New Democrats not so new anymore, says local MP Denise Savoie

Public Eye - June 11

What's in a Name?

Victoria parliamentarian Denise Savoie wants to take the “new” out of the New Democratic Party of Canada’s name as part of an effort to broaden its vision and base.

In an exclusive interview with Public Eye on Sunday, Savoie says she has been contemplating such a change for some time. But the tipping point came after hearing Saanich-Gulf Islands Conservative parliamentarian Gary Lunn repeatedly refer to the Harper administration as Canada’s New Government.

“When I would hear him talk about the New Government I would just shudder for him. I would be embarrassed for him. And so I can’t feel that way and think about our name—the New Democratic Party. I think it’s not so new anymore. So there’s that parallel that I would want to erase completely.”

But that’s not the only reason Savoie wants to rename the party. “If a name change were supported by the membership then that might lead to refreshing, rethinking directions—perhaps broadening the tent in terms of what we stand for,” making the party more welcoming to both environmentalist and working people, says Savoie.

“To me a democratic movement that acts in the public interest would be able to bring together those two movements,” she says, to fight poverty by fighting climate change—an idea expressed in environmental advocate Van Jones’s bestselling book The Green Collar Economy.

“And I think, by saying the NDP, it ties us a little more to the past than the future,” continues Savoie, pointing out the “new” part detracts from the “Democrat” part “which is by far more important, because there is such a democratic deficit in federal politics, in the media and in society as a whole.”

Savoie confirmed her riding association is considering a motion calling on the party to change its name to the Democratic Party of Canada. If approved by the association, she expects the motion will be debated at the party’s upcoming convention in Halifax, scheduled to take place between August 14 and 16.

Fired up

Last week, Public Eye told you the provincial government had estimated it would spend $62 million on direct forest fire fighting costs in 2009/10—$46 million less than the average amount spent on such activities over the past 10 years.

The provincial New Democrats have suggested a dry spring could blow that budget. Although the ministry of forests and range has said recent conditions won’t be “an accurate prediction of what the remainder of the fire season will look like.”

That being said, though, if the government’s forecast proves to be incorrect, it won’t be the first time. Since 2002/03, the government has only met those targets—which were based on fire fighting costs between 1993 and 2002—twice.

Asked about its budget practices, the ministry stated, “Fire seasons are very unpredictable and it is not possible to make a reasonable estimate in advance of what high fire activity seasons will cost.”

Moreover, “If costs exceed the budgeted amount, the Ministry of Forests and Range has statutory authorization to receive additional funds.” M

Sean Holman is the editor of Public Eye (publiceyeonline.com) and host of Public Eye Radio, which can be heard 8-10 a.m. Sunday mornings on CFAX 1070.