Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Media Exposure Notice!

Sorry for not posting this a few weeks back, but as many of you may have noticed, I'm back on the CBC Information Morning Political Panel. You can tune in to hear me every Friday morning at 7:45 am at 1070 on the AM dial.

Alternately you can listen here: http://www.cbc.ca/nb/

NDP General Membership Meeting/Réunion d'assemblée générale NPD

(La version francaise suit l'anglais)

Dear Members:

Notice of a General Meeting for the
Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe NDPIn anticipation of the Federal Convention to be held September 8, 9 & 10thin Quebec City PQ, the riding association will be holding a general meetingfor all members on June 4th, 2006 at 1:00 pm in Room 226 of the MonctonUnion Centre, 96 Norwood Street Moncton.Agenda for the meeting:- Executive Report- Selection of Convention Delegation- Passing of resolutions to submit to Convention Any members wishing to propose resolutions are asked to forward them toKathy Leger in advance of the meeting (kaleger@nb.sympatico.ca), fortranslation and duplication purposes. Federal Office has encouraged us to send as many delegates as possible(particularly Youth Delegates), although potential delegates should bear inmind they may be responsible for their own costs (including registrationfees). Hope to see you there! - Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe Riding Executive

---------------------------------------

Avis d’assemblée générale néo-démocrate pour
Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe

En prévision du congrès fédéral prévu pour les 8, 9 et 10 septembre dans la ville de Québec, l’association de circonscription tiendra une assemblée générale de ses membres le 4 juin 2006 à 13 heures dans la salle 226 du Centre syndical de Moncton, au 96 de la rue Norwood, à Moncton.

Ordre du jour de l’assemblée :

- Rapport du bureau de direction
- Sélection de la délégation au congrès
- Adoption de résolutions pour le congrès

Tout membre qui souhaite proposer des résolutions est prié de les envoyer à Kathy Léger avant l’assemblée (kaleger@nb.sympatico.ca) pour traduction et reproduction.

Le bureau fédéral nous encourage à envoyer le plus de délégués possible (particulièrement des jeunes), même si tous n’auront pas droit au remboursement de leurs frais de voyage et des droits d’inscription.

Au plaisir de vous revoir à cette occasion!

- Le Bureau de direction de la circonscription de Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe

Monday, January 30, 2006

So Now What?

Well, it's been a week since "E-Day" and probably as good a time as any to crawl out of my coma and get right back to work.

We're still doing a lot of post-mortem work on the election (tying off the campaign finances, moving stuff into storage, etc.) but at the same time we want to capitalise on our momentum and keep things moving.

To that end, I'll be meeting with the Riding Executive ASAP and we'll set a date for the next Annual General Meetting. From there we can move forward with a number of initiatives to fundraise, attract new members and continue to work the riding.

As for me, I plan to stay as active in the community as possible. This week I joined the Common Front for Social Justice here in Moncton, and am greatly looking forward to working with the tremendous group of volunteers they have here in the area (for more info, click on the link in the side scroll). We were very proud to have been able to help a number of people get the assisstance they needed during the course of the campaign, but the Common Front has been here advocating on behalf of people in need for years. I'm delighted that they've accepted me into their ranks, and can't wait to get to work.

In the Times Transcript this weekend, the Sleuth fingered me for a City Council bid and a lot of you have contacted me about the same subject. I'm flattered and it's certainly something to think about, but two years is a little far to project right now. Heck, two days is a little far to project right now!

In the meantime, I plan to keep up on the blog, although probably with a little less frequency than before. Still, check back every now and then and see what's shaping up for me and the progressive community here in Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe.

Be seeing you.

-DH

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

THANK YOU! / MERCI!

(La version française suit)

Dear Friends,

This is truly a riding on the move: more than nine thousand voters cast their ballots for the NDP here in Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe! That’s not only the most we’ve ever done here, it puts our average vote in the riding above the party’s national numbers!

Trust me when I say this is only the beginning. We have a dedicated campaign team who will be sticking around, and just as importantly, we’ve collected tonnes of data this time that we’ll be analyzing to help us really work the riding and build on what is now a solid base.

I want to thank each and every one of you for making this campaign a tremendous success. From the ground crew, to the canvassers to the sign committee, everyone pulled their hardest and we’ve got great results to show for it. Ian, Cecile and I couldn’t be more grateful for all the help you’ve given.

