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COSN Federal NDP Updates | June 2023
Summer Reflections
With the summer in full swing, it feels appropriate to look back on the first half of 2023 and take stock of a number of consequential happenings. To keep you in the local loop, we're highlighting a few in this edition of COSN Updates. We'd like to begin by sharing the enduring messages from our COSN AGM in April, then move on with a deep dive into the changing federal electoral boundaries and how that affects us all, then end on congratulating our former COSN NDP candidate Joan Phillip on her resounding by-election win in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant which has earned her a seat in the BC Legislature!
As always, we extend an invitation to the entire membership to contribute to upcoming editions of COSN Updates. If you have an opinion, a story, an event or a photo that you want to share with the COSN NDP, please contact:
• Jeannette Angel (jeannetteangel.ndp@gmail.com), or
• Trevor McAleese (trevor.mcaleese@gmail.com)
Lim’limpt,
Jeannette & Trevor (President & Vice President, COSN Federal NDP Riding Association)
COSN Annual General Meeting - Summary
The COSN AGM occurred on April 2nd, 2023 as a hybrid event online and in-person at the Harold Simpson Memorial Youth Centre in Summerland. The event was attended by approximately 25 people including members, guests and guest speakers. The speakers were candid and inspiring and questions were met with clear and thoughtful responses.
Richard Cannings, MP for South Okanagan—West Kootenay, gave an in-depth report on the Federal NDP in the House of Commons. He underlined the importance of the NDP holding the government to their commitment to a Dentalcare plan that will affect many Canadians who have been without care for years. While the success of speaking up for affordable housing was more difficult because the Liberal minister in charge was less amenable to discussion with NDP representatives, the visibility of the Biden administration on transitioning to a clean economy bolstered NDP efforts to support a Just Transition.
Joan Phillip voiced her support for the current NDP leadership, commenting that the other two parties continue to “pander to the already wealthy.” Along with praise for steps that have been taken, she indicated that after Dentalcare, the NDP needs to push for Pharmacare, pointing to our aging population who experience increasing health challenges. Joan also succinctly stated that “homelessness is now normalized. That’s not normal.” She linked the alarming number of un-homed people with the opioid crisis and reminded all that a holistic approach is needed to address the cycle of trauma, addiction and homelessness.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip brought our attention back to the return of spring and having gratitude “for those things that have been happening for hundreds and hundreds of years, for millennia.” At the same time, he expressed deep concern about the rise of political extremists like Pierre Poilievre and what he represents - populism, white supremacy, and racism. GCSP is worried about the violence on our streets, commenting that it’s not like it was in the past. For instance he recalled the [police] foot patrol, and police officers such as “Whistling Smith” walking on Hastings street in Vancouver. (see: https://www.nfb.ca/film/whistling_smith/). GCSP ended with the encouragement to participate - ” now more than ever we need to strengthen our voice, that speaks out against violence, abuse of women, racism, and white supremacy against people of colour…” He ended by declaring, “I will go to my grave being an NDP… It’s our only hope.”
After these rousing words and more lively discussion we passed on the election of the current COSN Executive, with minimal changes. The following people agreed to fill positions:
• President – Jeannette Angel
• Vice President – Trevor McAleese
• Financial Agent – Susan Davenport
• Secretary – Stella Holliday
• Members-at-Large – Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Dale O'Flynn, Mary Madsen, Spring Hawes, Denise Williams
In a subsequent executive meeting most representatives and chairs reaffirmed their commitments to specific areas of concern with the understanding that our activities will no longer be continued with the COSN riding.
Federal Electoral District Redistribution
In September of this year, the long process of federal electoral districts redistribution will enter its final phase. With the drafting of the Representation Order, the proposed, then reviewed, then acclaimed riding boundaries in BC will be federal election ready, and at that time, our Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola riding will cease to exist. We the constituents of COSN will find ourselves split up across 5 electoral districts: Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola, Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee, Kelowna, Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna, and Similkameen-West Kootenay. This marks a period of transition not only for electoral district associations like ours, but also candidates, incumbent MPs, and the constituents themselves as we all reckon with this redrawn federal map.
It's worth noting that the map may yet see some changes, but see below for a quick reference of a number of prominent communities contained in the soon-to-be-defunct COSN area and which electoral district they will soon belong to:
• Kelowna (East of Casorso Rd / Richter St / Ethel St, North of Mission Creek) - Kelowna
• Kelowna (West of Casorso Rd / Richter St / Ethel St, South of Mission Creek) - Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna
• Westbank - Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna
• Summerland - Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna
• Peachland - Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna
• Merritt - Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola
• Kamloops - Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola
• Keremeos- Similkameen-West Kootenay
• Cawston- Similkameen-West Kootenay
• Penticton- Similkameen-West Kootenay
• Princeton- Similkameen-West Kootenay
• Oliver - Similkameen-West Kootenay
• Fintry - Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee
Elections Canada has provided a detailed series of regional maps to review, including an interactive map of BC that allows current and upcoming electoral district boundaries to be superimposed. Please visit Elections Canada to view their detailed Federal Electoral Districts Redistribution reference material.
From the perspective of the COSN NDP, we in the Executive will find ourselves on various sides of these new boundaries the same as everyone. Once our COSN NDP EDA has officially dissolved, new NDP riding associations will need to be formed in alignment with the updated federal map. We hope that the COSN NDP’s inclusive constitution will provide guidance for the Executives-to-be in these ridings as they organize themselves and seek inspired candidates for nomination in the next federal election.
On that note...
Joan Phillip's Election Win
It is with a great amount of pride that we announce our two-time COSN NDP candidate Joan Phillip has won a seat in the BC legislature! Having received a commanding 68% of the vote in the June 24th by-election for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, Joan finds herself headed to Victoria as a BC NDP MLA. Joan is taking over from former BC NDP cabinet minister Melanie Mark who stepped down in the spring, representing a passing of the torch from one strong Indigenous woman to another in an elected governmental role.
Between the calling of the by-election on May 27th and election day just shy of a month later, Joan campaigned hard and established a host of connections throughout the community. We’re thrilled for Joan and excited for what she has to offer the people of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant as their elected representative in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia!
Joan Phillip with supporters on the campaign trail (photo courtesy of Joan Phillip's Instagram @joanphillipndp)
What's Next?
The next Federal NDP Convention is scheduled for October 13-15 in Hamilton, Ontario. We have an opportunity to send delegates from the COSN NDP to attend. Stay tuned for more details.
Let us know what issues are on the top of mind to highlight at Convention! Feel free to reach out to us:
Call or text Jeannette at 250-681-3692; or email:
• Jeannette Angel (jeannetteangel.ndp@gmail.com), or
• Trevor McAleese (trevor.mcaleese@gmail.com)
