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As your Conservative Party candidate in the Riding of Don Valley West, I wanted to give you an update on our campaign for the next federal election.
In 2008, we narrowed the gap between myself and my Liberal opponent. It is my firm intent, in the next election, whenever that may occur, to win the riding of Don Valley West on behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada.
My family has worked hard to support me throughout my campaigns by attending events, canvassing and lending moral support and they are behind me again as I work hard to become your next Member of Parliament.
We are building a great team and we are developing strategy, engaging residents, and getting ready for that next campaign and we are looking for your help, your insight, and your ideas. Please email me your thoughts at any time.
Together, we will win Don Valley West!
 John Carmichael
john@johncarmichael.ca
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| Personal Update
Some of you know that I have had an interesting time with my personal mobility. This past summer in May, and again in September, I had two full knee replacements (one each time) due to deterioriation caused by an extensive career in sport and numerous athletic injuries. The good news is that I am now pain free! I am working out in the gym 4-5 days per week and improving both my cardio conditioning and my ability to walk significant distances, which as you know, is a pre-requisite for any political campaign.
This past fall, I was delighted to be able to participate in the Korean-Canadian Cultural Association's 5km Walk on an electric Segway with my wife Kerry, the Honourable Peter Kent and fellow Candidate C.S. Leung. I was determined to be ready and mobile for the expected (at that time) fall election!
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| Political Update
STAYING ON COURSE
Minister Flaherty recently presented our government's Fourth Report to Canadians, which highlights the progress of the implementation of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Just 10 months into our two-year plan, our government has already committed 97 per cent of our Economic Action Plan, adding up to 12,000 projects across the country. 8,000 have already begun.
Projects from coast to coast to coast are up and running, jobs are being created and communities across the land are seeing the benefits.
Progress on other Economic Action Plan measures were also highlighted in the report:
- tax cuts for Canadian families and businesses
- support for Canadian workers who have lost their jobs or may face layoffs through additional Employment Insurance benefits and training opportunities and the introduction of legislation extending EI benefits to the self-employed
- support for research and advanced education by funding maintenance, repair and construction projects at colleges and universities across Canada - in fact 100 per cent of the $2 billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program fund has been committed to projects at college and university campuses throughout the country
Our efforts are having a positive effect. We are seeing stabilization and the Canadian economy has begun to turn the corner.
- Canada's unemployment rate is now 1.6 percentage points lower than in the U.S. - the largest gap in a generation
- The OECD recently projected that Canada will have the second strongest economic growth among G-7 countries in 2010, and the strongest G-7 growth in 2011.
- Consumer and business confidence has recovered sharply since the beginning of the year
- Private spending on consumer and investment goods has rebounded strongly in recent months
- Residential investment has rebounded since March
- Government capital investment has increased almost 25 per cent in the third quarter of this year - the largest increase in a decade
While recovery is fragile, we are not out of the woods yet. It is critical that we continue to implement our plan.
Our government remains committed to stay on course and fully implement our two-year Economic Action Plan. Doing anything else would is reckless and irresponsible.
2008 Federal Election - did you know?
→ John Carmichael earned more votes in Don Valley West than any other Conservative candidate in any riding in Toronto!
→ Nationally, the Conservatives won 38% of the vote, the Liberals 26%, the Bloc 20%, the NDP 18%, and the Green Party and others 8%.
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| Community Update
I have been attending many meetings both within Don Valley West and the greater Toronto region. Two significant local issues of concern to Don Valley West residents have come up frequently: development and crime.
Development
Development continues to advance with projects such as the Eglinton Light Rapid Transit Line that will run along Eglinton Avenue. This line will provide a direct link to Pearson International Airport and progress is moving forward as the TTC and its partners begin to prepare for construction. Several information meetings have been held and changes have been made to the plan as constituents have had the opportunity to provide their thoughts and input.
Within the riding, there are numerous development sites that are receiving much interest as residents work to protect not only their community but the future of their neighbourhood.
Ratepayers and owners groups in Leaside, North Leaside, Don Mills, York Mills and elsewhere throughout the riding have been very active in keeping their membership fully informed of new projects as they become known, whether it is the proposed demolition of the Talbot Apartments or the redevelopment of the Brennan Pontiac site.
Crime
At the recent Leaside Property Owners Association AGM, significant issues related to growing incidents of assaults and robberies in the neighbourhood and at the high school were addressed by the Toronto Police and their Community Response Unit representatives. Judging by the attendance and the numerous questions asked, this issue was clearly on the minds of residents. Incidents of assault and robberies on Overlea Blvd have affected residents in the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood. 53 Division Police Officers have apprehended suspects in these incidents and were very forthcoming in sharing the various activities they are involved in to protect residents. They stressed the importance of vigilance by residents and encouraged the reporting of any suspicious incidents to 416-808-2222.
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Auto Industry
On the business front, this has been an interesting year for me as a General Motors dealer. GM has had a very difficult time through these past 12 months, and those same challenges have been born by their dealers. I am delighted to tell you that City Buick Chevrolet Cadillac GMC Ltd. was one of the dealerships to survive the recent challenges and emerge even stronger!
 In August, we added Chevrolet to the roster of brands that we represent. We are excited and proud to welcome the fabulous new Chevrolet Equinox and the Chevrolet Malibu, both of which will be at the Canadian International Autoshow in Toronto, February 2010 at the Toronto Convention Centre. We also hope to see the hot new Chevrolet Volt - electric technology at its best!
In adding Chevrolet to the City family, we were the first GM dealership named as an all brand dealership in Canada and for the 100+ employees who work with us, the excitement continues to grow! My son Michael Carmichael is the General Manager of the dealership, and continues to drive the enthusiasm and new life which all GM dealers are currently feeling. |
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Staying Connected!
I am going to be active in the online world and invite you to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and Plaxo. I'll be tackling them one at a time this month. I've almost conquered Facebook!
Join me on these networks by clicking on the images below.
   
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| Share Your Views
Each issue, we will feature a different short survey to facilitate you sharing your thoughts, ideas, and concerns with me.
This month, we want to know:
- What is the most important issue for you? Do you have any ideas to address this issue?
- What advice would you give me for my next campaign?
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| Join the Campaign!
 We had a strong and dynamic volunteer team during the last Federal Election, and we look forward to repeating that same success. I hope you will consider getting involved.
Our goal is to have our campaign office open in early 2010, which will again be conveniently located at 49 The Donway West. We'll need assistance with the opening and set-up of the office, computer input, assistance with mailings, canvassing, and the list continues.
Here are some ways in which you can help starting today!
- host a gathering at your home of 10 people that are not currently Conservative voters so that I may meet them and they can learn about me and our party
- tell us now that you would like a lawn sign so that we can install it on the very first day of the campaign
- identify key people that you would like me to meet with
- tell us about community meetings and events that you think I should attend
- share your ideas on how we can win in 2010
- tell me what is happening in your neighbourhood
- send us photos that you took on past campaigns
- tell us what issues matter to you and what you think should be done
- connect with me on Facebook and Twitter and invite your friends and networks to do the same
You can call me or my campaign manager, Gord Moore at 416-444-3336 or email me at john@johncarmichael.ca at any time.
Volunteers are crucial to a campaign's success - please join me on the road to victory in 2010!
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