This one could go Independent. Bev is a popular MP!

I would also suggest that the incumbant MP should have a sparate listing for her vote, at least in the notes…my guess would be about 30% or so.

I would agree that Bev should be around 30%, or at least in the projections. She has her own support, plus support from NDP’ers and conservatives who can now vote for her without having to vote NDP. A 23 year old candidate who thinks she’s running for class president is not ahead of Bev in the polls that is for sure. She has a website that you can add to the top of the page. http://www.re-electbev.ca

Bev is a popular MP who has carried the conservative vote in her 3 wins due to her beliefs and honesty. Thus, a spike in conservative support nationally helps Bev in Churchill. Her supporters are upset, and will come out no matter what after her poor treatment by the NDP, who nominated a discredited candidate. Liberal and NDP support are soft at best. Bev should be in the projections and at least running neck and neck with the Libs and NDP.

The NDP did not treat Bev poorly, Bev just did not respect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which the NDP believes is more important than hanging onto a single Candidate. As Bev is the only returning Candidate of the 5 listed, this one is difficult to predict, it will be a close 4 way race.

Is it Bev who doesn’t respect the Charter, or is it the NDP??

Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
a) freedom of conscience and religion;
b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
Taken from the Charter.
I’m pretty sure the charter doesn’t go on to define the definition of marriage.
This issue will never be black and white; I disagree with my mother’s position, but to say she doesn’t respect the charter is totally out to lunch.
P.S. This race is going down to the wire; Bev will win a knee knocker with Keeper coming in a close second.
My apologies for the obvious bias!!!

Bias aside, I tend to agree with Bev’s son. Bev may well build a coalition of her own supporters and those from all sides of th spectrum that respect and see her as the best candidate or the only experienced. The Ashton camp is watching just how personally popular Bev is by seeing her siphon off their support (which has been Bev’s support for 8.5 years). As for the SSM issue; the NDP decided to whip the vote and disrespect Bev’s right to express hers and more importantly her constituents views. Today’s NDP is a slave to the political correct urban culture, and cannot connect to rural Canada and the north because they look down at the values of people who do not come from downtown toronto, vancouver or ottawa.

Bev might be liked but independents do poorly. With the NDP vote split, the Liberals will squeak though.

if voting on an issue is disrespecting the Charter, then why did the NDP agree to vote at all on the matter?

I’ve been suspecting a Liberal breakthrough here, but with recent events working against the Liberals, I beleive Ashton can win this one. The NDP in this province know how to get out the vote and that will get them past Keeper in this seat.

Winnipeg Free Press poll
NDP: 34%
Liberal: 24%
Dejarlais: 23%

time to tweak your numbers!

COME ON!!! VOTE NDP!!!

No question,this one is going liberal

I would not put much stock in a small sample poll. This riding has an unreliable electorate which means the results could hinge on the weather. The NDP (re: Ashton family) should be real proud of the smear job they have done on Desjarlais, but in the end it will come back to get them on January 23rd when people realize who has been their strong representative for the past 9 years.

The Free Press poll may not be entirely decisive, but it does show you that the riding is not a slam dunk. You can’t just dismiss it because it doesn’t match the “common wisdom” thus far reported in the media. Ashton polled strong across the riding, probably because she has put in more mileage and shoe leather than her two main rivals. Partisan comments aside, I’m surprised that the site still calls this for the Liberals. At best, it is too close to call.

For me, there is no doubt that NDP should win this one. Bev discriminated 12% of the people around Canada when she voted against gay wedding. Niki Ashton is definitly the best candidate here. She’s young, determinated and she’s going to work for everybody in this riding : Natives, Ukrainians, Caucasians, Gays, etc.
Bev could’nt do nothing with a seat in the last row in the parliament ! She already proved it ! And Keeper should be in the same position because the liberal party will have less MP’s than NDPs, Conservatives and Parti Quebecois. Liberals have to pay for their corruptions.

Vote NDP and Niki Ashton !!

Sorry if there is some mistakes, english is not my first language.

