Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson steering committee member Mike Watkins discusses this report in some detail on his web-log.

• We called for David Emerson to do the right thing - resign and run, as a Conservative, in the riding of Vancouver--Kingsway. Give back democracy to the 46,168 electors whose ballots he and Stephen Harper effectively stole.
• We said we'd keep this fight going until Emerson resigned, or into the next general election if need be.
• We said that what Emerson and Harper did can't be allowed to stand, or be repeated, therefore we would organize non-partisan public opposition to Emerson if he chose to run for office again. All politicians must be made to realize that citizens will not stand idly by while democracy is attacked by those lead us.

The Campaign to De-Elect Emerson continues to meet, work, and organize in support of our stated objectives. We'll be there if Emerson runs again, no matter where he runs. Count on it.

Our MP-in-hiding was elected by many in this riding because of his support for specific policies -- many of these policies Emerson must now vote against, despite his campaign promises to the contrary. Our representative in parliament didn't consult with any of us before making this decision, but we certainly get to pay the price.

Any MP worth their salt would consult constituents before completely reversing positions on important policy matters, but we all know that Emerson has no intention of actually meeting with the public in an open forum.

Since Mr. Emerson won't do his job, the people simply will have to do it for him. On June 22nd come join us for a public forum at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce Street (1 block from the Joyce Street Skytrain Station / 4 blocks north of Kingsway) and add your voice to the discussion.

Views, concerns and issues uncovered during the forum will be documented in a formal report. We will ensure that riding residents' voices are heard in Ottawa, one way or another.

Help us advertise this event - distribute posters in your neighbourhood, schools and offices: print this poster and go! (Adobe PDF Format)

We have mail!
Amazingly, even after all this time, our mailbag sees very little "pro Emerson" commentary, and what little that does trickle in tends to be infantile - not the sort of stuff Emerson would like to be associated with. Here's an example, received today, advocating suicide:

X-Pop-User: rob_chimko.dakeryn.com
From: "Dave Wardle Jr"
To: info@emersoncampaign.ca
Subject: Good Idea
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2006 13:37:17 -0700

I recommend you go on a hunger strike until there is a by-election, and don't cheat by having any fluids.
P.S. I'm non-partisan as well !

Dave Wardle
Dakeryn Industries Ltd
604-986-0323

Perhaps Mr. Wardle is 'non-partisan' but he certainly isn't free from bias. His employer, Dakeryn Industries, is a member of the British Columbia Wholesale Lumber Association - the very same organization which is putting on the Emerson roast indoors this evening.

The plot thickens. Looking back in our mailbag we find another message from a Dakeryn dude:

From: "Brad Taylor"
To: info@emersoncampaign.ca
Subject: non-partisan
Date: 15 May 2006, 04:10:54 PM

Are you kidding me …non-partisan ???? What you are is a joke.

Brad Taylor
Dakeryn Industries Ltd.
Specialty Products-daktrim/dakdeck/daksiding
Phone (604) 986-0323
Fax (604) 986-3464
Cell (604) 817-7547
Email brad_taylor@dakeryn.com

Vancouver-Kingway residents had their votes stolen as effectively as if Emerson or Stephen Harper marched into the polling stations and walked out with the ballots under their arms.

Few in the riding consider it a laughing matter, Mr. Taylor.

The Dis-Honourable David Emerson Roast
June 8th, Vancouver
Corner of Hastings and Hornby
5:30pm until we're done

While various fans and critics of the proposed softwood lumber deal with the U.S. continue to dog it out, one industry group has seen fit to honour David Emerson as “Lumberman of the Year” at their annual roast, despite him having left the lumber business years ago.

The people of Emerson’s riding have quite another opinion of duplicitous David and will hold a simultaneous roast of their own just outside industry’s celebrations at the haughty Vancouver Club.

Help spread the word: email your friends; talk to your neighbours; put up posters (PDF) and join us next Thursday evening for a night of fun, food and song.

