This was a people's win!

I won't rehash the numbers from last night, but I will say that they support something a constituent told me during the campaign. "If the MP stands up for the people, the people will stand up for the MP."

I want to thank everyone who worked on the campaign and everyone who voted for me. This really was the people's campaign. There was no party involved and each person made the decision to support me on an individual basis. That makes the win mean that much more to me and my family.

During the campaign I got a lot of feedback from voters, many of whom had never gotten involved in politics before, or for that matter, voted. Several comments stick out in my mind including one from someone who said ,"You represent us to Ottawa and not Ottawa to us." I thought it was a good observation as it is how I have always thought of my role as an MP.

Today was business as usual in my offices, with my staff working on resolving issues for constituents, a matter of practice that will never change as long as I am the MP. If you need help resolving a federal issue, please call my office in the riding at 902-667-8679 or 902-893-2455 or 1-800-752-0552 (toll free). If you would like to speak to the office in Ottawa, the number is 613-992-3366.

Heading into the home stretch

With just days to go until October 14th, the campaign is heading into the home stretch with lots more mainstreeting, door knocking and events to attend.

Today I had a very informative tour at the Lafarge Plant in Truro. We toured both the factory and the grounds to view the remediation work that the company is doing to protect the environment, and that of the surrounding areas, from any pollution as a result of the cement making process. These remediation efforts, I was very pleased to see, are considerable.

Area residents have raised concerns in the past about the plant and its operations and it was encouraging to see that the company does take concerns seriously and does its best to comply with Nova Scotia's environmental regulations.

This afternoon I had the pleasure of visiting with seniors in the Truro area at a number of retirement residences. My office gets many calls from seniors seeking help on issues surrounding Old Age Security, Canada Pension and Veterans Benefits, so it has always been important to me that I visit with them to learn about their concerns and how I can help.

Yesterday was a big "Down Shore" day. I did what I call "The Loop" which is Amherst to River Hebert, Joggins, Apple River, Advocate and then along the Parrsoboro Shore through Port Greveille up to Parrsboro and then on to Amherst. I got lots of support wherever I stopped and it was gratifying to see so many of my election signs on people's front lawns.

Need a ride to the Polls?
On election day the polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be a team of volunteer drivers available to give those needing transportation a drive to their polling station.
Voters in the Truro area can call the campaign office at 902-897-4259 for a drive to the polls.
In Amherst voters can call 902-667-8607. Springhill/Oxford residents can call 902-597-3464 or 597-8450 and residents in Parrsboro needing a drive can call 902-254-3180

Hats off to the Red Hatters!

Rita Smyth, one of the Tidnish Red Hatters was happy to lend me a fetching hat on Saturday for this photo at the meet and greet that the group hosted at the Tidnish Community Hall. I'm not sure red is my colour...but as long as no one reads any political connotations into it, I'm ok with red.

Change in voting rules causing a bit of confusion

I'm sure you have seen the large advertisements in the newspapers from Elections Canada mentioning new rules for voting, but if you haven't paid them much attention, you may want to reconsider. To cast a ballot a voter now needs to show proof of identiy and the list of acceptable documents is a lenghty one.

Even if you have your voter registration card and the name and address really are you, that will not be enough to cast a ballot in this federal election. To avoid frustration and wasted gas on a trip to the polls that you cannot vote at, make sure you bring the right identification. Elections Canada's website has a long list of acceptable identification. (To see the full list click on the title of this post and the webpage will open.)

To prove your idenity you have three options. The first is to present one original peice of government issued identification with a photo such as your driver's liscense.

The second option is to present two original peices of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral officer of Canada. Both peices of ID must contain your name and one must contain your address. An example of this is a health card, birth certificate, Canadian Passport, Veterans Affairs Card, hospital card, hydro bill, lease, etc. (See the full list by clicking on the title of this post.)

The third option is to swear an oath and be vouced for by an elector who is on the list of electors in the same pollling division and who has an acceptable identification.

Hopefully this information will help make election day run smoother for you and the people working at the polls.

Heading into the home stretch after a busy weekend

We had a great turnout at the BBQ in Truro on Saturday. It was a wonderful day and I was so happy to see so many constituents out supporting my re-election bid. The support has been overwhelming and for that I am very thankful.

On Sunday, as promised, Andrew Krystal from All News Radio 95.7 in Halifax came up to check out country politics at the meet and greet at the Tidnish Community Hall. Sponsored by the Red Hatters, the afternoon had another big turnout and Andrew got a chance to meet some of the constituents and learn about rural Nova Scotia. I also gave him a tour of one of the area's great tourist attractions, the Chignecto Ship Railway.

I was happy that he could give up his Sunday to drive all the way to Tidnish. I was listening to his show earlier today and he was chatting about Casey Country. Come back any time Andrew!

I'm in planning sessions today as the campaign heads into the final week. I'll be back in the campaign-mobile tomorrow. I hope to see you on the campaign trail!

A good night for democracy and a busy weekend for me

Last night's debate in Truro went well and I had a good time debating the issues with my opponents. I felt like I had gone in prepared, so I hope that my answers helped constituents in their information gathering before casting their ballot on October 14th. For some this has been a particularly hard election given the circumstances, so I hope that last night's debate helped them reach a decision.

I have a busy weekend coming up. On Saturday there is a BBQ at the campaign headquarters on Robie Street in Truro. It is from 1-3 p.m. and Rosie will be with me. The coffee willl be on and the bbq fired up! We both hope the weather cooperates and we will see you there.

I will be at a great event in Tidnish on Sunday sponsored by the Red Hatters. Drop by the Tidnish Hall between 2 and 4 p.m. to say hello and discuss the issues that matter to you.

I hope to see you on the campaign trail this weekend!

Off to another event!

Here is Rosemary with me as we head into an event in the Tatamagouche area recently. With us is Jim LaFresne, County Councillor for Tatamagouche and owner of the Train Station Inn. Although Tatamagouche is small, the area's people always have a project on the go. The Farmer's Market is always busy and recently the town was part of a documentary that will air on CBC after Christmas. The town recently won the Lieutenant Governor's Community Spirit Award.