One of the challenges in politics is to keep everyone happy. They’re dammed if they don’t and dammed if they do. The closest a politician can get to satisfying everyone is by gaining experience and living with the people to see and hear their needs. Perhaps if young Ashton stays up North for 10 years, she may gain the experience to lead the people she is to represent. It’s guranteed that at her age, she will be in the big cities more often then up north in small Communities trying to get to know the people. Further more, if she loses, she will be back South faster then you can blink. If you want good representation, go with experience and one who will live and spend their time in the Community. In my opinion, there are only 2 candidates. Sorry Tina, your Party can’t be trusted. Bev on the other hand is not afraid to speak her mind or speak on behalf of her people. I see her as a strong northerner who has yet to show her best. This is the year.
Vote however you want but “Please Vote”

Bev deserves to win the election in this riding. The NDP at the national level have ignored the wishes of the constituents within this riding when it comes to the SSM issue. Bev boldly took a stand for her constituents after having surveyed them. She also voted from within her own conscience.
More recently I have heard of a smear and whisper campaign eminating from NDP sources in The Thompson region. The NDP should be thoroughly ashamed of this sort of gutter type of behavior. The sanctimoneous stance taken by the NDP on so many issues reveals the real hypocracy that lies within some of the membership when they stoop to sleezy inuendos and try to use these practices to defeat a past member and representative from within the party. Those that have been making these comments and repeating them need to hang their heads in shame. Shame, Shame, Shame.

I am not sure why bev split? But all the luck to the NDP candidate and hopefully this stays NDP it will help them.

Apparently Bev split because she voted against same-sex marriage. Personally I don’t really care. I’m Christian, which makes me religiously against it but I’m also Canadian, and I believe in equal rights. I’m not sure about this riding, looks to me like a 3-way race with Bev, Tina and Niki.

Yo Curt
Bev did not split on her own. She was replaced by Niki Ashton. Niki’s (money bag)daddy had Bev removed. They (NDP)will lose a seat. What does that tell you about the NDP’s. Seems to me that if brains were dynamite, they wouldn’t have enough to blow their noses. The best that could happen is Bev wins then walks over to the Conservatives. (Just to piss them (NDP)off) The worst would be for Tina to win. It’s strange how a party can lie, steal, deceive and still get votes. Just how much proof do people need. Maybe the Media made it all up and I’m so gullable I believed them. Or maybe Martin and his crew were just joking when they went corrupt. Maybe someone has a good explanation. I’d like to hear it.

Now that David Chartrand has supported the Liberals, this should give Tina a boost. David is very influetial in the North. I believe he is travelling the North right now.

There is that socialist tolerance again. Bev took a stand on an issue that the vast majority of her constituents wanted and were passionate about (as were many Canadians), but let the trashing begin. I don’t ever recall Bev being disrespectful of the other side nor has she ever said anything biggoted. To Churchill Riding residents: If you want to be misled with university-style socialism and childish behaviour, and if you want a pariah in the NDP caucus after what’s she did to Bev, vote NDP. If you want an honest, respectful person who lives in the north (Niki Ashton won’t tell you she hasn’t lived in Thompson for years – how can we expect her to even open up an office here), and will fight tooth and nail for each and every person, VOTE BEV ON JANUARY 23rd. After 9 years, you know you will not be misled or dissapointed.

Based on recent polls and news, here is a question: Do you want to have the balance of power in a minority (Desjarlais) or be a quiet backbencher on an opposition party (Ashton and Keeper)?

The NDP is the best way to go trust me on that as a 65 year old voter lived in Canada all my life. From Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. With my experience the NDP are the best choice if they ever win majority (which will not happen till people have a taste of the conservatives (which I have had) than NDP will have a chance of majority) the NDP would make Canada into a Country which all would want to live in, work, and educate their children. With my experience as a voter I believed the unbelievable (liberals) and turning our country into a US state (conservatives) and than the NDP some mistakes but nothing compared to other parties. The party to trust, the party that fights for Canada and its citizens and knows what Canadians need and want! Vote NDP trust them and you will not regret it = ). Best wishes to all candidates in all ridings and parties! GOOD LUCK!

Don not forget to vote January 23 2006
NDP!