Emerson arrived shortly after 6:30 and was greeted by over two dozen De-Elect Emerson campaigners who had assembled to carry on calling out for Emerson's resignation. The errant MP acknowledged the protesters with a blithe wave of the hand and quickly ducked inside.

"We never see Emerson in the riding, so we have to track him down at black tie events just to get a glimpse of our so-called representative in parliament," said Andrea Richardson, spokesperson for the De-Elect Emerson Campaign.

Jurgen Claudepierre, who has been protesting on street corners and at rallies every week since Emerson joined the Conservative government against the clear wishes of riding voters, commented "The guy just doesn't get it. This is a democracy. The people must decide who they want to represent them. The guy ran as a liberal. He has to resign and run again to earn a mandate."

Emerson will again hobnob with the black tie crowd on June 8th where he will be honoured as Lumberman of the Year at the 26th Annual B.C. Wholesale Lumber Association 'Roast'. The event takes place in the Grand Ballroom of the Vancouver Club 915 West Hastings Street.

The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson has a special event planned for that same night. Details on the people's roasting of the dishonourable member of public will be available soon.

As I have stated on many occasions previously, I will continue that dialogue in earnest with all of my constituents - remaining accountable to them in the next federal election. David Emerson

First of all, The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson must point out that Emerson isn't being honest with us. We have made a number of formal and informal requests for meetings with David Emerson. Most requests have been completely ignored; as reported in these pages, our formal request for a town hall meeting, designed to give Emerson the opportunity to be accountable to his constituents, was flatly rejected.

Of greater concern, Emerson continues to live under the illusion that he is accountable to no one except once every few years on election day. That he can do anything with complete impunity including breaking many committments and promises, and dropping support for policies and programs that he sold himself on.

Emerson was elected by the people of our riding to represent us, and to represent a certain set of views in the House of Commons. He was elected to defend Kyoto. He was elected to oppose participation in U.S. Ballisitic Missile Defense System participation. He was elected to support a real national child care system. He was elected to support the Aboriginal Accord. He was elected to support immigration.

Now, in each case, he is or will be doing the opposite of what most constituents in this riding elected him to do. When Emerson agreed to join the Conservatives, despite being elected just days before as a Liberal, he also explicitly agreed to vote against many programs and policies that he previously supported. Programs and policies that got him elected.

No one in this riding voted for that.

Whether or not one agrees with the stand Emerson took when he was elected, the crux of the matter is this: if our votes are to mean anything, elected members of parliament or provincial legislatures have to stand for something. Emerson, by his very action, stands for nothing.

Emerson works for some mythical constituency, but it isn't ours, and by his actions its been clearly proven that he has no intention of working for his constituents or representing their views.

The only way Emerson can clear his name is to resign and run again in a by-election to earn a legitimate mandate. Has he the guts, the true grit, if you will, to face the voters today?

Each of the four foot by eight foot petitions is covered with the signatures of scores of Vancouver-Kingsway residents, all calling upon the Prime Minister and David Emerson to do the right thing - call a by-election for Vancouver-Kingsway.

If you missed the opportunity to sign these petitions, you can still make your voice heard. Help us continue to remind the Prime Minister that real Canadians want our country's democracy protected, by sending them a postcard in the mail of your own - postage free.

If you have a printer, and some card stock (80 pound or 110 pound weight from a local office supply store), you can make your own postcards for friends and neighbours to send. Down load the template here (PDF).

Remember - mail to any Member of Parliament goes postage-free!

Next week marks 100 days of mis-representation so lets be sure to remind David Emerson and Stephen Harper that we are all still waiting for them to stand up for Canada and do the right thing.

For Immediate Release

May 8, 2006, Vancouver-Kingsway - On February 6th, David Emerson, re-elected as BC's most senior Liberal MP just a couple weeks prior, shocked the country when he arrived at Rideau Hall to join then Prime Minister-elect Stephen Harper's Conservative cabinet and caucus. That same day the country learned that Emerson had been in secret negotiations with Conservatives less than 24 hours after the final votes were counted here in Vancouver-Kingsway.