But our work’s not done yet! Just because the election is over doesn’t mean poverty goes away here. Nor does it mean public health care is safe, that seniors don’t need a strong voice, or that students’ financial burdens are any easier. We need to be vigilant and we will be. We will be watching Mr. Murphy very closely as well as the new Government. We will be ready next time and we will be a force to be reckoned with.

Members should stay tuned for upcoming notices of an AGM. It’s time to build on what we’ve started and that includes getting everyone active and engaged. For those of you who aren’t members – SIGN UP (http://donate.ndp.ca/join/?language=english). We’d love to have you be part of the team that makes a difference here in Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe.

It’s been a great ride and I can’t say how honoured and privileged I feel to have been able to stand for you. I hope to see all of you real soon and thank you in person. We did this together and together we’re going to do even more.

Thank you all so much.

- Dave Hackett
NDP Candidate
Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe

--------------------------------------------------


Bien chers amis,

Notre circonscription est en marche : plus de neuf mille électeurs et électrices ont voté NPD dans Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe! Non seulement est-ce notre meilleur résultat jusqu’à maintenant, nous dépassons la moyenne des circonscriptions à l’échelle du parti national!

Croyez-moi, ce n’est qu’un début. Nous avons une équipe électorale dévouée et bien ancrée et, chose non moins importante, nous avons recueilli des tonnes de données cette fois qui nous serviront à mieux concentrer nos énergies et à construire sur les bases solides que nous possédons maintenant.

Je tiens à remercier chacune et chacun d’entre vous pour avoir collaboré au succès formidable de cette campagne. De l’équipe au sol jusqu’au comité d’affichage en passant par la brigade du démarchage, tout le monde a fait son maximum et les résultats obtenus le confirment. Ian, Cecile et moi ne saurions être plus reconnaissants pour toute l’aide que vous nous avez apportée.

Mais le travail n’est pas terminé! Ce n’est pas parce que l’élection est finie que la pauvreté va disparaître dans le milieu, que les soins publics de santé seront plus rassurants, que les personnes âgées se feront mieux entendre ou que la situation financière de la population étudiante va s’améliorer. La vigilance s’impose et nous serons à l’œuvre. Nous surveillerons de près M. Murphy ainsi que le nouveau gouvernement. Nous serons prêts pour le prochain match, mieux préparés que jamais.

Les membres seront bientôt convoqués en AGA. Le temps est venu de construire sur ce que nous avons fait et de mobiliser les effectifs. Si vous n’êtes pas membre, ENGAGEZ-VOUS (http://donate.ndp.ca/join/?language=french). Nous serions ravis de vous avoir au sein de l’équipe qui fait la différence dans Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe.

L’expérience a été exaltante pour moi et je ne saurais vous dire à quel point je me sens honoré d’avoir pu vous représenter dans la circonscription. J’espère avoir le plaisir de vous revoir très bientôt et de vous remercier en personne. C’est ensemble que nous avons agi et c’est ensemble que nous pourrons faire encore mieux.

Soyez remerciés du fond du cœur.

David Hackett
Candidat NPD
Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Here We Go!

Had a great day on the door in Dieppe today and in a few minutes I'm heading up towards Irishtown for a pamphlet drop.

It's been one heck of a ride and everyone's feeling the buzz as we get set for tomorrow.

We're going to shake things up like you wouldn't believe in this riding.

I'll be out with my team, personally driving those who need it to the polls. If you need a lift, please call 861-1180 and we'll be happy help.

Go Vote!

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Believe It!

With two days left until E-Day, I thought it would be a good idea to outline some of the accomplishments of this campaign:

WE were the first on the ballot

WE were the first with our signs out.

WE were the first on the doorstep.

WE were the first to go public with a position on the Petitcodiac River.

WE won the debates.

WE had the most visibility.

WE helped real families here in the community.

WE were endorsed by the New Brunswick Federation of Labour.

WE scored the highest on the EGALE report card.

WE have worked the hardest, longest and smartest in this campaign.

Anyone who tells you differently must work in a newspaper editorial department.


To that end, I urge all of you who’ve had a positive experience with this campaign, or had great things to say about it, to write, fax or phone your local media RIGHT NOW and let them know.

Change is in the air in this riding, you just have to vote for it.

Believe!

A Word From Ed...

"I saw Paul Martin during the 1990s after we had surplus after surplus and building up surplus as well, while millions of kids went to bed hungry, while thousands of Canadians were homeless and we were the only G-8 country without a housing program. Doing nothing on the environment. In fact George Bush did more on the environment than Paul Martin...These are not progressive people. The only time they talk about being progressive is in the dying days of an election campaign."