Get your facts straight:

Bev Desjarlais ran for the NDP nomination, lost, and then quit the party. She was voted out by the local membership; there was no “money bags” involved (you overestimate MLA salaries). There’s no conspiracy here — give it up!

Niki Ashton was born, raised and graduated from school in the riding. There is no way she could have got her Master’s degree in Thompson, so of course she’s been elsewhere, but her family maintained a home in Thompson throughout.

Ashton is young, maybe a little idealistic. Desjarlais is experienced in the house but now she’s disgruntled, maybe a little paranoid. Keeper is a Liberal, she’s from Winnipeg, and she assumes the native vote will line up for her.

Put the partisan hackery aside. The Free Press poll has a higher statistical validity than most of the national polls you’ve seen on the news. If Desjarlais or Keeper want this riding, they will have to kick it into overdrive to catch Ashton.

I had lived in The Pas till i was 30, born an raised under the NDP. Like in Sask. the NDP are a socialest hand out group that do nothing for progress. Vote for the Concervatives and look for a northern # 1 highway from Ontario to BC to open up the north. Did you know that Saskatchewan has just as much oil,if not more than Alberta. NDP are Saskatchewans provincial party, and will take it nowhere. Vote for NDP and spin your wheels,vote for liberals & vote for corruption.

Keith K is dea on correct, the NDP have never done anything for Saskatchewan or the north. However, the NDP will win because of the Bad habit of voting NDP. I really feel for BEV , and if I lived there I would vote for her, but money talks

Vote for Bev, and you support anti-homosexual movements. Please people, be PROGRESSIVE and wake up. Slavery is over, segregation is laregely over, homophobia is hopefully on the decline. Voting Liberal or NDP would declare your tolerance and acceptance of all people of all types. Voting Conservative and you are supporting the stereotypical rich caucasian male and female that have made just as many if not more mistakes as conservatives than the Liberals have recently.

Christy, fine, you are a COnservative. Don’t care. Please don’t waltz around insulting others. Offer constructive criticism and information.

Ken, I was referring to your “surveyed” voters statement. Where would that have got the civil rights movement? Nowhere. SSM is a civil rights issue as well. It gives one group of people the same rights, privileges and obligations enjoyed by another group. Quite simple to me. And “demean” traditional family values? How does having a loving gay or lesbian couple getting married “demean” traditonal family values? They want to be able to access the same institution for the same purposes as heterosexuals – committment, community, and fidelity. Nor does it have any impact whatsoever on opposite-sex couples. None. So, your opposition cleary illustrates what you think of gay people. Second class citizens? Civil unions? Ever hear “seperate but equal”?

In 10 or 20 years, the vast majority of Canadians will look back in horror at even having this debate. And I’m sure there will be many George Wallaces looking back ashamed of their conduct as he was.

What has Keeper ever done except ’star’ in some CBC dud that hardly anybody watched? Her wonderful Liberal Party is tanking and pulling down candidates not getting new ones elected. The CPC candidate and his supporters know they are just running tp place so at least some of those votes may go to Desjarlais. That leaves the NDP candidate as her main opponent. TCTC

Aaron, are you equating Bev to a group of violent hate mongers based on her stance on SSM? I don’t advocate the marginilization of any group, but this is hysteria at its worst. I guess the lesson is; don’t cross the NDP/socialists or they will savage you big-time. Worse if you were one of their own it looks like. If you are not singularly focused on SSM, take a look at who will be the best rep for Churchill; the young adult with no life experience, the actress or the hard working labour leader turned 9 year incumbent.

Clayton, I’m equating Bev’s position to that of a hate group’s position. Why? It’s the same position. Sadly, I’m not making it up. As a gay man, it’s rather difficult to look past the fact that an MP who doesn’t want to give me the same rights, privileges and obligations that she enjoys. As for the best representative, that will be up to the voters. Though you may want to re-examine the “young adult with no life experience”. If you disagree with Ms. Ashton on the issues, fine. But take note there have been several effective MPs from all parties elected in their 20’s and 30’s.