Since then thousands of riding residents have participated in protests, rallies and forums and have sent a uniform message to Emerson: resign and run in a by-election and earn a legitimate mandate.

Recently, after being forced by the presence of national media to accept a constituent's meeting request, Emerson met with one of the many disenfranchised voters of this riding. Emerson only agreed to do so only on the condition that the voter, Manuel Pereda, vowed to not demand for his resignation.

The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson finds this price of admission far too high.

David Emerson was elected to serve the people of his riding, yet he refuses to engage with his constituents and legitimate community groups that seek his attention. Since he is unwilling to meet constituents without conditions, Emerson is unfit to represent Vancouver-Kingsway.

2 men, Harper and Emerson, secretly conspired to overturn the votes of 46,168 citizens. That's not real democracy and the undemocratic precedent they've set can not be allowed to stand.

It is the view of the Campaign that real change does not happen when important issues are put on the back burner only to silently run dry, and this we will not do. We will continue to keep the issue in the spotlight and pressure on Emerson at full boil for as long as it takes to bring back real democracy to the people of our riding.

The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson represents hundreds of volunteers and tens of thousands of supporters and continues to seek a by-election for Vancouver-Kingsway, and will support any effort undertaken to ensure that what Emerson and Harper did to Canadian voters never happens again in this country.

Reality Check: In fact dozens of requests for meetings have been made through both public and private channels.

A dozen people sitting in David Emerson's office one February afternoon each demanded a meeting with Mr. Emerson. Four of those were arrested. No meeting transpired.

For many weeks various community groups have been trying to get Emerson's attention on their issues, to no avail.

In early March Mike Watkins, one of the campaign's spokespersons, made a formal behind the scenes request for a respectful and private meeting between Emerson and representatives of the community. Despite a series of discussions with Colin Metcalfe, who was later named Chief of Staff to the regional Minister's office, Emerson never accepted the meeting request.

On March 14th the Campaign issued a formal request for Emerson's participation in a town hall meeting. This invitation was flatly rejected.

Residents of Vancouver-Kingsway have gone out of their way to seek an audience with the hide n' seek MP with no success. If David Emerson can't face his constituents, how can he presume to represent us?

Later this month the Campaign will host the first in a series of town-hall meetings on issues of importance to our community. If Mr. Emerson won't do his job, the people will just have to do it for him.

Unsurprisingly, there are many seniors who support The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson and who are very concerned over the state of democracy in our country. We expect that concerned seniors will be in regular attendance.

This morning The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson will also staff an information table outside Emerson's office. Come say hello!

Democracy Watch’s position is that while Belinda Stronach may have violated the MPs Code, the actions of Paul Martin, David Emerson and Stephen Harper were violations of the Public Office Holders Code, given that all three were members of Cabinet when the party-switching actions occurred.

Democracy Watch’s complaints call for an investigation of whether the party-switchers, and the Prime Ministers who rewarded the party switching, violated the requirements in the both codes to act “with honesty” and “uphold the highest ethical standards” in ways that increase “public trust and confidence” in their integrity and the integrity of the federal government. More >

Clearly public trust and confidence in our government and political leaders has been eroded. What's interesting about Democracy Watch's complaint is both the different angle taken plus the request that Shapiro essentially recuse himself and delegate his decision making authority to a provincial ethics commissioner.

We suggest Manitoba take on the task, as it is a jurisdiction that aims to become the first in Canada to pass a floor-crossing prohibition law.

I live in Calgary and I have requested one of your signs. I realize that shipping costs would prohibit me from receiving one, however if you could put a printable version on the web page I would be more than happy to print-off many and distribute them accordingly. You have massive support right across the country. Thank you for standing up for democracy. R.S., Calgary

Actually we'll ship signs across the country - just fill out our sign request form and we'll follow up to arrange delivery.

Thanks for keeping me up to date. Keep up the fight!! J.H.

