Nothing like the first time...
Delegates just want to have fun
Waiting for the keynote address at the Liberal national convention (Trynacity)
As a former political reporter I found myself falling into past habbits while in Monteal to take in the Liberal national convention.
That meant - having meaningful discussions with cab/Uber drivers.
There I was, on my way to my first “reception”when I struck up a conversation with my driver.
“Why so many people here?” asked the driver.
“Political convention,” I responded adding, “Mark Carney’s gang”.
Making a turn he kind of paused and said “What happened to Trudeau? why didn’t people like him?”
I didn’t give him an answer, afterall the trip wasn’t going to take that long.
But I did listen to what he had to say.
“He (Trudeau) was okay”. “Politics is hard,” he added.
“You’re away from your family. People are nasty.”
He was spot on.
And aside from a brief video appearance by Justin Trudeau at the convention opening, and a mention by the PM, I didn’t hear Trudeau’s name uttered again all weekend.
My first time as a political convention brought back memories and reminders. (Trynacity)
Old story - new perspective
I have covered many big and small political conventions during my time as a reporter but this was my first time as a real delegate.
I was one of more than four thousand five hundred people at the Liberal National Convention in Montreal; half of which were first-timers (though I was likely one of the few former reporters).
The experience gave me new appreciation for those who slog away for democracy, and also for the tasks ahead in a world order that will only get more complicated to navigate.
First, a couple of personal observations:
As a non-reporter, I had to stand in long lines for everything from gaining entry to the convention, to finding a decent spot on the floor. (As a reporter you get good access). The lines did move pretty quickly though.
Nobody was obligated to speak to me (maybe they just didn’t want to).
Free food was hard to come by. (Usually at these things the party provides sandwiches to the media at least). Someone did give me a bag of popcorn on the last day though.
“Hospitality” suites with free-flowing free booze, are now “receptions” sponsored by caucus regions or groups hoping to gain some political influence. (Caution - get the right address or you could end up at the wrong party wondering why there are coloured strobe lights and fun-house mirrors).
There is limited complimentary food, and the crowds for the cash bar at these things looks like the food concession at Costco on a Saturday afternoon.
It’s a good thing free booze is hard(er) to come by.
Don’t count on having a meaningful conversation with anyone. They’ll be hard to hear.
For half of delegates who had been there before, it was a chance to see old friends under much brighter political circumstances than the last convention. The other half were curious, engaged, and eager to socialize. That’s also a key part of getting involved in politics. Regardless of the party, socializing and making friends with like-minded folks, is a common denominator of poltical organizations. And it should be.
Policy stuff
To me, the most interesting parts of the convention were policy discussions.It’s a window into what delegates are concerned about on a regional and national level.It also gives politicians an idea of how people are feeling about things.
It didn’t get any media attention, but there were spirited discussions about the need to protect the Canada Pension Plan against incursions from Alberta separatists.A resolution calling for that protection was passed by the convention.
As were all the healthcare related resolutions ranging from the need to train more physicians, to a desire to update the 1984 Canada Health Act.
“You can’t solve today’s problems with yesterday’s tools,” declared one delegate from the floor.
There was also a resolution passed for “Tax Equity for Single Seniors”. It points out while senior couples can rely on income splitting, there’s no such tax break for seniors who are divorced, widowed, or never married.
There was spirited discussion about the surge of Artificial Intelligence, and how (mis) and (dis)information continues to confuse and extort the public.
I’ll write more later about the floor crossers - but for sure people were talking about it.
Carney - no mention of dental or pharmacare
Prime Minister Mark Carney waves following his speech at the Liberal national convention in Montreal on Saturday. Carney relied on a message of national unity ahead of three byelections on Monday. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)
The highlight of the convention was the keynote address by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The PM received a standing ovation for declaring Canada would no longer spend 70% of each defence dollar on U.S. procurement AND delegates rose to their feet when Carney declared a Liberal government will always defend a woman’s right to choose.
Running down a shopping list of past Liberal Prime Ministers, Carney spoke of Justin Trudeau’s work to lift Canadians, especially children, out of poverty.
Curiously there was no mention of the pharmacare or dental program which was engineered by the NDP and its alliance with the Liberal minority government.
Limited Access
Another observation as a delegate was access to ministers and MPs.
There were several ministerial panels covering a wide range of topics, but no opportunity to ask questions from the floor.
No follow-ups, clarifications, or chance to probe what was said.
This meant the best way to get your two-cents in was to corner a minister in the hallway, along with the thousands of other delegates.
Finding an opportunity
The downside of being a former political reporter, is that some people think you’re still in the business. And that could prompt an automatic response.
At one point during the convention I spotted Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller making a dash for the escalator.
Miller is responsible for CBC-Radio/Canada.
Knowing I only had a few moments to bend his ear I wanted to get in a plug for CBC.
I could sense his aide was trying to move him along as I introduced myself as a former CBC reporter.
There was no time to pin him down on continued funding, the importance of expanding coverage or the need for public broadcasting during these unsettling times.
His aid was yanking him away, but not before I managed to get a few messages out.
He smiled and nodded, but didn’t make any promises. (In this regard I was treated just like a reporter)
This was afterall - a political convention where despite heated debates and resolutions passed, the government of the day is under no obligation to do anything with resolutions at all. I saw that happen regularly under the former Alberta PC party. At several conventions delegates passed resolutions asking for a ban on smoking. It was several years before they finally acted.
And that reality and disconnect between members and government is not new to me. It was however, important to jump at the chance to remind key decision makers of important issues impacting Canadians that may not be high on the convention agenda.
Just ask my new pal the Uber driver.