pegasus

I am a member of the NDP party. I have been for the last 20 years.

How does one go about becoming a candidate for a political party? Until recently, the NDP were non-existant here in Quebec. I have been a supporter of the party since I was 18. I have been a member of this party for the last 20 years. (And you have to pay to be a member of the NDP) Why?

I offered my services in any riding available, and at the time, there were many. I was told I was unqualified less than one week after the initial campaigning begun. (Yes...I really wanted to do this) I even told the person that if someone was already chosen for my riding, then I would like to run in any other riding, anywhere in Canada, not just Quebec.

I never asked. As I said earlier, I'm pretty green at this. So I just figured they already had more qualified candidates waiting in the wings.

I have always supported the NDP. I am not affiliated with any other party. And this is why I chose to run for the NDP. I also chose to run for the NDP because I figured I'd lose. I just really wanted to get a better idea as to how the election process worked. Under regular circumstances, I probably wouldn't even complain, but knowing that if I would have run in the community that I wanted to run in, and won, such as the person who did run in my community, I would not be sitting here in my one bedroom apartment, waiting for my call from work where I have to go in and service the very people who are now MPs. I don't plan to run as an independent next election.

I met with the first person at the NDP office for no longer than 20 minutes. I came in with my list of signatures and my diploma and references from the places I volunteered at. I was clean shaven and well dressed. Whatever underlying issues there were, were never conveyed to me. He looked over everything I brought, asked me a few questions, such as why I want to run as an NDP candidate. Then non-chalantly handed everything back to me and told me that I didn't have the necessary qualifications to run as an MP. Having no experience in this matter, I took what he said as gospel, and left thinking that all the ridings were already filled up with Doctors and Lawyers. Little did I know they were being reserved for teenagers and barmaids.

Actually, I am a guy. (I don't know why it says female on my profile. I'm going to have to change that) But nevertheless, a 19 year old, teenage boy, was placed as a candidate. I'm just stumped

On Tuesday May 3rd, I returned to the Office in Limoilou and congratulated the new MP, who was with one other person. This other person was not the same person who I originally met weeks earlier and told me I didn't have the qualifications to run. I went to offer my services to help the new minister in any way I can, and was given an e-mail address to write to. I sent them an e-mail and have yet to receive a reply.

It was the Limoilou Office here in Quebec City on Eugene-Lamontagne Ave. where I tried to submit my candidacy. I wanted to run in NDG/Cote-St.Luc/Montreal West riding in Montreal, but I would have been happy to run in any riding available. I wanted to go to the office in St. Foy, but I had no idea where it was. But I knew of the existance of the one on Eugene-Lamontagne because I went by it on many occasions.

I would have gladly taken the scrutiny of the press in order to represent my constituents of the place I grew up. Working for the country and its people are more than worth my personal discomfort. Besides, being placed under scrutiny has always been something I've had to deal with. It would be nothing new to me, just on a grander scale.

And what would that be? If you are guessing I have a criminal record, guess again. In my present job, I work for a private company that deals with various levels of government. As such, I had to be placed through a background check. I presently have Level II security clearance. I have no debts that I am not paying down, so therefore, I could probably attain Top Secret security clearance if necessary.

It appears so In four years from now, knowing what I know now, I will not make the same mistake, and I will spend the next four years preparing to take a seat away from an incumbent NDPer by telling my story. Regular everyday folk?....what BS

I tried, just recently, http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index.php?showtopic=18875 Apparently skill is not something the political parties are looking for either. They appear to seek candidates from keg parties.

The mentally ill are not "on their own" due to their own reasoning. They are "on their own" because there is no money for them to be kept in institutions. This is called "deinstitutionalization", and is a growing trend to save money in health care. It is these people who end up on the streets, but not by their own accord.

If I got this offer, I'd be jumping up and down for joy. I kill myself everyday at work, at bizarre hours, catering to MPs every whim, (MPs who don't even have college diplomas) and I earn less than $100 a day minus taxes. Some weeks I work full-time and others not. But being on call 24/7, my hands are tied getting a second job. And I have a couple of bachelor degrees to pay for to boot. Thank goodness I'm single living in a crappy basement one room apartment. At least I can put away $100 a month, maybe, after bills for a little vacation once a year, to visit my mother.

Two days after the Federal election was called, I went out on a limb and decided to run as a member of the NDP in my old riding where I grew up. I went out and collected signatures (which took me a few days) and ended up with more than the 100 necessary. I then went to my local NDP office and asked if I could run as a member of the NDP, whom I had voted for every election since I could vote. I have always wanted to work for the Federal Government. I have taken their tests and apply for all the jobs that are posted that I believe I am qualified for. I even once considered the military. But never to any avail. I am right now working a decent job in the private industry, but it has never been my dream. So I decided to go for a seat. Running as a local NDP candidate did not guarantee me a win. Where I wanted to run has been a Liberal stronghold for the last 50 years. But I figured I'd give it a shot. Being my first go at this, I listened to everything they told me and took everything as gospel. I brought my signatures to the office and my credentials, and I was told that I was not qualified. That being said, I packed up my stuff and left the office, and on election night I voted for the NDP, as I always do. I live in Quebec, and I finished University quite some time ago with a major/minor in Psychology/Education. I spent 10 years volunteering with children. I helped at a mental institution for 2 years. I've collected funds for the poor. I speak both official languages and I was born in Ottawa, raised in Montreal and now live in Quebec City which is 99 percent French. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't complain, however, when I saw the credentials of some of the candidates who had actually become NDP candidates, one of which was in the riding I wanted to run in and who had far less credentials than I, and won, I almost flipped. So as you can all see, I'm a little upset with the NDP party right now and their caucus of fully qualified individuals, of which I am apparently not So my question is; how come I was told I was not qualified to run as an NDP candidate in this election when there were others who had far less qualifications than I, who won?

It looks like Rousseau will be staying