-Ed Broadbent, 2006

Momentum Continues To Build....

Every night on the doorstep is better than the last! People in this riding are really talking about us and what we're doing.

This weekend will be one last push to meet as many of you as possible. We'll be at Dieppe market with Neil Gardner at 8:00 am, then moving to the other markets and from there back onto the doorsteps.

It's time for a better option.

Let's make it real here in Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe!

Friday, January 20, 2006

Post-Debate Observation

Interesting to note that in the closing statements during the debate at UdeM yesterday, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Doucet both chose to take a swipe at the NDP and our platform, whereas before their strategy had been to ignore and attempt to marginalise us.

Could some people be getting nervous?


Four days left. Let's make them count!

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Happy Birthday!

In a few hours it will be Tasha's birthday.
















She will get to spend her birthday taking our son to the hospital for his tests, making sure the kids get to and from daycare and then looking after them by herself for the afternoon and evening, getting them to bed and probably knocking out herself before I ever get back from the campaign trail.

Not a fun way to spend your special day, huh? I promise that next week I'll be making it all up with dinner and a night away from the kids.

Tasha has been my rock through all of this and has never once complained about the slack I've been leaving behind in our family life during the campaign.

I certainly wouldn't be as sane if I didn't have her to come home to every night.

After the 23rd I'm most looking forward to making up for lost family time and getting knee-deep in diapers, bedtime stories, dishes, garbage duty and grocery runs.

Even if we have to do some of it in Ottawa.

Happy Birthday, Bear!

Press Release

(English follows)
LE CANDIDAT DU NPD, DAVID HACKETT, MET À PROFIT LES DERNIERS JOURS DE LA CAMPAGNE

Moncton.- Avec seulement cinq jours de reste avant que les électeurs se rendent aux urnes, le candidat néodémocrate dans Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, David Hackett, continue de faire des progrès, s’engageant à fond pour convaincre les électeurs d’appuyer le NPD.

« Les libéraux ne méritent pas votre vote cette fois, et les conservateurs sont complètement à côté sur les enjeux, n’a-t-il cessé de répéter. Nous voulons le plus de néodémocrates possible au parlement afin d’obtenir des choses concrètes pour les gens. »

Les nombreux contacts qu’il a eu la chance de faire pendant sa campagne lui ont confirmé que les personnes âgées, les soins de santé et la pauvreté demeuraient toujours à la pointe des préoccupations dans la circonscription.

« Votez NPD si vous voulez qu’on s’occupe en priorité des travailleurs et travailleuses, des personnes âgées, des jeunes, de leurs chances d’emploi et de la sauvegarde du régime public de santé », a-t-il dit.

Voici le calendrier de David Hackett pour cette semaine.

Calendrier

Mercredi 18 janvier
13 h Lakeview Manor, Riverview
14 h Royal Court, Riverview
Visites à domicile
Jeudi 19 janvier
11 h Débat, Université de Moncton
14 h Castle Manor
Visites à domicile
Vendredi 20 janvier
10 h 30 People’s Park Tower, Rose Room, 55, ruelle Camden

Samedi 21 janvier
8 h Marché de Dieppe, puis les marchés de Moncton, pour faire ses emplettes et rencontrer les gens

Dimanche 22 janvier
Visites à domicile

Renseignements : Cecile Cassista 861-1180 ou cell: 860-7682

-------------------------------------------------------------

NDP CANDIDATE DAVE HACKETT TAKES INITIATVE TO WIN OVER VOTERS IN FINAL WEEK

Moncton: With only 5 days left before voters go to the polls, Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe NDP Candidate David Hackett continues to make gains, going all out convincing electors to support the NDP.

“The Liberals do not deserve your vote this time, and the Conservatives are still wrong on the issues” said Hackett. “We want to ensure that we get results for people by electing as many New Democrats to Parliament as we can.”

David Hackett says that he has had the opportunity to meet hundreds of people during the campaign and seniors, health care and poverty remain major issues in the riding.

“Vote NDP for change that puts working people at the front of the line” Hackett said. “Seniors, kids, opportunity for young people and protecting public health care.”

David Hackett’s schedule for this week includes continuing his outreach efforts in the riding.

Schedule

Wednesday, January18
1:00 p.m. Lakeview Manor, Riverview
2:00 p.m. Royal Court, Riverview
Canvassing
Thursday, January 19
11:00 a.m. Student debate University of Moncton
2:00 p.m. Castle Manor
Canvassing

Friday, January 20
10:30 a.m. People’s Park Tower, Rose Room, 55 Camden Court.

