Roots Of Change Conferences

The following are some of the many articles published in PGIB's monthly Informer newsletter regarding our Roots Of Change conferences.

The Elite Are Starting To Listen

We (the Grassroots) have yelled loud enough that the politicians have heard us. The right must unite! The right, now more than ever has opportunity to unite, but we need consistency from the leadership. Grassroots of the Reform Party & the Conservatives have been communicating for about two years now. It has been the establishment of the two parties that have been refusing cooperation. PGIB has since the 1993 election been promoting a unification of the right.

PGIB's 'Roots of Change' conference in October saw the grassroots come together. According to Linda Leatherdale in her Toronto Sun column on March 11. 1998 it was the establishment of the two parties that have been naysayers and refusing unity. "Last fall, when I spoke at the first 'Roots of Change' Conference in Calgary, the critics howled loudly, including top brass from the Tories and Reform... And Manning is now urging a 'United Alternative' to the liberals".

When PGIB stated in October that a new united national party might be an option, we were attacked by Reform. Yet in an about face, not unlike Reform, Manning this month called for NEW NATIONAL PARTY. Robber Fife Sun Media columnist in the Ottawa Bureau had a front-page story on March 10, 1998 talking of Manning' call for a new party. His column stated: "Preston Manning called on Reformer's and Tories yesterday to unite if it means he is not leader of the new party." It is good to see Preston agreeing with us once again, but, we feel if his strategist's would listen before they attack Reform would go a lot further.

Even further, in Diane Francis' February 19, 1998 column in the SUM Media chain Ontario Premier Mike Harris clearly supported the idea of merging or forming a third party with a different name: It might be a new party. The name doesn't matter.

Calgary conference laid solid foundations

Delegates from Quebec, Saskatchewan and British Columbia were represented at The October 17-18, 1998 Calgary 'Roots of Change' conference. Speakers such as Alberta Treasurer Stockwell Day, Link Byfield (Alberta Report), Paul Jackson (Calgary Sun), Jon Lord (Calgary Alderman) and representatives from the Alberta Social Party, Reform Party and the Progressive Conservative made wonderful contributions.

However, it was the grassroots in attendance that truly were the biggest contribution. In fact, the grassroots of the various political parties and organizations after hours of heavy and sometimes heated debate agreed on six main things. The agreement is called: Calgary Grassroots Declaration'.

The following are areas that the delegates from across Canada unanimously agreed to:

1. The Right to own and enjoy property: Under Canada's constitution and bill of rights, this vital right is not included. Conservative Canadians must work together to insure that it is.

2. Politicians must be held accountable at all four levels of government: The concepts of Recall, Direct Democracy, Referenda & Taxpayer Protection Acts, means of opening up government(s) to provide 'Power to the People' — must be increased.

3. An end to forced unionism; supporting The Association for the Right to Work (ADAT) in the fight to end forced unionism: ADAT is a Quebec based group that is currently taking the cause of 'Right to Work' before the courts in Quebec. An 'End to Forced Unionism' would give the ownership of ones labour back to the individual.

4. To Support the concept locally and nationally of the Canadian Citizen's Alliance — to put small 'c' conservative fundamentals back into local governments: Far too often, it I at the municipal level that tax and spend liberals get their taste of wasting our money and the social re-engineering of Canadian society. With downloading f services from the federal government to provinces and from provinces to municipalities occurring on an ever increasing basis — the need for small 'c' conservatives to get involved is vitally important.

5. To work to create a more tax friendly Canada: Reform of the current system to reflect the reality of Canada's position in the global market.

6. To continue to work together to provide leadership, by educating the public on conservative issues.

"Reform will send participants to a planned grassroots unite-the right conference this fall in Calgary, says the party's chief strategist Rick Anderson. Anderson welcomed the goal of the Roots of Change conference being staged by The Progressive Group For Independent Business..."

Sun Media, 1997

"The Roots of Change was about uniting the right, and bringing our country together. We are not going to do that if we look at our differences rather than the principles that might bind us."

Paul Jackson
Calgary Sun, 1997

"Conservative thinkers from across the country gathered Friday in a bid to tame the giant two-headed monster that is Canada's right-wing political movement"

Canadian Press, 1997

"With an impressive list of speakers with philosophies ranging from 'social conservative' to 'libertarian'.

Freedom Flyer, London Ontario, 1998

"All across the country, conservative thinkers (and that includes many in both the Reform and PC parties) are looking for ways to unite the right — this time from the ground up. This falls Roots Of Change conference out west is one initiative"

Toronto Sun, 1997

"The Roots Of Change will look to the grassroots to find solutions"

The London Free Press, 1998

"The Roots of Change...will dig down into the true grit of small 'c' conservatism"

Calgary Herald, 1997

"...It is time for leaders of conservatism's disparate movements to grow up and finally put country before party"

Michael Coren, 1997

As you can see PGIB's 2Cards campaign is the next logical step to conservative unity

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