Round Our Way the Sun Shines Bright

As someone who straddles the border between the tech-savvy Generations X and Y, I am very familiar with and take full advantage of instant communication technologies. Through e-mail, texting, IM, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, and feeds to our party website, I can literally communicate with thousands of people across Saskatchewan in a matter of seconds using my Blackberry while waiting in traffic. The power to get our message out easily and efficiently is literally at my fingertips.

However, nothing beats a good handshake and speaking to somebody face to face.

This Friday we embark on the next stage in our preparation for the 2011 election- the “Round Our Way” 2009 Summer Tour. In the 18 months since the November 2007 provincial election our party has undergone major change. Following a series of renewal meetings across the province and a subsequent leadership campaign over the summer of 2008, the Party has managed to select a new Leader and a new provincial executive, adopt a Declaration of Principles, and become a fully-independent provincial party.

These changes have been largely welcomed by members of the Party, and this summer’s tour is a great opportunity to communicate the exciting new direction of the Saskatchewan Liberals directly to our members and to the people of Saskatchewan. The tour will see us travel to dozens of rural communities to identify areas of support and begin the process of building constituency associations. We must be prepared to fight the next election and provide the people of Saskatchewan with a real alternative to paternalistic, big government, big spending, business-as-usual, poll- chasing approach offered by Brad Wall’s Conservatives and the Lingenfelter NDP.

With just over two years and three summers left until the next election in November 2011, this will be an important summer to develop the base necessary to mount a strong and effective campaign to ensure that we have a Liberal voice in the Legislature. My excitement for the tour is rising every day as we schedule stops including coffee parties, factory tours, BBQs, music festivals, Pow-Wows, and even a motorcycle rally!

I hope you enjoy a great Saskatchewan summer and I look forward to seeing you 'round your way.'