Spaghetti Supper Invitation

The weather was a little colder and we did get some snow today, but overall it was still pretty good.

Usually at this stage of the campaign you get very busy with special events and all candidates' forums. Today was an exception in that it was a straight forward day.

I spent the morning in the Sherwood area (Brown's Lane, Francis Street) and dropped into both Corrigan Lodge and Hemlock Lodge.

We had lunch at the Seatreat - always a great meal.

This afternoon I dropped into Parkwest Lodge and canvassed in the Sherwood area. When you visit a place like Parkwest you appreciate how quickly life goes by. Talked with Brian Cudmore, Jack Bigelow and George MacDougall. All people who I know well and who, at one time, business leaders in the Charlottetown area.

I spent the evening in the East Royalty Area - I cannot believe the development there.

On Thursday evening at 6.00pm, we are having at Spaghetti Supper at the St Pius X Hall on St Peters Road. Everyone is invited to come.

All-Candidates Debate at UPEI

A federal election usually lasts five weeks. Today we started week eight of the campaign.

The weather is a little more winter-like with snow instead of mud on the ground. I spent the morning canvassing in the Parkdale area.

I had lunch at the Claddagh Room and then dropped in to visit the ladies living at the Charlotte residence on Fitzroy Street. I spoke to Mrs Cousins who taught at Colonel Gray High School some 40-45 years ago.

I spent the afternoon in the Sherwood area - Robin, Scarlet and Friar.

On Monday evening I participated in the Charlottetown candidates' debate organized by the UPEI Student Union. The event was well organized and reasonably well attended.

At the All-Candidates' Debate on the UPEI Campus

90th Birthday for Elinor Smith

Not a really hectic day. I started with church at 9.00 am and then made a visit to my mother's.

In the afternoon I went for a workout at the West Royalty Fitness Center and then attended a 90th birthday party for Elinor Smith, which was held at the Stratford Community Centre.

Spent Sunday evening in the office preparing for this week's candidate debates.

Lebanese New Year

The end of week seven and, again, a very mild day. I spent the AM going door-to-door on Queen Street. I started at the intersection of Queen and Euston and ended up near the intersection of Queen and Kirkwood.

This evening, Yvette and I attended the annual Lebanese New Year's Levee at the Delta Prince Edward. The place was sold out (over 650). The Lebanese entertainment, dancers and food were great. Everybody had a great time. Yvette and I left at 11.30 pm, but I got the impression that the party would go on for another two or three hours.

Reception for Mark MacDonald

Another unbelievably warm day. I spent the morning in the Hillsborough Development subdivision. I started on Patterson Drive (there weren't many home) and then went on to Stockdale (a good percentage were at home). Issues were mainly local - a lot being provincial or municipal.

I had a quick lunch and then dropped into the Stamper residence on Fitzroy Street for a visit. At 1.30 we had the last of our senior's socials at Duvar Court. I must confess that, after ten events, I am ready to take some time off from Bobby Doyle.

At 2.30 pm I dropped into a reception hosted in honour of Mark MacDonald. Mark, a 27 year-old native of Kingston, PEI, set a Canadian record for the most wins in the harness racing industry. We are all very proud of Mark. I had a great chat with Wally MacInnis, a trainer who is home from Montreal for a few days.

The Conservatives released their platform today. I understand fully why they waited so long: scrap the gun registry; scrap our commitment to the Kyoto Accord; scrap the Early Childhood Development program; increase personal income taxes; and decrease taxes to companies and wealthy Canadians (the capital gains deferral provision).

On Friday evening I attended a reception hosted by the PEI Fishermen's Association. The Honourable Geoff Regan was in Charlottetown to address the audience. I could not stay for the
banquet as Yvette and I were committed to attending a dinner with the executive of the Charlottetown Lebanese Association, held at the Town & Country restaurant.

Ceilidh at the Arts Guild

I had a really busy day today. I started out by dropping into the Full Circle private school on Kent Street for 30 minutes and had a great session with about 10 students.

At 10.00 am, I attended the "Making Poverty History" forum held at the Basilica Recreation Centre. It was well organized - the format was good and everyone stuck to the facts. This issue does not get the attention it deserves (I haven't heard it on one doorstep during this campaign) and hopefully this forum raised the profile of this issue.

I did some more door-to-door canvassing in the early afternoon and at 2.00 we had a well attended Senior's social at Charlotte Court. I continued the door-to-door canvas for about an hour and a half after the social.

This evening I hosted two events. The first event was a Seniors Social at Haviland Court followed by a Ceilidh at the Arts Guild. We had a great crowd at the ceilidh and the entertainment was wonderful. I think the highlight of the evening was Gary Evans imitating four telephone conversations that I had with with Wade MacLauchlan; Senator Catherine Callbeck; Lawrence MacAulay and Ron MacKinley. It is nice to have some fun during a long campaign. I've posted some photos from the ceilidh in my photo album.

Trivia at UPEI

Another great day weather-wise. You hardly needed a jacket on. I started the day canvassing in the Lewis Point park area. Trouble with mornings is that you do not find that many at home.

At 10.30 we had a seniors' social with Bobby Doyle at Beach Grove. We had a great crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. This is a great facility and all I ever heard in my life was praise for the wonderful staff.

Red Cheverie and I had lunch at Barry's on the Mount Edward Road - a busy spot.

I started the afternoon canvassing Seaview Drive. I grew up in the general neighbourhood and know some of the older families, although many new families have moved in. I get a kick out of talking to children. They know me as the "Man on the Red Sign"

At 2.00 pm, we had a largely attended social at 501 Queen Street. These residents love their social, and this one went close to two hours. After 501, I finished up Seaview. I've placed a few photos from the 501 Queen Street social in my photo album. Earlier this evening I canvassed in Hillsborough development. Again, this time of the year there are about 75-80% of the people at home.

At around 9.15 I dropped into the Wednesday night trivia game at The Wave on the UPEI campus. There was a big crowd of great kids. I had a beer and asked the bartender if they had a senior's discount - no such luck.