This is Martha Hall-Findlay speaking at the Young Liberal event March 21.
Though I wish I were at Waffle House right about now being asked if I’d like to indulge in a Southern American delicacy, I’m not. Instead, I was interviewing a bunch of Liberals at an event held a March 21 by the York Young Liberals at the Underground at York. I have a thing for interviewing C-list celebs, and this gathering was a good chance to do just that. A guy by the name of Neil Shukla, was nice enough to invite me to the $45/plate event, and I am grateful. Let me just say that the Liberal Party is alive and well, they just need to shake things up a bit, which is exactly what the president of the party, Alfred Apps was preaching. The smartest person I spoke to that night, by far was Gerrard Kennedy. It really is a shame that he will forever be known as the “king-maker” for Stephane Dion’s leadership run, because he would make a great leader. I still hope that might happen one day.
Ken Dryden, speaking with attendees at the Young Liberals event. I think he`s smiling because he`s out of the Leafs organization. I would be too!
The most genuine was my own MPP for Toronto-St. Paul’s Dr. Carolyn Bennett. Her office is right down the street from where I live. I asked her questions about clinics run by private management companies, like Appletree Medical Group, which took over the York Lanes clinic that I use. She gave really honest answers, that I’m going to hold onto for a rainy day. I wrote an article on the event for the Excalibur, but I think we’re still having problems with the website, so I’ll put it up if it gets fixed. Here`s some of the photos, all taken by Excalibur`s Pippin Lee.
Dr. Carolyn Bennet and I. I spoke to her for the longest by far, and she really impressed me - not only because we both have to deal with the rumble of the subway outside of our windows - but because she had a lot to say about healthcare, about the Liberal Party and about getting youth involved in politics.
Former Ontario NDP Premier-turned Liberal MP Bob Rae. I wasn`t old enough to remember what he was like as a premier, but I can imagine what he`d be like a Liberal leader...
Martha Hall-Findlay describing to me how difficult it is to get young people engaged in the political system. She`s a really smart lady, and genuine to boot. On a completely unrelated side-note, she also reminds me a lot of my Mom.
Ken Dryden and I. For a guy whose won a handful of Stanley Cups, Dryden sure is dull. I think Dryden and Dalton McGuinty play bridge together with their wives on Sundays. On a side-note he didn`t have any comment when I asked him what the solution to fixing the Maple Leafs is... I think it`s a touchy subject.
Gerrard Kennedy and I. If it looks like he`s listening to my question, it`s probably because he actually is. He gave me some honest answers when I asked him about overseas disputes spilling over into this country, especially in big cities and places like York. He said the only thing that we should be discussing is what Canada`s position is or should be, rather than taking sides.
Liberal Party President Alfred Apps and I. He lightly suggested that I join the party and run for office. I`m still trying to figure out whether or not he was joking...