Saturday, January 21
8:00 a.m. Dieppe Market, then moving on to the Moncton markets, doing his weekly shopping and meeting with voters.

Sunday, January 22
Canvassing

For more information: Cecile Cassista 861-1180 or Cell: 860-7682

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

"An Election Carol"

While canvassing Dominion St. , one of our volunteers came across this lawn display:


















Turns out it's the work of Michelle LeBlanc and her firend Tom Windle. Michelle planned to make the display as a Christmas gift for Tom, but she got behind schedule and decided to save it for election week.

Have a look at some of Michelle's characters:


The Liberal Scrooge:





















The Conservative Grinch:




















NDP Rudolph (lighting the way...)



















And of course, the story is not complete without Tiny Tim:















I had never met Tom and Michelle before today, but I'm sure glad I got to. They have a great sense of fun and obviously put a lot of hard work into this.

And what's really great is that Tom and Michelle are indicative of a lot of people I'm meeting on the doorstep. People who are fed up with the Liberals and Conservatives and really ready for positive change in this riding. We're getting a lot of buzz and our momentum is growing.

The next six days will be a mini-marathon for me, but thinking of all the people I've met and the families that we've been able to help so far in this campaign, I know we'll hit that finish line. And with your help, we'll get there first!

-DH (pictured with Tom below - Michelle had to get to work before we got the camera)

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Where's Dave on Monday?

9:30 - Interview on Radio CJSE

12:00 - Rotary/Chamber of Commerce Debate (at the Delta)

Afternoon and evening - Canvassing, canvassing, canvassing.


(And if you missed the first debate it's on Rogers again at 8pm Monday)

"There is a Better Choice"

Jack lays it all out in a rally speech on the weekend:

Click Here

Saturday, January 14, 2006

What a Week!

Sorry for the brief absence, but this campaign has been running full steam ahead and I haven't had time to jump on-line all that often.

A Brief summary of the week:

Meetings with:

  • The Greater Moncton Airport (Pictured below)
  • The Mayor and Council of Riverview
  • The Mayor of Dieppe
  • The Mayor of Moncton
  • Sunny Brae Middle school (5-6)
  • All Candidates Meeting with the Chamber of Commerce


















Media:

Press releases for the Airport Overpass and the Petitcodiac River position
  • "Question Jar" Segment for CBC Radio
  • Profile in "Here" Magazine
  • Editorial board meeting (and resulting article) with the Times and Transcript
  • CBC TV Riding Profile
  • Comments in various Print and Radio outlets after the strong showing in the"Women and Families" debate.


Speaking of Debates....
















Me, Camille and Ron at the Rogers Debate.

Watch the Debate this week!

We had a very strong showing at the Rogers Television debate and that it will really open a lot of eyes here in the riding. Tune in an get as many of your friends as you can to do the same.

Schedule:

  • January 15 5PM
  • January 16 8PM
  • January 18 7PM
  • January 19 9PM

Saturday will be Blitz day as we'll have all of our volunteers beating the street and getting the message out.

Next week, we enter the home stretch with two more debates, lots of canvassing, plenty of media and maybe even a "Dave Wave" or two to boot!

See you on the doorstep!

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

PLATFORM!

The 2006 Platform is now online!

enjoy.

Debate Night 1

Had a great showing at the Rogers TV debate tonight. I'll post the air dates later in the week.

Up Next: "The Women and Family" Debate tonight (Wednesday).

I've got lots of updates to post, including Press Releases and pictures from the Airport meeting. Right now, however, I have an appointment with my pillow.

See you on the doorstep!

DH

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

"Dave Wave" - Dieppe!

Merci Dieppe !

Il faisait froid, mais nous avons eu un bon temps !

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Where's Dave this week?

Monday: "Dave Wave" hits Dieppe from 7:30 to 8:30am
CBC Profile interview at 10:00 (Air Date TBA)
Meeting and Press Conference at the Greater Moncton Airport at 2:30

Tuesday: Meet and Greet Lunch with the Rotary Club/Chamber of Commerce
Rogers Television Debate (18:00)

Wednesday: "Women and Families" Debate (19:30) - Lions Seniors Centre, St. George Street.

Thursday: Meeting with Riverview Mayor and Council

And of course, all week I'll be canvassing every spare minute of the day and night. Plus you never know when the next "Dave Wave" will appear!

See you all out there!

-DH

Friday, January 06, 2006

The Dave Wave!