Wish I was there! Saw Harper's comments on Global about Emerson being a star MP and how 'only a few' people in Vancouver oppose his decision to cross. What a bunch of garbage. Keep it up and thanks! B.J.

I voted Conservative but now think it was a big mistake. Emerson was voted in by the Liberal majority in his riding. He should have resigned instead of switching. It is pure and obvious opportunism and he should stand for re-election in the riding. I reside in a neighboring riding so would not have a say in the decision. But Both Stephen Harper and Emerson need to be reminded who they work for - the majority of us who believe in a democratic political government system. M.V.

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date about Emerson's activities. I'm not sure he is the kind of fellow that knows what it means when one uses the expression "now, you made your bed - you need to lie in it!" Carry on - we are getting somewhere with this movement. J.H., Vancouver--Kingsway

Let the folks out there know how proud they are making us as Canadians. R.J., Montreal

Keep up the good work. Unfortunately, living in Victoria prevents me from attending these events, but we are with you in spirit, and everyone here shares the same disgust in his actions. This is too important a democratic principle to ignore! L.E., Victoria

Don't stop now! Keep up the great fight guys you have a right to your position, and I know people outside the riding are cheering you on. Don't give up. Don't let them marginalize your vote like that. Congratulations, you've rejuvenated my spirit for politics again. Great effort. C.B., Vancouver--Kingsway

Way to go. Time to raise a little hell, in a democratic way. J.L., Montreal

Canadians right across the country support our fight for real democracy. Keep speaking out, wherever you may live. Write letters, speak with your Member of Parliament, talk to your friends and neighbours about this and other issues of interest. Our campaign has proved that ordinary Canadians can do extraordinary things - lets all get in on the action!

Sign theft has been an unfortunate regular occurrence, but is a clear indication that our campaign is having a real impact. The campaign wishes to remind supporters that any missing sign will be happily replaced ASAP - just fill out our sign request form again and we'll get right on it.

Two weeks ago the Campaign learned someone posing as a Vancouver city official attempted to intimidate residents who have been showing their support for our campaign to bring back real democracy to Vancouver-Kingsway. The City would like to know the identity of the imposter, and if the individual is identified, the Campaign will ask the city to consider if charges should be laid.

The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson will recommend that charges are pressed against any person discovered to be stealing campaign signs, and we suggest that law-abiding Conservatives should do a better job of policing their own supporters.

The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson two days ago called for an official policy from Appleton, his riding association, the Conservative Party and the Prime Minister. No apology has yet been offered. When will the Prime Minister and his party do the right thing and stand up for Canada? Racism has no place in our country.

cc: Prime Minister's Office, MP for Burnaby-Douglas, MP for Vancouver Kingsway, on behalf of residents from both ridings who were present during the attack.

I've only been able to attend the initial forum and the people's referendum, but I want to thank you for continuing to go forward with all your actions. It might be the same ten or eleven of you in body at all the protests, as Harper claims, but you are representing far more people than yourselves. Everyone in the riding I have spoken with, about this issue, is furious at Emerson, and want to see a byelection occur. Even on a recent trip to Berlin, I found ex-pats talking about the Emerson issue! And I wasn't the person who brought the topic up! The people I spoke with in Berlin were obviously outraged by Emerson's actions. C.V. Vancouver-Kingsway

Keep up the good work, wish I lived down in your area so I could stand with you. D.H., BC

Thank you to all in this riding to keep up the campaign to de-elect Emerson. I would love to have a sign here, in Ontario, as this effects my riding too. What I mean is that democracy and more importantly local democracy is at stake. J.J., Ontario (sign on the way!)

How can the Ethics Commissioner state that there was no inducement for David Emerson to "cross the floor" ( the floor of his living room?) when he immediately received a cabinet post in the Conservative government. If that's not inducement, I don't know what is... I'm still fuming. I am not a member of any political party and until the Emerson affair came up, I wasn't interested in politics but I sure am now. N.H. North Vancouver