Clayton is right Aaron, this is purely laughable what you are saying. To insinuate that somehow, a vote for Bev is the equivalent of supporting the KKK, is totally wrong, and nothing more then a fallacious little piece of slander. Voting for Bev does not mean you hate gay people. Please, do not attempt to guilt-trip us.

Time for you to clearly identify your own sexual practices and other values, Aaron. It is quite obvious that you do not hold any of the traditional family values. Do you also support “hug a thug”, and continued long gun registration”, legalization of drugs,etc. etc.?

Ken, if you read my posts, you’d see where I am gay. But your “sexual practises” highlights your ignorance when it comes to sexuality. Sexual orientation is who you are, not what you do. Sexual behaviour is different. I could remain celibate for the rest of my life and I’d still be gay. Same goes for you. Family values? The family I grew up in was about love and taking care of one another. Please let us know exactly what *your* family values are… and why you’d exlude loving gay and lesbian couples from sharing those family values.

Ever hear of internalized homophobia? Look it up. Sad part is Kris that I respected your mother in her years in the House of Commons. I worked for years in the anti-racism movement and one thing I learned was that you can love someone but not treat them fairly. Bev did NOT treat me with respect when she decided not to support extending the same rights and privileges she enjoys to me. You support SSM. Great. But what would you call your mother’s decision to deny one group of people the same rights and privileges enjoyed by another group? And please don’t use the “civil unions” line. We learned a long time ago that “seperate but equal” was not really equal.

You didn’t answer my first question. What do you call a homosexual who doesn’t support your definition of marriage???

Answered it. Told you to look up internalized homophobia. Now, answer mine. What would you call your mother’s decision to deny one group of people the same rights and privileges enjoyed by another group?

She didn’t deny you your rights and priviledges, she voted her conscience. She believes in the seperation of church and state.
The internalized homophobia is a silly argument; none of my gay friends who oppose “marriage” are uncomfortable with who they are or what they believe in. But of course you could come back with “they just don’t recognize their own state of internalized homophobia” so round and round we go…

Aaron, did you know there is also such a term as internalized heterophobia? Internatlized sexism? Internalized racism? If you are going to accuse others of such a thing, then how do you know you don’t suffer from it also?

Aaron wrote, “and why you’d exlude loving gay and lesbian couples from sharing those family values.”

My disagreement with you is based upon the idea of extending the semblence of traditional marriage to gay couples. If gay couple wish to live together and even have a form of civil union which extends legal responsibility for each other and shared property rights, then that is another matter and would probably be much more accepted by the public.

But to intrude into the traditional definition of marriage is not acceptable. Marriage was developed in all societies races and nationalities as a sanctioning and encouragement of heterosexual couple to procreate and preserve and extend the society with a view to growth of that society. GAY COUPLES CANNOT PROCREATE WITHIN THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIP!

Your tactic and that of other gay people within the NDP is to use smear tactic to try and discredit those of us that oppose your stance.

One thing you have to remember about a lot within the gay community…they are all for progressiveness, tolerance, diversity and respect…until you disagree with them. Take control away from them and they become the most vicious, personal, vindictive people you ever meet. They can be nice to your face but on many occasions they won’t think twice about stabbing you in the back if it means an opportunity to further their cause. They tend to take disagreement and independent thought as a personal threat and they react accordingly.

I intend to support Bev Desjarlais because she has been an excellent MP and has listened to and represented the wishes of her constituents. I also must say that I totally agree with her opposition to SSM and her stance on traditional family values.

Aaron, I am not about to go through the entire list of traditional family values for you because with you mindset you would reject them without any consideration. It would simply be a waste of time trying to convince you, just as it is a waste of time for you to try and change my opinion.

Enough said about the matter.

Canada needs courageous people like Bev Desjarlais; wake up Churchill – you have got a fighter – keep her!!!; If I lived there I would vote for her…

I have to agree wholeheartly with Aaron.