Today marked the Moncton debut of the "Dave Wave"!

We had several of our volunteers and staff out at the traffic circle today, waving and cheering on the drive home crowd.

The response was tremendous! People were genuinely happy to see us and we literally had hundreds of people honking and waving in return as they drove by.

Expect to see us again, elsewhere in the riding.

You never know where or when a "Dave Wave" will show up!

















Carly and Ian, our father/daughter team!















Campaign Manager Cecile, enjoying a rare chance to get out of the office!
















Sebastien, showing his bigtime support for Jack!
















Andrew, looking stylish in his new NDP touque!

















The Candidate, making new friends a carload at a time!

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Media Exposure Notice!

Jorge Barrera at the Times Transcript ran an excellent piece today, some of which is quoted below.

A major Liberal health-care announcement made yesterday met with a lukewarm reception from health-care professionals and triggered calls for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe Liberal candidate Brian Murphy to state his position on private health care.

------
In the Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe riding, NDP candidate Dave Hackett used the health-care issue to take aim at what he believes to be Murphy's Achilles heel: the privatization of public services.

While Moncton's mayor, Murphy supported a sole-sourced contract with firm US Filter to privatize part of the city's water system.

-------

Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe NDP candidate Dave Hackett said his party is clear no public dollars should fund private health care and demanded Liberal candidate Murphy come clean about his views on the issue.

"We are concerned with Mr. Murphy's track-record of using privatization for things in the public realm. He has favoured the privatization of the water system, is he going to commit the same mistakes with health care?" said Hackett.

The riding's Conservative candidate Charles Doucet said he believes Murphy shares his view public dollars should fund the private delivery of health services if it makes the system more efficient.

"I am definitely in agreement with Murphy's history of espousing public-private partnerships with municipalities," said Doucet. "If (Murphy's) history and his background is any indication, I suspect he would be more in line with the Conservative party on this issue."

Murphy did not return phone calls made late yesterday afternoon.

Of course, Mr. Doucet is wrong in his belief that the private sector improves healthcare efficiency. There is no evidence to support this and in fact most pundits claim the opposite is true.

What he may be right on is Mr. Murphy (and by extention his party) being more and more in line with the Conservative way of thinking every day.

St. Augustine's

Paid a visit to the Soup Kitchen at St. Augustine's Catholic Church on Dominion Street today to talk to people about the issues. The kitchen serves over 150 people every day, and that's only for one meal.

Poverty, hunger and affordable housing are major issues in this riding, no matter how much growth and prosperity others will claim in our community.

I also stopped back in the kitchen to thank some of the volunteers for their selfless efforts in serving their community. You'll not meet a nicer group of people.
















Pictured: Paulette (Manager), Susan (Volunteer), Gordon (Cook) and me.

All of the area Soup Kitchens and Food Banks need support from you. Please consider donating your time and/or money to the one nearest you. It's your community you're helping.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Busy week to open "Phase II"

Canvassing, canvassing, canvassing!

We've been all over Moncton yesterday and today, and move over to Riverview tomorrow and Dieppe by the evening. Expect to see us on your doorsteps all this week in every community.

Had great interviews today with Here Magazine and the Times Transcript. As well, Global televison did an interview yesterday with some canvassing footage. Look for them in the next few days.

Two debates next week: Rogers Televison on the 10th and on the 11th there will be "Women and Families" debate at the Lions Seniors Centre on St. George. Details to follow shortly.

Also be on the lookout for the "Dave Wave" this Friday. What's that you ask? Just stay tuned....

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Media Exposure Notice

The Times Transcript's Aloma Jardine did a nice profile on all Candidates.

Here's some of it:

NDP candidate David Hackett got a jump on his fellow candidates by being the first candidate nominated in any party in the Atlantic provinces.

"We thought that sent a strong message that we were serious about this riding and weren't going to take a back seat to anybody this time around," he says.

Hackett says he's already heard a lot of concerns about health care in his rounds.

"We're obviously expecting the (Petitcodiac) river to become one of the focal points of this campaign as well as a lot of the national things like affordable housing, tuition for students, senior care, and health care," he says."

And I think trust is going to be a big issue both nationally and locally in this campaign."

&

Hackett too believes the time is ripe for third parties.

"We feel the NDP showed we can get results for people with the budget we passed and the work we did on trying to protect health care," he says.

I also found it interesdting that the Conservatives are now advocating the upgrade of the sewage treatment plant. It's been part of our platform for months.

Click here for the link