Brandon - Friday, May 10, 2002 - by: Ryder Lee
by election	What record are Federal Liberal candidates running on in the by-elections being held on May 13th?
ethics	Not likely disregarding patent laws and ordering Cipro from a campaign contributor instead of the fully capable patent holder. Nor Real estate dealings investigated by an ethics counsellor who reports to the person being investigated.
fishermen & farmers	Probably not failing to take action on fishing infractions in the Grand Banks that have risen 400% or deserting farmers who cannot compete with newly announced American subsidies.
lumber and military equipment	There's little likelihood it's having no plans to assist either companies or employees affected by American softwood lumber tariffs they knew were coming. And less helicopters our military don't have because the purchase is continually postponed or the distinctive forest camouflage uniforms our troops in Afghanistan do have because those suitable for the desert were sold off.
advertising and travel tax	It may be advertising spending in Quebec to defeat separatism ... but maybe not since it they are now subject to an RCMP investigation. Or the security we're getting for the $12.00 each way tax on flying from anywhere to anywhere in the country.
empty seats	The outcome of the by-elections are in seats opened up by retirement, or the reward of appointments to the Senate, or in Alphonso Gagliano's case an ambassadorship.
wake up	Those running to replace them have nothing to campaign on. Hopefully Canadians voting in the by elections across the country will seize the opportunity not to defeat the government but to wake it up.
change	If Liberals are re-elected it will be said Canadians think things are fine in Ottawa. They are not. Let us hope those voting show we are watching and seeking a change.
	Ryder Lee
References:
	Backgrounder on Ryder Lee