jeff

hmm Monette Farms sign coming down???

121,027. 121,027 Canadians who did all a candidate could ask for - go out and vote on Election Day. In the 4 ridings in which Chris D'Entremont, Michael Ma, Matt Jeneroux, & Marilyn Gladu won their seats as candidates for the Conservative Party of Canada - 121,027 Canadians put an "X" beside their names in the hopes they'd keep their promise, go to Ottawa (either a return or for the first time), & do their very best as a MP for their community & for Canada, as a whole. 121,027 in those 4 ridings voted CPC, only 103,599 voted Liberal. The 103,599 have 4 MPs, & the 121,027 now have none. I think they have a right to be angry. I think they have a right to feel betrayed. I think they have a right to demand answers. A year ago I was getting up at 730a (it DOES beat 345am) & getting back in the front door, usually by 930p. Banging on doors for 80-90% of that time - I'm still amazed, dazzled, exhausted, happy, sad, proud, devastated. But when you get there & you see volunteers, donors, people glad to chat with you for 2 minutes, or even 10 on their porch or in their yard & you realize they care about Canada just like you do....it's so awesome, & it's so inspiring - & I was even inspired by people who wished me well, but weren't sure I'd get their vote. They gave me time, they heard my message, & they'd consider it - it's all I can ask. Almost 27,000 people voted for us in Ajax. Only 13,200 voted for the party 4 years earlier. I was one of the Top 10 vote percentage gains in a riding NOT to win his riding. We didn't win 199 ridings - & Ajax was Top 10 for gains. It still hurts - but there's pride & gratitude in that. My point is - I couldn't possibly, & ESPECIALLY, a year or less after asking so much of myself, my team, & the voters - betray them, with really little explanation, little incentive. Things can go bad & things can change & I bet there's a reason why a floor-crossing can happen in very, very exceptional circumstances. FIVE in the past 6 months? Come on. There's usually never a sad day to be a Canadian - this one feels like it.