As a black man who grew up in the turbulent 50’s in Canada, I completly understand where gay people are coming from. I’m sorry to say to Ken and others that they are supporting a form a discrimination. And it’s my place as a straight man to help gays fight that. How many gay people are you friends with Ken? Not many I’m assuming considering your views and attitudes. As Coretta Scott King said “Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood.” She went on to say that her husband’s struggle parallels that of the gay rights movement (Chicago Sun Times, April 1, 1998, p.18). Mrs. King is a strong supporter of same-gender marriage as to her it’s a civil rights issue. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-24-king-marriage_x.htm).

The treatment gays get today is much the same kind I experienced. When I was 13, a barber wouldn’t cut my hair because he said “I don’t cut black peoples hair”. When I married by wife, a white woman, it was blasphemy.

And family values? Here are people talking about family values trying to exclude people from being more family friendly. Family values to me are not about hate and exclusion. And in the end, when our gay friends get married, it does nothing to my marriage. Only helps make is stronger knowing we aren’t a part of a “straight only” club. And this thing about civil unions is bull. Seperate but equal doesn’t cut it. I’ve had to deal with that and it’s not humane.

I agree with what you say, Ken…have thought it myself, but felt sufficiently browbeaten into keeping quiet about it. If the people who frequent the Babble.ca forum are any indication, they have become what they say they most despise. It seems odd that they do not realize that they are shooting themselves in the foot by being that way. Since SSM is now a fact in Canada, I don’t understand why they continue to look at things from the position of the oppressed. Nelson Mandela doesn’t, and he’s a black South African. There are a lot of oppressed people in the world and Gay Canadians do not rank high on the list. Everyone has to deal with nasties in their lives, not just gays…Perhaps someone can tell us of a representatvie body of the gay community that seeks to change people’s heterosexist attitudes through positive behaviour and not by alienating or bullying.

Niki Ashton is clearly a star candidate! She speaks five languages and will definite be a great asset for Churchill in Ottawa. She is young, I guess that makes her a prodigy.

The gay-lesbian community has hijacked the agenda of the NDP just as the special interest groups in the USA had hijacked the Democrat’s agenda and in so many elections led to its defeat. The NDP will have to be much more cautious about who controls the strings within their party or it will destruct from within. Just about every topic that the NDP now puts forward now has to pass through the gay-lesbian approval process before it is sanctioned by the party. THE TAIL IS WAGGING THE DOG.

Hi, Ken. Could you please provide examples and proof of what you’re talking about. Sounds a lot like the left saying the right is hijacked by the religious right.

Bev might not win, but it will be close. Bev is very popular among the Natives and she is especially popular in the more remote portions of the riding.

Congratulations Manitobans and voters of Churchill. You had the only woman with balls in the whole House of Commons. The Lenin look alike NDP Fuehrer- scratch a socialist uncover a tyrant-
knows nothing about parliamentary democracy.
The idea is you make your own independent judgement according to your intellect and free will, not a slave of party discipline nor of delusions of your constituents. Otherwise why have 308 MPs just have a voting machine or three or four leaders who decide everything.

Lib: 25.8%
CPC: 15.9%
NDP: 31.5%!!!!

So Niki Ashton will win!!

Sinharitiria Niki!!

It is a shame if Bev does not get reelected in this riding as an independent. She followed through with what she told her local electorate she would do, going against party lines, and deserves total respect for that.

Well it is Tina Keeper who has won, and by a handsome amount at that. Many People just could not bring themselves to vote for Niki. I do not blame them.

The real story had little to do with Ashton (or Desjarlais for that matter) in the end. About 5000 more voters showed up than in last election, the vast majority of whom came from the smaller communities and voted Liberal. Translation: the native vote turned out for Keeper in a big way, which is not such a bad thing for the native community. Meanwhile, Ashton made a strong showing on the basis of some hard work; she has nothing to be ashamed of.

Bev Desjarlais was ousted from the NDP party because she upheld Biblical values – those same values are contrary to Jack Layton’s values. You can all speculate that it was for other reasons, but it was a clash of values that was Bev’s undoing. Shame on Jack Layton and any other NDP that opposes God’s Word.

Tina is doing nothing. We need the conservatives to gewt in here next election.

Tina Keeper didn’t even have a platform before the election and won. This is why I don’t like celebrities running for office, they’re awfully mediocore yet popular.