Stephen Harper has snubbed the UN Summit to visit the mayor of NYC. When over 100 world leaders attend the summit guess who’s not a world leader? He did make it back for dinner though and then back home for dessert at Timmie’s. Maybe the nation of the Maldives can pack Timbits under their islands to soak up all the water threatening their island nation. Has Harper given any thought that the same thing could be happening here in Canada? We could lose our coastline as it is today (already happening in the North). Climate change does matter and battling it could create the jobs and industry that Canada needs to jumpstart our economy.

Gail Bates - Oshawa Federal Candidate

Gail Bates and members of the Oshawa Federal Green Party were happy to attend Durham Region’s Habitat for Humanity’s new ReStore’s grand opening on September 19th.

ReStores are retail stores that accept and resell quality new and gently used building materials. Everything is donated and the profits go toward Habitat for Humanity’s homebuilding program – restoring hope for low-income families. ReStores also help reduce our environmental footprint by providing an opportunity to reuse materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.

The store is located at 85 Chambers Drive, Unit 6, Ajax, ON L1Z 1E2 or call 905 428 7434 for more information.

Above is a picture of an amazing chandelier Oshawa Green Party members Blaine Leal and Mike Pellegrino picked up for their home at the low cost of only $40.00, brand new still in the orginal box.

“It felt great knowing that not only did we support a great local cause, help the environment, but we also scored a great deal for our home”, stated Mike Pellegrino. “It is a win-win situation for everyone involved and goes to show the community what the Green Party stands for is good for the environment, social issues, and even the economy”, Green Party member Blaine Leal explained.

Discover what it means to make real change. Shop, donate, or volunteer at Durham Region’s ReStore!

Sadly again, Gail Bates and the Oshawa Federal Green Party would like to extend their thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Pte. Johnathan Couturier killed Thursday Sept. 17th in Afghanistan.

Please joins us Sunday Sept. 20th on the Simcoe st. bridge in Oshawa at 3:30 p.m to honour Pte. Couturier as he returns home down the Highway of Heroes.

Yet again, just a week later, we mourn the loss of another Canadian soldier. Once again Gail Bates and the Oshawa Federal Green Party would like to express their condolences to the family of Patrick Lormand killed Sunday in Afghanistan.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Patrick’s family and friends during this difficult time. Thank you for all that you do.

Please join Gail Bates and the Oshawa Federal Green Party for Patrick Lormand’s repatriation ceremony on Wednesday September 16th at 3:30 PM on the Simcoe St bridge in Oshawa to pay our respects as Patrick Lormand returns home on the Highway of Heroes.

I join God knowing,
I fought for my fellow man’s freedom.

My duty complete,
yours to carry on in memory.

For now my mother is crying,
and criticism of our mission arises.

Question not, but always remember,
I am a Canadian soldier.

Sgt. M.J. Watts

Gail Bates and the Oshawa Federal Green Party who like to offer their condolences to the families and friends of the latest two soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Maj. Yannick Pepin and Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin during this time. We thank them for their hardwork, dedication and sacrifice representing Canada in helping Afghanistan once again flourish and stand on its own.

Please join us on the Simcoe St. bridge in Oshawa during their repatriation ceremony as we take time to honour these Canadian heroes as we welcome them home on our Highway of Heroes.

Our thoughts are also with the five soldiers injured on Sunday and we wish them a speedy recovery.

Tuesday, August 25th is a day I’ll remember for a long time. A whirlwind of meet the press, strategic training with deputy leader Adriane Carr and a corn roast to finish off. Three of the Green Party candidates attended, myself, Gail Bates from Oshawa, Rebecca Harrison from Whitby-Oshawa and Kevin Smith from Pickering-Scarborough. It was our first introduction to the local press and we were ready with our speeches about why we are running for the Green Party of Canada. Three people from very different backgrounds who have all come to the same conclusion. The Green Party holds some of the answers about what Canada needs. It goes without saying that the Green Party has a strong committment to the environment but we have an equally strong need to tell the public about our economic stance, our committment to education and student needs, our support of Canada’s health care system. We are no longer the “tree hugging” party of the 80’s but have evolved to meet the needs of Canadians now. So let’s spread the word, the Green Party can build a strong Canadian economy, create jobs, support communities, encourage families. We learned from Adriane Carr, one of the founding members, that the party platform is complete and will provide the answers Canadians need to their questions about the economy, job creation, even the war in Afghanistan. If the other parties think the Green Party doesn’t have a plan, they’re wrong. We did enjoy our training day but I enjoyed more knowing we are ready!