Canadian Alliance Constituency of Fredericton Newsletter 

March 1, 2002  

Greetings Fellow Members! 

My name is Richard Bragdon and I have been elected as your president for the Fredericton Constituency Association.  These are exciting times in the Canadian Alliance both national and locally and it is quite apparent that we have turned the corner having closed the chapter on last years turmoil.  We are presently engaged in an exciting leadership race with four credible candidates vying for the job.  These candidates are:  Diane Ablonczy, Stockwell Day, Stephen Harper and Grant Hill.

Please remember that your membership must be current and up to date in order to be eligible to vote.

I would also like to express, on behalf of the board and myself, our gratitude for electing us to represent you and your concerns.  We as a board are working extremely well together, and are anticipating a very productive year!

I’d furthermore like to express our thankfulness to our past president, Jim Cougle, for his very capable and faithful service to our Constituency over the past few years.  We’re very pleased that Jim is going to continue to serve on the board. 

In conclusion, I’d just like to encourage you to become involved and be sure to vote in the leadership race.  As our former leader, Preston Manning, always said, “Those who refuse to become involved in the political process will be governed by those who do.”  Let us therefore become active and work hard to elect a truly democratic and representative government, a Canadian Alliance Government. 

Sincerely 

Richard Bragdon

President of the Fredericton Constituency Association

Board of Directors  - The following is your  Board of Directors for 2002: 

*  Please note:  The Constitution of the Fredericton Riding Association gives the Board of Directors the authority to appoint three (3) Directors.

We are now well into the leadership campaign and also the first general election of our new National Council which will occur in March.

From our Constitution / Policy Committee: Our Fredericton Constituency held a General Meeting on Saturday, January 5^th to finalize our Policy Resolutions Amendments and Constitution Amendments selections for consideration for inclusion in the booklet for debate at our National Convention in Edmonton on April 4 – 7, 2002.  

Some of the policy matters discussed included:  Common Market With USA & Mexico; Fisheries Conservation; Water – Supply & Selling of & Safe Drinking Standards; Contamination Sites & Cleaning of Same; Criminal Use of Weapons; National Highways System; Election of Judges; Child Neglect; Restitution re Criminal Acts; Health Care; and Aboriginal Affairs.

 Our top 20 Policy and top 20 Constitutional items were faxed to National Office January 14^th to be combined with the lists from all the other ridings.   

General Meeting  - On Saturday March 23^rd, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., we will meet at the Fredericton Inn to decide how you, as members of this riding, wish to vote on the Policy Resolutions and Constitutional Amendments.  Upon request you can get these resolutions from russcrosy@yahoo.ca. We will then instruct our delegates to National Convention accordingly.  If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Russell Crosby (454-9950). 

All-Candidates meeting in Fredericton is cancelled.  There will be no All Candidates meeting in the Maritimes due to difficulty in coordinating schedules with the different campaign teams.  

Voting for the Leader  - The membership cut-off date for those wanting to vote in the leadership contest is March 1^st.  You MUST be registered at National Office by that date. No exceptions. If you want to be sure that you are eligible to vote, please have your membership application or renewal in the hands of the treasurer by no later than Feb 26^th.  First voting date starts March 8^th.  First voting date ends March 15^th.  First ballot results will be announced March 20^th.  All voting is by mail-in ballot. A second ballot will occur if necessary. 

National Council Elections  - Alliance members should receive a ballot in early March for the election of National Councilors.  Each member in NB will be able to vote for up to three (3) candidates from our province.  These events are now demonstrating the Canadian Alliance is the only truly democratic conservative grass-roots party in Canada. 

·         NB Candidates For National Council – In alphabetical order 

• Maureen Bell, Douglas, NB                      Tel: 506-452-1170           mbell@nbet.nb.ca
• Ralph Forte, Rothesay, NB                       Tel 506-849-7443             radiator@nb.symaptico.ca
• Dr. Eugene Hill, Fredericton, NB             Tel: 506-472-8759           efh@unb.ca
• Gerald Redmond, Keswick Ridge, NB     Tel 506-458-5128             gredmond@mfrs.nb.ca
• George Richardson , Saint John, NB        Tel 506-635-4122             george@nb.sympatico.ca

Donations  - A $100 donation could only cost you as little as $25 because it can generate a Tax Credit of $75.  (Our Fredericton Riding Association retains 80% of donations given directly to our constituency.  Otherwise the National Office in Calgary gets the 80%.)  Please send all donations to our Treasurer, Mr. Eugene Hill, 1111 Regent Street, Unit #3, Box 311, Fredericton, NB E3B 3Z2 

Membership  - Please make sure your Canadian Alliance membership is up to date so you can vote in the leadership race and the election of National Council.  To renew your membership or sign up someone else (with their permission, of course) contact any board member. (You may renew for as many years as you wish).  Due to tax credits, your $10 membership can cost you as little as $2.50.  Why not call today? Or log on to www.canadianalliance.com 

E-mail Addresses  - All Fredericton Canadian Alliance members are asked to send your e-mail address to Janet McKay at kilbride@nbnet.nb.ca  This will help us to send you Canadian Alliance news in the most efficient and least costly way. 

Letter Writing  - Got a gift for the written word? We’re looking for members who can write letters to the editor of our local newspapers to ensure our policies are continually in the public eye.  If you have ideas for subject matter and want help writing your letter, let us know.  This serves two purposes: 1) to educate the public about what the Canadian Alliance wants to happen and why that is good for Canada, and 2) to raise the profile of the Canadian Alliance here in the Fredericton region.  If you have a desire to help in this way, please contact our Letter Writing coordinator, Pat Lynch at pamlynch@fundy.net or 451-1112. 

From Our Youth Chair, Zach Ward  - Happy New Year to all Canadian Alliance supporters in 

Fredericton. We have a very exciting year ahead of us.  This is a great time to be a member of the 

only grass-roots party in Canada.    As chair of the events committee it is my duty to organize f

undraising events as well as political 

and social activities.  It is important that our fundraising is up this year because of the drop in 

this area last year.  I am looking forward to working with our great Board of Directors and all 

of you as we continue to turn the corner and get the Alliance back on track.  If anyone is 

interested in being a part of this committee or would like to help out in any way, please 

do not hesitate to contact me. (Tel: 449-1362 or zachward34@hotmail.com)

I am also very excited about getting more young people involved in our party.  I am a 

second year political science student at St. Thomas University and am currently in the 

process of organizing a Canadian Alliance Youth Association on campus. This would be 

open to all young people, not just students at S.T.U.  The Alliance has the most MPs under 

30 in the House of Commons, so they obviously respect the youth of our country. If you 

have any questions, comments, ideas, or would like to be involved in the youth wing of our 

local riding association please contact me as soon as possible.

This year is going to be great both nationally and locally for the Canadian Alliance.  Remember t

o make sure that your memberships are current so that you can have a say in the direction 

of our party.  I look forward to hearing from, and working with, many of you.

Respectfully yours,

Zach Ward

Chair: - Events Committee

Chair - Canadian Alliance Youth Association, Fredericton Riding

Next Federal Election  -  Only 3 years’ off – about 1,000 days  – if that!  Let’s begin looking for suitable candidates and volunteers are needed to work in various areas including the polls.  Please contact Georgina McArthur (Tel: 446-6101)