Federal Elections 2011

History in the making Conservative Majority, NDP Opposition

Reading the headlines this morning and listening to the news reports, the word that reflects last night's results was historic. Steven Harper has risen from a member of a fringe party to the leader of a Majority government, the NDP is the official opposition party, and the Green Party has its first seat in parliament. All significant in their own right, dramatic when you consider it all happened in one night.

Leading up to the elections there were rumblings that the mood for change was in the air, Ignatieff and Duceppe were losing ground, but none of the polls came close to predicting the magnitude and historical change we were about to witness. As the votes came in last night, the tsunami wave of Blue and Orange swept Michael Ignatieff and Gilles Duceppe away and changed the political landscape of Canada for the next four years. Shockingly both Liberal and the Bloc party leaders not only saw their party decimated, they could not even get elected in their own riding. When the dust settled and all the votes were counted the Conservative had secured 167 seats, the NDP had 102, the Liberals had 34, the Bloc had 4 and the Green Part had one seat. With a conservative majority government, Canadians had better buckle their seat belts; we are in for one hell of a ride.

If the dark blue conservative cloud that hangs over Canada this morning has a silver lining it is no doubt the historical rise of the NDP and Jack Layton to the status of official opposition. Jacks style, demure and policies won over thousands of voters across Canada to the NDP. Secondly to see Malcolm Allen and Peggy Nash elected are also historical and very gratifying to see.

When Malcolm Allen arrived at the CAW hall last night a large enthusiastic group of friends,family and supporters greeted Malcolm with loud cheers of support. Malcolm said it was amazing to be part of history for the second time, elected in 2008 as the first NDP MPP to represent Welland and in 2011 to become a member of the official opposition party. Malcolm thanked the crowd of supporters and said he was ready to get back to work. Malcolm also thanked the voters, his campaign manager Mike Grimaldi and Peter Kormos, Welland's MPP who Allen said has been a rock for us in this riding.

Results Click here.
Images from Malcolm's Party.
Allen Comes Out on Top in Welland.
Peggy Nash Elected

Elections 2011

As you are all aware there will be a Federal Election May 2nd 2011, this page has been set up as a hub, and so that we can post some pertinent information and links that may be of interest to you. The floowing links below will be updated regularly.

Message From Ken Lewenza

Dear CAW member

April 2011 - With this new election call, Canadians have the opportunity to make major changes on the national stage and set the country in a new direction. As union members, we have a chance to put candidates in office that represent the interests and concerns of working people and re-elect Members of Parliament who have shown their support on important issues. Read More

Election News from the CAW

This CAW website will be posting and updating information about the election on Monday. CAW Website

Malcolm Allen

Malcolm Allen; is a CAW member who worked at General Motors St. Catharines. Prior to being elected to represent Welland as an M.P. Malcolm was the Financial Secretary at CAW Local 199.

A letter From Malcolm to CAW Members Click here.

To visit Malcolm's website Click here.

Alternative Views from Rabble.ca

Rabble.ca is a Canadian based website that offers alternative daily news. If you would like an alternative perspective of election news this website is for you. Rabble.ca

Make it Count - Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates. Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives

CAW Members on YouTube.

CAW members can post and view other members opinions and points of view. CAW Media

Vote Compass

This website has been in the news a fair bit over the past few weeks. You are asked to answer a series of election related questions; your answers are then matched to the platform of the various parties. This all sounds simple enough however the site has received criticism for not being very reliable. The questions are a bit ambiguous and if you read them too quickly, they can be easily misunderstood. Use with care. Vote Compass

Stephen Harper Poster

Stephen Harper Poster Free download CAW Media