TCYL BLOGS!

We are now into the second half of Saturday’s OYL policy debates at SummerFling. So far we’ve seen a number of close up-down votes which shows the YLs here are engaged and thinking carefully about the issues being presented. We’ve discussed a diverse range of policies from the Spring bear hunt, increasing minimum sentances on imparied driving, and increasing funding for mental health care.

All of the presenters have done a good job of making their case and in many cases speaking without notes or reading verbatim the text of their policies. The questions have also been to the point and factually based and intelligent.

The for and against section of the debate has featured passionate speeches and TCYL members once again have not been afraid to raise our voices on issues we have strong opinions on. Max Naylor in particular just gave a passionate rebuttal to Kevin Leung’s policy. However, in the true greatness that is a policy debate in the OYL, sometimes a passionate speech is not enough to sway this highly educated and thoughtful crowd as Kevin’s policy passed to the next round.

During SummerFling, there are many ways to follow what TCYL is up to:

• Twitter: twitter.com/TCYL (make sure to follow the #sfling hashtag)

• Facebook: TCYL Fan Page

• YouTube: TCYL’s (second) YouTube Chanel

• And of course, this blog!

Hope you’ll find us!

A large a diverse group of Toronto Centre Young Liberals is currently in Kingston, Ontario for the Ontario Young Liberals annual SummerFling Policy Conference. This year, TCYL has two policies on the agenda. Check out the Policy section of the TCYL website for copies.

TCYL is also proud that we have four new TCYLers who are experiencing their first SummerFling: Senthan, Brinthan, Arul, and Brent.  We also have TCYL members with us who have been to several SummerFlings including Denise, Kaj, Jose, Angela, Max, Michael, Gloria, Adlan and Rakhman.

It’s going to be a great weekend and we look forward to meeting Young Liberals from across Ontario! Check back soon for more posts from the weekend!

Policy is the first step to making a difference. Being a first time policy author, I decided Toronto Region Policy Parliament was a chance for me to write about something that I thought could be improved.

I believe we need to increase the funding for Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), a service funded by the Ontario government that provides legal assistance to low-income people. This service is extremely important because it reinforces the value we hold as a democratic country. Some people may be poor, but they will not be denied access to the legal system because of their own financial limitations.

The policy to increase funding for LAO passed as one the provincial policies from Toronto Region at the Toronto Region Policy Parliament. This policy will move on to Summer Fling and it is there where I hope to count on your support for a better and more efficient legal aid system for low-income people. Show us that we are equal in the eyes of law and we will only continue to improve our weaknesses.

See you there (physically or spiritually) at Summer Fling 2010!

I was a bit nervous before the meeting, being the new member of a group of high intellect, whose goals were to help bring positive change to Canadian society. Yet that nervousness ceased with a handshake, as Chris Drew introduced himself and a couple of the members of the TCYL. I was able to get to know many of them, their educational backgrounds, accomplishments, goals and what they want to achieve as Young Liberals.

The meeting was very smooth, as it started off with a presentation by Micheal Ignatieff’s chief of staff, Peter Donolo. He was able to cultivate our knowledge, by sharing his experiences working with the Liberal party, Liberal party goals and his own personal goals, and answered our questions and doubts.

The meeting continued with the presentation of policies and a new initiative that would help to better our community provincially and/or federally. The conclusions of the policy presentation lead into the voting for four policies, two federal and provincial. Four great initiatives were chosen such as legal aid, revitalization of neighbourhoods, the strengthening of impaired driving laws and increasing funding for mental health. It was a great experience because I was able to converse with many TCYL members and I was able to merge into the group and express my own ideas without any concerns and doubts. The friendliness and teamwork among the members was truly impressive and it truly was a great start to something that I have passion for!

- Senthan Thirugnanasampanthan