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J ames____J im__Christie Good evening
J osh J utras Hi J im
J ames____J im__Christie Good evening all
Doug_Lewis Howdy.
J osh J utras Good evening to both of you.
J ames____J im__Christie I'm on iPad Doug so I will see how things are as we start off.
Doug_Lewis Rog. Good reception wherever you are?
J ames____J im__Christie
Yep. Downtown Toronto. Meeting with a couple of key liberals at
1930 so I will stay on as long as I can
Robert Ferguson
Hi J im, watched your address of the SBM, you touched on just about
everything, including the sometimes limited participation by members
on the chat system. You would think that the benefit issue alone
would have people signing on in droves....
Thomas Kaudelka Hello all
Todd_Provost Evening all.
I hear you loud and clear Robert. Our folks are busy and I am trying to
get as much on line as possible so people can either participate or read
at their leisure. The benefits issue is a live one despite the fact we are
in full election mode right now. The Libs are saying all the right
things so far and that will be getting worked on each and every day
until the polls are open
Todd_Provost Ken, you're still on holidays, dedication!
Kenneth_Sexton Hi All.
Martin_Bain Hi Ken, how were the V days?
Kenneth_Sexton Todd. Insanity.....
Doug_Lewis The Shawn T workout, Ken? ;)
Kenneth_Sexton
Martin. Busy doing home stuff. Who the heck plans a Branch meeting
on their holidays?
Good evening all I am going to throw out some info on the state of the
union as far as the elections are coming and some of the ways we will
be engaging with you in order to make sure you are informed on the
issues as they relate to our present and future.
Polls are showing a pretty steady move from a PC lead to a migration
to the liberals. Ipsos is the only polling company who still has the PC
up but the rest of liberal leads from 3 for abacus and forum who
polled the Libs ahead by 7. NDP showing a distant third. This will
change as the tv ad campaign takes off
Christopher Hoffman Good evening all
Kenneth_Sexton Hi Chris.
Robert Ferguson
J im, try this one at your meeting with Libs. All 3 of the major parties
have had their kick at the can at running the province over the last 30
years. Ask them that if elected, what will they do (or not do), any
differently than their predecessors have done or not done?
Christopher Hoffman hey Ken welcome home
Our communication strategy will commence with this evening and
will include a telephone townhall on the 4th of J une and by that time
you will have access to the electronic magazine by weeks end. The
magazine will include questions we specifically posed to the three
leaders and their responses.
Todd_Provost Working on the magazine as we speak
Good question Robert - goes without saying that Wynne is trying to
distance herself from scandal but our real issue has been the premiers
office not having a good enough handle on what is happening in the
ministries. Case in point them thinking they could mess with our
current members benefit funding without us taking major action.
J ohn Flesher
How are we getting the word out to our retirees who as a rule have
been a conservative block of voters???
Ironically at a time when the Libs should be very vulnerable (for all
the right reasons), the PC leader continues to make apparently poor
move after poor move. 100,000 job reduction in the public service is a
good example.
Kenneth_Sexton
The PC commercials are out as well as the Liberals but NDP seem
quiet. Maybe Andrea is over her head.
Flesh - Doug and I attended the vets Adam on Friday and I updated
them entirely on the situation and our upcoming strategy. I asked them
to put aside their historical political leanings and do what is best for
our members which is not a Tim Hudak government. They were most
receptive and I had a few hours of good conversation into the evening
with the delegates.
Ken - the NDP called an election while still in debt from the last one.
Therefore no money for big Ad buys. Not too clever I would suggest.
They were offered more in the budget than they even asked for and
still pulled the trigger on an election that no one but the pcs wanted
and one that I don't believe they have a chance in hell of winning
Brett_Alton good evening all
J ames____J im__Christie Hi scooby
Doug_Lewis Hey, Brett.
Christopher Hoffman Hello Brett.
Brett_Alton Hey J im.
Kenneth_Sexton Hi Brett
Brett_Alton Hi guys. What have I missed
Robert Ferguson
Those that are in power only concern is remaining in power, and those
that are not in power only concern is getting into power. Meanwhile
nobody gives a care about running the province. Not to mention the
immense waste of the public tax dollars by all parties....
