Rally Text

I was honoured to give a speech at the pro-democracy rally in Newmarket on Saturday. Thank you to Liz, Neale, and Nick for the awesome job they did with organizing and hosting a peaceful and powerful demonstration.

Here is the video of my first public speech as the Newmarket-Aurora Green Party Candidate (though at a non-partisan event).

Good Afternoon. My name is Vanessa Long.

Thank you so much for coming out on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. To begin, I think it is important to give ourselves a big cheer for proving that we are not merely the ‘chattering elites’ and that though we are definitely Canadian, we are definitely NOT apathetic. So turn to the person next to you and thank them for coming out today. We totally rock.

In the last federal election in Newmarket, just over 60% of eligible voters actually took the time to go and vote. Now, I know that in this political climate it is hard for many of us to find a candidate that we really 'want' to vote for, one that we can ‘believe’ in, but to abandon our democratic right to vote is a frightening prospect indeed. And, unfortunately, one that many of those in power are depending upon.

I just wanted to take a quick poll of our crowd here:

How many of you, how many of you that showed up here, for how many of you is this your first political rally.

Mine too.

Okay, this one is a little trickier. For how many of you is this your first political rally in Newmarket-Aurora.

Me too.

And isn't that gratifying? Isn't that encouraging?

Because, personally, I don't believe that there is anything wrong with proroguing parliament - it has been done 105 times since Confederation after all.

But it is the cynicism and, well, you know, the 'duck and cover' tactics that have led to the last two prorogues that have got me all riled up.

Prorogues were traditionally called 'after' a ruling government had 'completed' its legislative agenda. All the bills had been passed and they were ready to give a new throne speech and move on.

But this parliament did not pass the bills that made up their stated agenda. They killed 37 pieces of their own legislation. They can hardly claim that they had finished their mandate.

But I don't want to focus on what is wrong with our Parliament and our democracy these days. We already know.

I want to focus on what is right.

And what is right is standing right here in front of me.

And standing and cheering and marching and chanting in similar crowds at 50 rallies all across Canada.

We are what is right with our democracy 'RIGHT NOW'.

To steal another quote, We are the change we have been waiting for. YOU are the change that I have been waiting for.

These rallies demonstrate the power of ONE individual to make a tremendous difference. One person started a Facebook page and ONE person decided that we should have our own rally right here in Newmarket-Aurora.

And you, you are ONE person who said enough is enough and came out to cheer and chant and make you presence known.

We are the change we have been waiting for and I, I am also ONE person. And I tell you now. I am ONE person who is looking forward to the next election campaign when WE get to make our voices heard to those in power. When the ONE becomes the WE and WE get to vote for change.

Thank you again for supporting democracy and accountability and transparency. Let's keep the pressure up and demand proper governance from those we have entrusted with our beloved country.
Thank you.