John Laforet's Sit Down Interview with NDP Leadership Candidate and MPP Peter Tabuns

by John Laforet
posted on February 26th, 2009 at 11:22:18 am

Peter Tabuns is an interesting guy to say the least. He is ballsy which is something I admire in a politician. He isn’t afraid of a principled fight, but doesn’t go out seeking them. He’s won some, lost some but always found opportunity to continue his work, even in defeat. From talking to him, it also became clear he has a strong sense of what he thinks is the right thing to do, and deals the repercussions as they come. The ‘New Energy Economy’ is a plan that calls for a major re-tooling of industry in Ontario, and regardless of one’s support for the plan it is comprehensive, bold and a gamble.

As Bisson is an outlier if background were the determinant, so too is Tabuns an outlier in regards to policy.

Jeff Hume’s work behind the camera and in all the production related matters for this video has been fantastic. We will endeavor to put these videos on youtube when time permits as well.

In order to embed this video on your own site, simply copy the code below wherever desired. For a different size adjust the width and height options in the code.

Changing Gears For a Few Days – From Green Energy Act to the Ontario NDP Leadership Convention

by John Laforet
posted on February 25th, 2009 at 14:45:40 pm

Random I know, but planned, at least on my part. In Early February, I became concerned with the fact that the Ontario NDP Leadership race was not being properly covered by the media and that Ontario residents had limited opportunity to find out who the contenders for the NDP leadership were. While the NDP is the third party, in a majority parliament and in theory have a limited role to play in governing Ontario, the leader of the NDP will be running for Premier in 2011 and traditionally the NDP leader does play a large role in holding the government to account, like them or not. 

So on February 6th I contacted each of the NDP campaigns and requested an on camera sit down interview with each of them. All agreed. Today we wrapped up the last interview and the video production is underway. The plan is to roll out one of these conversations each day for four days with some of my thoughts in text as well. I’m not a New Democrat, and have never voted for the NDP, but have to say I found these conversations to be extremely interesting and hope you enjoy them as well. 

The Ontario NDP Leadership convention is being held in Hamilton March 6-8 and the plan as of now is to provide video and written coverage of the convention as well. 

download Code 46

The Green Energy Act stuff heated up on February 10th when I did my first media interview on the Premier’s use of “NIMBY” to slur Scarborough residents. It is a deeply important issue and has certainly sucked me into what is a serious fight for democratic rights and environmental protection in our province. I will be back on the Green Energy Act early next week. Until then, I encourage you to write Minister Smitherman, Premier McGuinty and your local MPP. Call on them to recognize the need for proper environmental assessments for renewable energy projects, to require setbacks to be set by citizens and experts – not the wind industry, and to remove the anti democratic ‘reverse onus’ clause. Of course there are many other issues, but each of these is a good start and it is completely indefensible for the government to move forward with their current position on these issues. 

download Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Watch Goldhawk Live – Tomorrow at 7pm

by John Laforet
posted on February 24th, 2009 at 16:58:40 pm

Goldhawk Live tomorrow night is shaping up to quite the event. You’ll have Franz Hartmann, – Executive Director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance, which has a “My Toronto Includes Windmills” Campaign going, Kristopher Stevens – Executive Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Assocation (a founding member of the Green Energy Act Alliance), Jim Prall – a University of Toronto lecturer on Climate Change and John Laforet – me.

I say with some certainty it should make for an interesting viewing experience. Tune in on Rogers Cable at 7pm.

Below is the Goldhawk blurb on tomorrow’s show.

Franz Hartmann, Executive Director, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Kristopher Stevens, Executive Director, Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, Jim Prall, University of Toronto and Community activist John Laforet.

Tune in on Wednesday February 25th at 7 PM and tell us what you think. Viewers are encouraged to call 416.446.7090 and express their opinions or ask the panel questions.

Goldhawk LIVE airs Monday thru Thursday at 7PM, exclusively on Rogers TV, Cable 10 in Toronto and 63 in Scarborough.

For complete broadcast details, please visit www.rogerstv.com