Now to broach the subject of doing something that the OPPA has not
had to do in our 60 years of existence. Run a tv ad criticizing Tim
Hudak. This will commence through social media and our website and
we will start airing two 15 second Ads across the Province on Monday
night. Thoughts?
Dave Osborne
Speaking as a retiree, my fear is that someone in government needs to
rein in the spending, because my kids and their kids will not be able to
continue to pay for my government pension, etc. However, as noted
Hudak has foot in mouth disease, and seems too close to being a Tea
Party candidate, no friend of the unions and those wanting to earn a
living wage. Unfortunately, there is no party in the middle, though
Andrea may be trying. Am I hearing that in general, the Liberals are
the party of choice, barring local circumstances? Like having Garfield
Dunlop in my riding?
Robert Ferguson Well put Dave....
Brett_Alton
I would assume Ken asked a question in regards to election ads. It
seems the only ads I can find are PC ones. And I have a hard time not
throwing something at my television when ever Hudak opens his
mouth
J ohn Flesher
Interesting article last week about the ghosts of leaders past for all
three parties. Hudak has done a good job of keeping the ghosts of
Ipperwash and his wife Deb Hutton out of the media!
Good points Dave. Tim is certainly not the PC leader we have seen in
years past. He makes Mike Harris appear to be a moderate! Ontario
politics have historically been one that has the NDP on the left and the
pics and Libs fighting for the middle. This time there is a clear choice.
Two year mandatory wage freezes, blowing up our arbitration system
and a defined contribution pension for new police personnel was
enough to make me recommend to the board that we pull the trigger
(excuse the pun) on the ads.
Robert Letts
J im, your right that we have never had to do that before, but the PC's
have never had a leader so right wing as this.
Good point J ohn. She is known as strong and silent behind the scenes.
For everyone else, Tim's wife was mike Harris chief of staff. Very
hard core and not a great fan of our during the Ipperwash situation
J ohn Flesher if he turns to just the right angle you can see the strings...:)
Kenneth_Sexton
In Parry Sound-Muskoka, Norm Miller could be caught with his
winker hanging out and still win the election. I think we should run
some adds but I believe all we have to do is let Tim Hudak keep
talking
Agreed Bob - good news is we have been forecasting and preparing
for is for over a year and a half and have had the ads in the can for a
long time. We met with the pcs and some key folks but Tim was clear,
we are no different than any other public service employee and will
not be treated differently. We shall see how that tactic works
Brett_Alton
It seems every day the polls change from the liberals having the lead
to the PCs. Where do they stand today?
Dave Osborne
I am for the OPPA ads... but would want it clear it is a criticism of
Hudak, and the policies he espouses... for, as I said, I will be
supporting Garfield in my riding - probably as good a friend to the
OPP as there is...
I hear ya Brett - the ads are Tim specific and although they will affect
the ridings in some parts of the province the strongholds will be
unaffected. Garfield Dunlop, norm Millar, john Yakabuski will all win
by major margins. There are many who are resigned to defeat and the
chance of a bright future under a more moderate leader with realistic
proposals
Robert Letts
It is interesting to see in this riding that Frank Klees owned since the
mid 90's that he has not been seen a great deal with our new PC
canidate
Garfield is Dave but he has no problem with me going after his leader.
When I say that I refer to his understanding that we must do all we can
to protect our future.
Latest polls of note have the Libs leading by 7 and 3 respectively.
Ipsos continue to show a PC lead but even that is tightening.
Brett_Alton
I can tell you in my area the NDP are strong and will probably win
again even if there is a minimal turnout for the vote.
J ohn Flesher
How do our GR folks see Hudak skipping the northern debate having
on the campaign?
Doug_Lewis
Likely why Tim didn't bother to show up for tonight's Northern
Ontario debate...
I will be speaking with some experts who are watching and polling at
a riding by riding level. This will assist us in getting involved in a
tight race if we feel the polls are trending toward Tim.
Doug_Lewis
Same thought, J ohn - wish I could type without looking at my
fingers... ;)
David Vittie
I think the ads are a great idea, the other associations may stand up
and take notice as well..
