In most modern democracies voters cast two ballots: One for their preferred local candidate and one for the party that best represents their views. If Canada had such a system the choice facing voters in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound would be far easier.Unfortunately we do not have a proportional system and we do have an election to contend with.Congratulations to every candidate, from every party, who stood for election. Politicians take raps from all sides, sometimes deservedly so. But in the main they are hard-working people who get involved because they want to make the world better.In this editorial we will confine ourselves to commenting on the four major Canadian political parties: Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats and Greens.Leader Elizabeth May performed well in her first televised debates. The Greens have a fresh approach and new ideas. They deserve a berth in Parliament. Because of Shane Jolley's success in previous elections, they have a better shot here than in most other Canadian ridings. Dick Hibma personally would be a worthy addition to the House of Commons.For all those reasons we urge a vote for Hibma on election day. For the full story, click here.   

(Owen Sound- October 7th) The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Green Party today released a poll conducted by Oracle research showing that the local riding is a two-way contest between incumbent Larry Miller and Green Party candidate Dick Hibma. Of particular significance is the large number of undecided voters only one week out from Election Day. Because this group represents 1 in 5 voters, they will undoubtedly determine the outcome on October 14th.(click on thumbnail to view full size image)Poll chart

My experience at the all-candidates' debate in Keady recently convinced me that Dick Hibma, the Green party candidate, is the man I should vote for.
I was angry when some of the political parties tried to exclude Elizabeth May from the national televised debates. That failed attempt made me sit up and pay attention during this election.
So I drove from my home in the south of our riding up to Keady to see our local candidates in action, and I'm glad I did.
The Conservative, Liberal and NDP candidates were about what I expected -lots of references to party platforms, lots of promises and lots of criticisms of the other parties. But Hibma avoided these tired and predictable political habits.
Instead he offered practical ideas
and a positive attitude. He is willing to work with members from any party to get things done for the people he hopes to represent. How refreshing!

Read the full story here

Once again, we in the riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound have the chance to make a real difference in the political scenery. Our Green party candidate, Dick Hibma, represents positive change that is long overdue.

Read the full story here

Hibma, a former three-term Owen Sound city councillor, comes across as a thoughtful man, offering measured and careful responses to questions. Even when residents tell him he's "head and shoulders above the other candidates," Hibma marks them down only as "weak" Green supporters -- a cautious response to flattering words.
Hibma fields questions about where he stands on Afghanistan (he wants to clarify the mission and set clearer goals), the economy (he says a strong economy is directly linked to sound environmental policies).
Then there's the all-encompassing, "What's the Green party about, anyway?"

Read the full story here

A poll conducted by Oracle Research released October 6th shows a huge number of voters in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound remain undecided with seven days to go before election day.This group of voters will determine the outcome of the election.  With Larry Miller at 38% and the Green Party candidate Dick Hibma at 22%, it is clearly now a two-way contest.  One in five voters in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound are still undecided.  Voters who want a change have not chosen who will get their support. "Now those voters can feel confident in voting Green. Together we can have a vision of hope and local economic prosperity in Bruce-Grey, " says Hibma.

Letter to the Editor as posted in the Owen Sound Sun Times:

Editor:

I attended the chamber of commerce all candidates meeting at
the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and honestly I was quite
amused.

A lot of Larry Miller and Thom Noble's time was spent bashing
each other's parties on issues such as fixed election dates and fiscal
responsibilities.

Dick Hibma, on the other hand, was quite amazing and did a
fantastic job speaking. Right there and then he convinced me that
voting Green was the right thing to do.

I believe that he will not only bring great things to
Grey-Bruce (such as rail service and a meat inspection plant) but also
be an integral part in bringing respect and dignity back to parliament.
I strongly urge people to consider voting for the Green Party of
Canada.

They believe in making the country better for the people who live there, not the big companies.

Tyler Livingstone Shallow Lake

See the letter in the Sun Times.  

Students ask candidates about education costs, environmental concerns

By Jim Algie in the Owen Sound Sun Times. 

Student loan reform and high tuition costs were in the spotlight Monday as Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound federal election candidates went back to school.

A crowd of more than 500 senior students at Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute peppered candidates with questions during a wide-ranging debate sandwiched between opening announcements and a dance class in the high school auditorium.

May is on a cross-Canada tour by train to promote her party for the Oct. 14 federal election. She told the crowd it's been an opportunity to "meet real Canadians in all the places where no other federal party leader has gone."

She said the train tour reflects the party's commitment to doing politics differently, reducing carbon emissions and investing in the future of the planet for the benefit of coming generations.

The Green Party will be a contender again in the Oct. 14 federal election in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.Before a capacity crowd of more than 300 people at Thursday’s all-candidates meeting at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound, Green candidate Dick Hibma did all he needed to maintain the growth of his party’s appeal to area voters.Hibma spoke effectively and to the point, at times eloquently, about the need for change in Canadian society.Hibma, a former Owen Sound city councillor and long-time chairman of the association of conservation authorities in Ontario, Hibma kept it simple and inspirational during a meeting in which the our other candidates dealt mainly in party platform detail and cross-party critiques.“Our history is built on wood, coal and oil,” Hibma said during his opening remarks. “I would suggest that our future is built on democracy and leadership and vision. That future is one that responds to challenges like rising fuel costs, like plant closings and a response to those challenges with positive thinking and working toward solutions.” Read the full story here.