Flesh and Doug - different thoughts but I believe he did not want to
tip his hand to the other two and as they have little chance of success
up north they have made the calculated decision to give it a miss.
Doug_Lewis
There was a suggestion in the paper over the weekend it's calculated
to let the ladies fight it out while he stays away.
J ohn Flesher
Seems klike he fired his cannon too early with the 100,000 job cuts
and now he's out trying to find .22 shells.........
Martin_Bain
Tim was in Peterborough today and messaged to Government Union
bosses" that there will be no $$ for wage increases, " not on my
watch" he says.
Dave- I will be briefing the TPA and the PAO on Friday and in person
with the TPA tomorrow. Will be interesting to see where they stand
on this. If you are going to get involved and invest time and money in
building a political profile for your organization, you need to step up
at this most vital time for our future. I hope they see it that way. We
could use the help in Toronto to ensure the pcs don't break through.
Brett_Alton
I agree the ads need to be put out. At our latest branch meeting the
members (who took the time to attend) questioned who the OPPA is
supporting.
Tyler_Holmes
We have a branch meeting on Thursday and I'm sure the questions
will be asked as to who we are supporting. I have been asked plenty of
times at detachment level already.
Kenneth_Sexton
North Bay with Vic Fedelli is a shoe in as well so Tim can avoid
heading that way. He does not have to go North of 7.
Hard to believe we are only 15 years past the time when we did all we
could to get Ernie Eves in power and work with the same party where
Hudak was a junior minister married to the chief of staff. If he doesn't
respect us or what our members do then he needs to learn a valuable
lesson and more importantly the next PC leader and caucus will not
make the same mistake,
Brett_Alton
I told them the association is not about to put all their eggs in one
basket, and they should be able to tell for themselves who should be
supported.
David Vittie
I have been seeing alot of messaging from the TPA retirees regarding
support for the PC party, most of that is based upon past allegiance
and dislike for the current premier...
Vic is a candidate to replace Tim and he is more right wing that I
would like but let's see what that translates to after Tim is gone,
Brett_Alton
is it a given then that if the PCs lose this election they will be showing
Tim the back door?
Tyler -I will be in St. Thomas for the meeting on Tuesday night and
quite a few in the coming weeks. Dave - that is consistent and is also a
result with how little the TPA are messaging to the membership and
vets. In their Defense they do not work for the government but they
are subject to changes in an arbitration etc.
Tyler_Holmes
Brett- I've been telling people who I don't think we should support but
then the conversation always turns to the Liberals and the scandals
etc... Hard to defend unfortunately.
Christopher Hoffman
Unfortunately a lot of the senior guys in Toronto are Polarized by
what happened back in the day withBob Rae and the liberal social
agenda that had gone on in the City Hence Rob Ford
Brett_Alton I agree Tyler. The liberals did not help themselves there
This is the issue Tyler-devil or deep blue sea. The e magazine should
assist. We asked the questions and have published the responses
unedited. When you see them they will be hard pressed to make an
argument for the Hudak camp
Tyler_Holmes Can't wait to see them J im
Christopher Hoffman
Thankfully we have done a good job in trying to educate our
membership over the last several years which seems to have worked
with our members more knowledgable about todays PC's under Hudak
Doug_Lewis
Tyler, re: scandals, worthy of note that all 3 parties said they'd cancel
the plants in Oakville and Mississauga. Of course, the NDP and PC
doesn't mention this now.
Friday I hope to have them to you and the troops Tyler. The key will
be the telephone townhall on the fourth. Would be cool to get at least
100 on the call from across the province so we can share the info prior
to the 12th.
Robert Ferguson Doug, hence the immense waste of the public tax dollars..........
Brett_Alton
Yes, but it is the liberals who have pulled the crap with benefit
premiums that have the members questioning heads or tails when they
walk into the voting booth
J ohn Flesher
Are Smokey and Sid going to continue their battle through election
day, J im or is that labour front going to be split too ?
Libs are lucky to be alive given the gas plant and ehealth to name but
two. But on a pure police and OPPA specific we will need to see how
they react to our assisting them to get out of the benefits mess they
have landed us in. This one is a tough one for sure to communicate
Tyler_Holmes
Doug. That's the frustrating part right. The other parties would have
done the same but the average people don't know or care about that.
They just go along with what the media prints. Sorry for double posts.
On iOS watchin my daughters at gymnastics.
Martin_Bain
We are being forced to choose the lesser of 3 evils here. Which one
will be the best for our memberships future
Labour is upset with the NDP for rolling the dice and even NDP
stalwart unions like ONA and the new UNIFOR and other unions like
OPSEU and CUPE are going to be working specific riding on a
"anyone but Hudak" mantra.
Todd_Provost
Our Association colleagues in the US have been dealing with this
dilemma for the past few years, where people's historical political
allegiances end up with them voting against their own self-interest
Smokey and Sid will never get along - Sid has the luxury of being
able to spout off without having an actual local membership. Smokey
has to support his troops
Dave Osborne
Martin... Don't forget about our kid's future as well... Unfortunately,
Tea Party Trickle Down economics is not the answer... Still leaving
the lesser of three evils.
J ohn Flesher
Osprey newspaper chain did a "10 key ridings" piece. Do we have key
ridings that we can target to get the vote out ???
Tyler_Holmes
Would those Unions "attacking" Hudak be enough for us to not
release our adds J im? I remember when the teachers had attack adds a
few years ago it always left a bad taste in my mouth. Not saying I
don't support the adds because I truly do but wondered what the
fallout could be?
Kenneth_Sexton
I think that we are going to chose the best Candidate for the riding.
Hudak could have good people like Garfield and end up taking this.
Brett_Alton
Someone asked me the other night. What happens if the Liberals get
in again and table their budget a second time and it gets squashed
again. I didn't know how to answer that one.
Oz - the Libs are hacking and slashing the ops with reckless abandon
also. No new money. For collective bargaining in the next few years if
they win. They have already slashed the public service by 5% and we
already have the lowest number of civil servants to population ratio in
the country
Doug_Lewis
PCs intend to gut us anyway if they get in, Tyler - like many have
said, identify the least of the 3 evils.
Tyler_Holmes Doug- gotcha. Makes sense.
Tyler - you ask the question that has been keeping me awake for
months, If we do nothing he will gut us if he wins and if we run the
ads and do some media he will gut us anyway. Saying that, we won't
be carpet bombing the airwaves with a million dollars in ads which we
will explain after the fact as a measured approach to Tim and not the
party
David Vittie Thats a great way to put it Doug.
Brett_Alton
It is safe to assume whichever party wins it will again be a minority
government
Kenneth_Sexton Ok. What is the lessor of three evils?
More than likely but don't rule out a small majority. If I was betting I
would say 70% minority and 30%majority. All depends on who gets
out the vote
J ames____J im__Christie Ken -the Libs.
Doug_Lewis
Ken, that's why other unions will be campaigning on the anyone but
Hudak line. Better to figure out which one has the best chance to
defeat the PC locally and flow support to him/her.
Tyler_Holmes
And what happens if we do such a good job of Anyone but Hudak an
the Libs get a majority. How does that affect us?
Thomas Kaudelka
Getting the vote out will be a big factor for sure, as it was in the last
federal election
6 scenarios and only one will hurt us in the short term. NDP minority
or majority=we win Liberal minority or majority -=we win PC
majority =we lose PC minority =we win because they will not pass a
budget and wynne and horvath (or their leaders) will go to the lg and
form a coalition government
Robert Letts
Have a liberal minority and hope that the PC's have the smarts to dtch
Hudak and get a better leader
Christopher Hoffman That would be the ideal Bob
Lib majority is my best case scenario at the moment Tyler - we have
been working this angle hard enough that I am meeting with their
leadership tonight at their request and not ours.
Kenneth_Sexton
Doug. Like I said earlier, you will not see many Libs and NDP around
my area.
Doug_Lewis
Many wanted to dump him when he lost in 2011 - another loss and
he's toast.
Thomas Kaudelka
Bob - who is the new candidate in your riding - anyone with name
cache?
Brett_Alton
Well if they ditch him then he can be one of the people in their next
ads who says he is out of a job and looking for work.
You are correct ken and that the same for large parts of rural Ontario.
But except for Doug Holliday in ethnic ole the pcs can't get a foothold
in Toronto...that's where the seats are.
Doug_Lewis
That's one riding, Ken, with a PC already. What we want is no new
PC ground gained.
J ames____J im__Christie Holyday
Robert Letts
the PC canidate is a lady named J yne Twinney who is a local
counselor and no relation to Ray Twinney
J ohn Flesher
Then he'd need to create 1 million, 1hundred thousand and one jobs,
Brett......
Thomas Kaudelka
gotcha. Interesting comment on Doug Holyday - he got through in
large part because of the support of the Ford brothers, whose fortunes
have changed drastically of late
Brett_Alton absolutely
Kenneth_Sexton J im and Doug. I hear ya..
J ohn Flesher
Other than the ads, J im, are we doing anything on electronic media
that is election related??
Robert Letts
In relation to Doug Holiday considering his name recognition in
Etobicoke he barely won, so with any luck that shows how hard it will
be in Toronto for the PC's
Did I miss anything new folks- I got a screen freeze..my meeting
guests are wondering why we are typing furiously and I have
explained because they dropped the ball and tried to mess with our
benefits.. A few heads dropped to the table.
Thomas Kaudelka Hopefully
Doug_Lewis Nice gotcha, boss! ;)
Tyler_Holmes Well played J im
Brett_Alton Touche' J im
Flesh - we will be hammering hard on social media and our tv ads will
most likely generate a bit of press. Our release will probably be picked
up.
Bruce Quigg What happens if the green party wins.......do we all get MM.
Paul Caccamo
I just checked electionprediction.org and they show etobicoke as "too
close to call" right now. I have found that site to be pretty accurate in
the past.
I can't stress enough how much we all. Need to push the telephone
townhall. It is better sometimes to hear the nuance in the language and
not the written word.
Robert Ferguson Nice to see the increased numbers signing on this evening.....
J ames____J im__Christie Darn Bruce -dropped the ball on that one...geez
Kenneth_Sexton
J im. Tell them if our Benefits don't work out and their elections we
will be looking for 1,000 new employees.
Bruce Quigg Focus Mr President... on the realities as you are.
It's a good site Paul. Folks. I have to sign off now and turn it over to
Martin and the rest of the board.... Goodnight all.
J ohn Flesher
Post the Telephone Townhall link on the Member Discounts page
................
Doug_Lewis A great idea, Flesh! ;)
Tyler_Holmes We have a Member Discount page? Haha
J ohn Flesher
Other than the PSB penalties it is the most read and they don't allow
free rides........
Dave Osborne
J im et al... Thanks for the clarification of my muddification...
Appreciated.
Todd_Provost
There will be co-ordinated messaging in the magazine, social media,
the Telephone Town Hall, Blast Outs, and direct on our website
Martin_Bain
Hopefully this election and the attacks on benefits and wages will get
some more members on the telephone townhall. The more informed
we all are, the better.
Doug_Lewis Nice to have you with us, Dave!
Thomas Kaudelka
Any Branch meetings between now and 04 J une are pefect
opportunities to spread the word on the Town Hall.

J ohn Flesher
Any chance of getting a flyer that we can print and post for our "old
school" members???
Martin_Bain Thanks for attending the chat all. Much appreciated.
Doug_Lewis
If 13 Branch can find a speaker phone, they may be able to have the
Town Hall on during their meeting J une 4th in Little Current.
Brett_Alton Couldn't miss this one Martin.
J osh J utras J ohn - I will create a flyer for the townhall and send out.
Tyler_Holmes Take care all.
Todd_Provost Flesh, the magazine pages are PDF and can be printed out
Doug_Lewis Sounds easy, J ohn - mention it on Wednesday on the conference call.
Doug_Lewis Good night, all.
Christopher Hoffman Night All be safe.
Brett_Alton night Doug see you at thegolf tournament you are in my foursome
Kenneth_Sexton Thanks all. Good Chat.
Todd_Provost Thanks for logging on, night all.
J ohn Flesher
Thank you Todd and J osh! Excellent! Good night! Will be sleeping on
Wednesday so Harold will be covering for me on the call, doug....
Brett_Alton good night
Thomas Kaudelka Take care folks. As always, stay safe

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J ames__J imChristie Good evening

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